Juniper
The Shimpaku juniper, its relative the Sargent juniper, and the Nana variety of dwarf juniper are standard choices for bonsai training.
Most Popular Types
Shimpaku, Sargent, and Nana Juniper
Light
Juniper can take full sun.
Temperatures
Juniper is winter hardy and can be left outdoors throughout the year. It does not do well indoors for prolonged periods of time. Cover the tree if temps dip below 15°F.
Watering
Keep juniper bonsai consistently moist.
Toxicity
Juniper berries are poisonous, some more than others. Just because birds can eat them, doesn’t mean we or our pets should.
Growth
Choosing a dwarf variety of juniper makes bonsai training much easier. While the largest juniper measures over 100 ft tall, the varieties we recommend stay in the 2 ft range.
Origin
North America, Europe, northern Asia and Japan
Propagation
Juniper is most easily propagated by cuttings. Once the limb is cut, remove a bit of the stem bark and plant in standard potting soil. Keep in a sunny location at approximatey 70°F with high humidity and moist soil.
Dormancy
Juniper slows in growth during the winter.
juniper bonsai windswept
Windswept juniper
juniper bonsai aged
Aged look on bonsai trees can be done by stripping bark on the stem (shari).
juniper bonsai
This juniper bonsai has exposed roots, adding to the aged appearance.
Workshops at Growing Hobby
Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.