Maintaining the Vitality and Neatness of Juniper Shrubs through Pruning Techniques
One of the advantages of juniper bushes, apart from being ignored by deer, is their self-sufficiency. Junipers almost set the standard for "plant and forget" evergreens, requiring minimal watering or fertilization once established. Their carelessness extends to pruning as well.
While they may require pruning if a branch dies, breaks, or obstructs other plants or structures, junipers generally don't demand much attention. They are available in various sizes and shapes - mainly upright, shrubby, and low-growing. These junipers develop a robust and stable frame due to their slow growth, thereby reducing the need for pruning.
However, the issue arises when the incorrect juniper is planted in an inappropriate location. For example, a shrubby juniper might obstruct a walkway with its branches or an upright juniper might obstruct a window. Choosing the right juniper for the right spot can significantly reduce the need for pruning. Here are some points to consider while pruning junipers.
Tim Wood is a horticulturist and a member of the leadership team at Spring Meadow Nursery.
Pruning Tips for Junipers
Follow these tips for determining the ideal timing for pruning, the appropriate tools, and how to make your cuts.
- Pruning is most effective during dry periods to avoid spread of foliar diseases. Prune junipers during the growing season, not during the coldest part of winter, preferably in early spring, before new growth begins.
- Use bypass pruners or loppers and cut branches at a 45-degree angle.
- Avoid excessive pruning, especially in conspicuous areas. New growth will not emerge from bare, old wood to hide any gaps resulting in the foliage.
- When thinning dense growth, ensure any cuts are hidden by remaining greenery.
- Prune branches selectively rather than indiscriminately. This results in a more natural-looking plant. Wholesale shearing results in plants with dense foliage atop dead, twiggy branches. Additionally, frequently sheared junipers are at a higher risk of needle browning from cold, drying winter winds.
- It is preferable to prune in small amounts annually or semi-annually rather than letting the plant become overgrown and require severe pruning.
Types of Junipers to Prune
Different types of junipers require different pruning techniques. Here's how to prune juniper topiaries, groundcovers, upright, and shrubby juniper plants.
Topiaries
It's easiest to start with a nursery-grown specimen that is already trained into a topiary, then trimming as needed to maintain the artistic form (generally two to four times a year, depending on the growth rate and length of the growing season). If fashioning a topiary from scratch, use a template to indicate where cuts will be needed and, starting from the top, trim gradually and in small amounts. Do not cut so deeply as to reveal bare stems, which will not grow back.
Groundcovers
Low-growing groundcover junipers seldom need pruning except to remove dead tips resulting from winter damage or to keep them from encroaching on other plants, paths, driveways, or structures. However, removing dead foliage beneath living stems can aid air circulation and improve the overall health of the plant.
Upright
To reduce the height of an upright juniper through crown reduction, cut back the leader to a junction where an upward-facing side branch is attached. Encourage the secondary stem to become the new leader by reducing the size of nearby upward-facing side branches that would otherwise compete with the new leader. To control width, cut side branches back to a junction where secondary stems are attached.
Another reason to prune is to encourage thicker growth. "As a young plant under 6 feet in height, I would recommend tipping the new growing tips to encourage more branching and create a full-bodied plant," says horticulturist Tim Wood, leadership team member at Spring Meadow Nursery, a leading grower of woody plants. "Using a sharp pair of pruning shears, simply nip off the tip [about 1 inch] of each branch. Doing this two or three times a year, during the growing season, creates more branching and foliage and a denser plant."
Shrubby
These medium-sized shrubs require the most pruning among junipers. They tend to be faster growing and can develop lengthy, frond-like branches that look great in certain situations but may appear overgrown in others. For those who prefer a more formal look, cultivars with round shapes are available and need no pruning to maintain their shape.
For a tidy, full-bodied plant, Wood recommends pruning shoots back within the framework of the shrub's habit. "I recommend pruning hard and shaping them early in the season, and once again midseason to tame any excessively long, untidy branches. How much you prune is up to you and your taste," Wood says. "The most important thing is to do the pruning and shaping well before they reach the maximum height you want. If you neglect them, or wait too long, it will be hard to get them looking good again."
- In addition to junipers, other plants that require minimal care include trees and shrubs with vines, making gardening a less demanding task.
- BHG (Better Homes and Gardens) suggests caring for trees and shrubs collectively, emphasizing the importance of regular pruning to maintain their health and shape.
- For those with larger gardens, caring for trees and shrubs might seem daunting, but with the right information and tools, it can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
- If you're looking to expand your garden, consider adding trees and shrubs that require minimal pruning, such as junipers, to reduce the overall maintenance needed.
