Spartan Juniper, Spartan Chinese Juniper, Chinese Juniper 'Spartan',
Architectural, Juniperus chinensis ‘Spartan’ (Chinese Juniper) is a versatile and attractive juniper variety prized for its upright growth and rich green foliage. Its ease of care and adaptability make it a preferred choice for various landscape designs, particularly where a formal, vertical element is desired. It is also prized for its fast growth rate and elegant, pyramidal shape.
Juniperus belongs to the Cupressaceae family, which includes popular evergreen trees such as Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Red Cedar), Thuja occidentalis (Northern White Cedar), Cupressus sempervirens (Italian Cypress), Sequoia sempervirens (Coast Redwood), and Cupressus arizonica (Arizona Cypress).
Native: ‘Spartan’ is a cultivar of Chinese Juniper (Juniperus chinensis), native to China, Myanmar, Japan, Korea, and the Russian Far East.
Plant Type and Habit: Spartan Juniper is an evergreen conifer with a distinctively upright and narrow form. It is commonly used for its formal appearance and ease of maintenance.
Size: ‘Spartan’ typically reaches about 15-20 feet in height (4.5 to 6 meters) and 4-5 feet in spread (1.2 to 1.5 meters), making it an excellent choice for areas where vertical space is emphasized.
Cones: Junipers are dioecious with separate male and female plants. Male plants produce small pollen cones, while pollinated female plants produce small, blue-black berry-like cones, adding winter interest.
Foliage: The foliage is dense, with a deep green color and needle-like leaves. It remains vibrant throughout the year.
Bark: The bark is gray-brown, developing a slightly rough texture as the plant matures.
Uses: Ideal for privacy screens, hedges, windbreaks, foundation plantings, or as a specimen plant. Its narrow growth makes it suitable for small gardens or as a vertical element in landscaping.
Hardiness: It is hardy in USDA zones 4-9, adaptable to a range of environmental conditions.
Wildlife: Provides limited attraction for wildlife, though birds may feed on the cones.
Toxicity: Junipers are generally not toxic, but the cones should not be 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: Provides year-round greenery, acts as an effective screen, and requires minimal maintenance. Its fast growth rate and adaptability to various conditions make it a popular landscaping choice.
Light: Prefers full sun. 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, Trees |
Plant Family | Cupressaceae |
Genus | Juniperus |
Common names | Juniper, Chinese Juniper |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Height | 15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m) |
Spread | 4' - 5' (120cm - 150cm) |
Spacing | 60" (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, Hedges And Screens |
Garden Styles | Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, Coastal Garden |
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, Trees |
Plant Family | Cupressaceae |
Genus | Juniperus |
Common names | Juniper, Chinese Juniper |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Height | 15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m) |
Spread | 4' - 5' (120cm - 150cm) |
Spacing | 60" (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, Hedges And Screens |
Garden Styles | Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, Coastal Garden |
How many Juniperus chinensis ‘Spartan’ (Chinese Juniper) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
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Juniperus chinensis ‘Spartan’ (Chinese Juniper) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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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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