Popular perennial - Cossack juniper Tamaristsifolia
The natural zone of distribution of the Cossack juniper, one of the most popular species of ephedra in landscape design, covers the south of Europe, west and center of Asia, east of Siberia. Juniper Cossack Tamariscifolia is a popular perennial with a spread-out crown, needle-like needles and a non-capricious character.
In nature, the shrubs classified as "Cossack juniper" are low plants:
- with a wide squat crown;
- adapted to life at altitudes from 1 to 3.5 thousand meters above sea level;
- settling on steep slopes;
- undemanding to the composition of the soil;
- easily tolerating any neighborhood;
- winter-hardy and drought-resistant.
The Tamariscifolia juniper or Juniperus Sabina Tamariscifolia shown in the photo belongs to evergreen coniferous cultures and fully repeats the appearance and life features of its wild ancestors.
Juniper Tamariscifolia Description
Adult specimens juniper Cossack Tamariscifolia can form a dome-like, dense crown. Skeletal branches running parallel to the soil are covered with short, erect shoots. They, in turn, are densely covered with green needle-like needles.
If you look closely at the juniper needles, you will notice that each of them is slightly curved, and a narrow white stripe runs along the front side. Three short needle-like needles grow from each whorl, which makes juniper branches fluffy and decorative at any time of the year.
According to the description of the Tamariscifolia juniper, varieties with green of varying intensity and bluish needles are known in the culture.
In mid-spring, the juniper blooms. The cones of this variety have a rounded shape, reach a diameter of 5–7 mm and, as they ripen, change their gray-green color to dark blue tones. Ripe fruits are covered with a waxy bloom that gives the berry a bluish tint. Like wild varieties, Tamariscifolia buds are poisonous.
The shrub has a deep root system, thanks to which the juniper, in the most difficult conditions, not only remains on the ground, but is also able to receive water and food from the soil. Plants of this variety:
- do not impose special requirements on the composition of the soil;
- need very modest care;
- adapted, withstanding frosts down to –30 ° C, to harsh Russian winters;
- not afraid of drought and winds.
In addition, the Cossack Juniper Tamariscifolia tolerates cultivation in the polluted city air and in direct sunlight.
It is optimal when the soil is neutral or slightly acidic on the site, rather loose and fertile. If this is not the case, the juniper will not stop growing. It tolerates increased soil acidity, even salinization, cultivation on poor sandstones and in partial shade. Thanks to such unpretentiousness, the culture takes root well both in summer cottages, and in city squares, and even in containers for landscaping.
In areas with stagnant rain and melt water, with flooding, the Cossack juniper looks depressed and may die.
Planting Tamariscifolia juniper and crop care
For planting the Cossack juniper, open sunny areas or places in light partial shade are chosen, where the plant will receive enough light. Planting holes and trenches are dug under the bushes so that there is a gap of at least 60 cm between the seedlings for a live border and about 1.5–2 meters for single bushes.
The dimensions of the pit are determined by the dimensions of the root system. Usually, a 70 by 70 cm pit is enough for the specimens offered by nurseries. A drainage layer is made at its bottom, pouring about 20 cm of crushed brick, expanded clay or coarse sand. A mound of substrate is placed on top of:
- 2 parts of peat;
- 1 part sand;
- 1 part of turf land.
The backfill of the hole is carried out so that the root collar of the bush is at or slightly above the soil surface.
Care after planting the Tamariscifolia juniper includes:
- watering, especially abundant in the first week of the plant's stay in the ground;
- removing weeds regularly until the crown forms a dense cushion covering the near-trunk circle;
- gentle loosening of the soil near the plant;
- single spring feeding with a complex mixture for coniferous crops.
Care becomes easier as you get older. Juniper is watered only in hot weather. The plant treats sprinkling well, responds to feeding in the second half of spring and tolerates a haircut without problems.
If the year turned out to be rainy, special attention is paid to the prevention of fungal diseases when caring for the Cossack Juniper Tamariscifolia. For this, the shrub must be treated with a fungicide and sanitized.
The root zone of young bushes is sprinkled for the winter peat, and the crown is covered with spruce branches.
A selection of photos of Tamariscifolia juniper in landscape design
Ground cover varieties of juniper are very popular, and the Tamariscifolia shrub is no exception. Attractive, forming squat, dense cushions or even carpets, this variety is versatile.
Plants of this variety can be planted at the foot of alpine slides and on lawns as eye-catching decorative elements.
In landscape design, Cossack Juniper Tamariscifolia is indispensable for creating wide low curbs for zoning the site.
A plant with tenacious roots and a creeping crown is suitable for strengthening and decorating slopes, including stony ones.
The unpretentious and slow-growing juniper feels great in containers used for landscaping spacious, bright halls, areas in front of public buildings, squares, and memorial sites.
Cossack juniper is often used as a base for garden bonsai. The result of painstaking work is a spectacular fancy-shaped standard tree.
Ephedra will not lose its decorative effect when grown along the highway and will be effective in group planting with other summer plants, shrubs and trees.
When planning the design of the site, you need to remember that cones and even juniper needles can be dangerous to humans.
Therefore, the plant is not planted in the immediate vicinity of playgrounds and on the territory of educational institutions.