Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis)
Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis) is a conifer that can grow higher than 15m tall and 3m – 8m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis).
This plant is commonly known as Chinese juniper.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 20-50 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: Chinese juniper
Scientific name: Juniperus chinensis
Plant type: Conifers
Habit: Columnar / Upright
Height: Higher than 15m
Spread: 3m – 8m
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: Architectural
Planting type: Low Maintenance
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis) – ROVER_JP from Fukuoka, Japan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Other types of Juniperus to consider:
See all Juniperus
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.
-
The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
-
Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
-
The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
-
Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Juniperus chinensis likes to grow in well drained soil.
Sunlight
Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis) – Yogdes, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
