The use and cultivation of common juniper

Common juniper is quite a surprising plant. It grows as a large shrub and even a tree, sometimes reaching a height of up to 15 meters. 

It has a columnar or conical shape, a thin reddish bark and prickly needles, which have a wide, gray-white band of stomata on top, and are shiny green underneath. In addition, in the third or fourth year after flowering, small dark blue cones ripen on the juniper.


The use of common juniper

Common juniper, and especially the Gold Cone variety, is a shrub that can be admired in parks as often as in private gardens. It is used similarly to the popular thujas that are planted in plots. Junipers arranged at appropriate distances form beautiful, evergreen hedges. 

Trees also look very nice in pots, e.g. on terraces. However, as it turns out, juniper is not only useful in gardens. In the past, juniper wood was used for the production of carpentry. 

As it is distinguished by exceptional hardness, it works great as a material for hangers, caskets, boxes, decorative lamps and lanterns. In turn, its fruits as they mature, when they take on an intense, dark shade of pomegranate or black, are an excellent seasoning for meats and soups. 

They are also an original addition to sauerkraut, pickled cucumbers, fish and marinades for game dishes. What's more, cones are an important ingredient in many alcohols, including gin.


Juniper cultivation

Junipers are shrubs or trees that feel best in positions well exposed to sunlight, in dry soils with an acid reaction. They also grow well on calcareous soils. They easily adapt to different conditions. Hence, they are neither demanding nor difficult to grow. 

The great advantage of these conifers is high resistance to low temperatures, drought and air pollution. Therefore, they are perfect for our climate. In order for the junipers to be really impressive, it is worth trying two simple treatments, namely mulching and fertilizing the soil.

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