Juniperus chinensis

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Juniperus chinensis
Chinese juniper shoot, showing juvenile (needle-like) leaves, adult scale leaves, and young male cones

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnospermae
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order:
Cupressales
Family: Cupressaceae
Genus: Juniperus
Section:
Juniperus sect. Sabina
Species:
J. chinensis
Binomial name
Juniperus chinensis

Juniperus chinensis, the Chinese juniper (圆柏, 桧) is a

family Cupressaceae, native to China, Myanmar, Japan, Korea and the Russian Far East.[1] Growing 1–20 metres (3+1⁄2–65+1⁄2 feet) tall, it is a very variable coniferous evergreen
tree or shrub.

The Juniperus chinensis is one of the top species used in the Japanese art of bonsai, referred to as "Shimpaku." Among the multiple cultivars of Shimpaku found in Japan, the most desirable due to its tight, fine foliage and excellent growing habits, is the "Itoigawa" variety.[2]

Juniper bonsai grafted with Itoigawa foliage. This tree is estimated to be 150–250 years old.

Growth

The

dioecious (either male or female plants), but some individual plants produce both sexes of flowers. The blue-black berry-like cones grow to 7–12 mm in diameter, have a whitish waxy bloom, and contain 2–4 seeds; they mature in about 18 months. The male cones, 2–4 mm long, shed their pollen
in early spring.

Cultivation and uses

This popular

Mediterranean style homes, and now commonly found along both the West and East Coast
in beach and coastal areas.

The Chinese juniper is widely used in bonsai, both as individual plants, such as the 250-year-old "Omiya tree" in the

US National Arboretum. The cultivar 'Shimpaku' is a very important bonsai
subject.

AGM cultivars

The following cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:[3]

  • 'Aurea' (golden Chinese juniper)[4]
  • 'Blaauw'[5]
  • 'Grey Owl'[6]
  • 'Kaizuka'[7]
  • 'Plumosa Aurea'[8]
  • 'Pyramidalis'[9]

Juniperus × pfitzeriana

The hybrid between Juniperus chinensis and Juniperus sabina, known as Juniperus × pfitzeriana (Pfitzer juniper, synonym J. × media), is also very common as a cultivated plant. This hybrid grows only as a shrub, never a tree, making it suitable for smaller gardens:

Gallery

  • As a 250-year-old bonsai in the Birmingham Botanical Gardens
    As a 250-year-old bonsai in the
    Birmingham Botanical Gardens
  • J. × pfitzeriana 'Old Gold'
    J. × pfitzeriana 'Old Gold'
  • J. chinensis 'Expansa Variegata'
    J. chinensis 'Expansa Variegata'
  • Juniperus chinensis var. kaizuka
    Juniperus chinensis var. kaizuka

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Juniperus chinensis.
  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42227A2962948.en
    . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ "What the HECK is a Shimpaku Juniper? | Bonsai-U". YouTube.
  3. ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 56. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  4. ^ "RHS Plant Selector Juniperus chinensis 'Aurea' AGM / RHS Gardening". Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
  5. ^ "RHS Plant Selector Juniperus chinensis 'Blaauw' AGM / RHS Gardening". Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
  6. ^ "RHS Plant Selector Juniperus 'Grey Owl' AGM / RHS Gardening". Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
  7. ^ "RHS Plant Selector Juniperus chinensis 'Kaizuka' AGM / RHS Gardening". Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
  8. ^ "RHS Plant Selector Juniperus chinensis 'Plumosa Aurea' AGM / RHS Gardening". Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
  9. ^ "RHS Plant Selector Juniperus chinensis 'Pyramidalis' AGM / RHS Gardening". Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
  10. '^ "Juniperus × pfizeriana 'Old Gold'". RHS. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  11. ^ "Juniperus × pfizeriana 'Sulphur Spray'". RHS. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Juniperus_chinensis&oldid=1215121339"