Virginia juniper 'Golden Spring'

Virginia juniper 'Golden Spring' (Juniperus Virginiana 'Golden Spring') – a cultivar of Virginia juniper of the genus Juniperus, family Cupressaceae. Obtained in 1990 at Kenwith Nursery by crossing J. virginiana x Juniperus × pfitzeriana.

It is a dwarf, slow-growing evergreen coniferous shrub. In youth the crown is vase-shaped, in maturity cushion-shaped. Branches are not densely arranged. Mature plants reach about 50 cm in height, with a diameter of about 150 cm.

Foliage is scale-like, green, in young plants with a golden tint. The shrub's decorative features are provided by golden-lemon or cream-colored young shoots, which in spring contrast with the older foliage.

Hardiness: 4-7 (to -34°C)

Location: drought-tolerant, undemanding to soil and moisture, but prefers fresh clayey and loamy, calcareous and sandy soils. Tolerant of urban conditions. Shade-tolerant.

Planting: recommended spacing between plants 0.5 or 1.2-2 m. Planting depth – 70 cm. Drainage if necessary: crushed brick or sand, in a layer 15-20 cm. Soil mix: topsoil, peat and sand in the ratio 1:2:1. Does not tolerate transplanting well, even with a root ball.

Care: in spring (April-May) apply nitroammophoska 30-40 g/m2. In dry summers it is recommended to water the plant 2-3 times per season and perform evening spraying once a week. Mulch with peat or sawdust to a depth of 5-8 cm.

Pruning: tolerates heavy pruning and clipping well, retains shape for a long time.

Diseases: rust (Arcerid (50 g per 10 L of water) – spray 4 times at 10-day intervals), Shütte, Biatorrellal and Nectria canker, alternaria.

Pests: aphids (Fitoverm (2 g per 1 L of water) – spray twice at 10-14 day intervals), leaf-mining moth (Decis (2.5 g per 10 L) – spray twice at 10-14 day intervals), spider mite (Karate (50 g per 10 L)), scale insects (carbofos (70 g per 10 L of water)), galls, sawfly, shoot moth, pine looper.

Propagation: propagated by seed and by grafting. With spring sowing seeds germinate after a year. Without treatment 50% of cuttings take root.

Use: Suitable for growing in containers on roofs and streets. Used for stabilizing slopes and pond banks, as well as for plantings in rock gardens and rockeries. Planted in large groups it can create a smooth bluish carpet.