Montana Moss® Juniper, Montana Moss® Chinese Juniper, Chinese Juniper Montana Moss®, Juniperus chinensis 'SMNJCHM'
Juniperus chinensis Montana Moss® is a distinctive and versatile juniper cultivar, offering a unique ground-covering form with its dense, moss-like foliage. Its adaptability, low maintenance, and drought tolerance make it an appealing choice for various landscaping needs.
Juniperus chinensis Montana Moss® is distinguished by its unique, ground-hugging habit and dense, moss-like foliage, presenting a lush, textured appearance. It’s a cultivar prized for its unusual form and vibrant green color.
Native: The species Juniperus chinensis, commonly known as Chinese Juniper, is native to China, Myanmar, Japan, Korea, and the Russian Far East.
Plant Type and Habit: This evergreen conifer exhibits a low-growing, spreading habit. Unlike typical upright junipers, Montana Moss® creates a carpet-like effect, making it ideal for ground cover.
Size: Montana Moss® is a dwarf variety, growing only about 2-4 feet inches in height (60-120 cm) but spreading outwards to about 3-5 feet (90-150 cm), providing extensive ground coverage.
Foliage: The foliage of Montana Moss® is dense and soft, resembling moss. The leaves are fine and needle-like, offering a vibrant green color throughout the year.
Bark: The bark is not a significant feature in this low-growing variety, often hidden beneath the dense foliage.
Uses: Perfect for ground cover, rock gardens, cascading over walls, or as part of a mixed border. Its low stature makes it suitable for areas where vertical growth is not desired.
Hardiness: It is hardy in USDA zones 4-9, adaptable to a range of environmental conditions.
Wildlife: Provides limited attraction for wildlife.
Toxicity: Junipers are generally not toxic, but the cones can cause mild stomach upset if ingested in large quantities.
Deer and Rabbit: Relatively resistant to deer and rabbits, which makes it suitable for areas where these animals are a concern.
Drought: Once established, it has a good tolerance for drought conditions, making it a good choice for water-efficient landscapes.
Salt: Exhibits moderate salt tolerance, making it suitable for planting in coastal areas or landscapes where saline soil or salt spray may be present.
Invasiveness: This Juniper is not considered invasive. It grows in a controlled manner, maintaining its narrow form.
Benefits: Offers excellent ground coverage, low maintenance, and year-round visual interest. Its unique texture and form add variety to the landscape.
Light: Prefers full sun although light shade can be beneficial in hot, dry sites. Can tolerate partial shade, but growth may be less dense.
Soil: Thrives in well-drained soil. Adaptable to a wide range of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils.
Water: Requires moderate watering, especially when young. Established plants are relatively drought-tolerant. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
Fertilizer: Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Over-fertilization is unnecessary and can be harmful.
Pruning: Prune to shape in late winter or early spring. Regular heavy pruning is not required due to its natural shape.
Propagation: Propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.
Pests and Diseases: Junipers are often prone to twig blight and needle blight. They also act as hosts for cedar-apple rust and similar rust diseases during part of their lifecycle. In wet, poorly drained soils, root rot can be a problem. Bark and main stems may be affected by canker. Additionally, they may occasionally suffer from insect pests like aphids, bagworms, webworms, and scale insects.
Hardiness |
4 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Conifers, Shrubs |
Plant Family | Cupressaceae |
Genus | Juniperus |
Common names | Chinese Juniper, Juniper |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Height | 2' - 4' (60cm - 120cm) |
Spread | 3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm) |
Spacing | 36" - 60" (90cm - 150cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Salt, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers |
Garden Styles | Traditional Garden, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |
Hardiness |
4 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Conifers, Shrubs |
Plant Family | Cupressaceae |
Genus | Juniperus |
Common names | Chinese Juniper, Juniper |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Height | 2' - 4' (60cm - 120cm) |
Spread | 3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm) |
Spacing | 36" - 60" (90cm - 150cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Salt, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers |
Garden Styles | Traditional Garden, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |
How many Juniperus chinensis Montana Moss® (Chinese Juniper) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
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Juniperus chinensis Montana Moss® (Chinese Juniper) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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