Juniperus squamata
| Juniperus squamata | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 13' |
| Width: | 16' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Juniperus squamata (common name: flaky juniper)
Propagation: The seed requires a period of cold stratification. The seed has a hard seedcoat and can be very slow to germinate, requiring a cold period followed by a warm period and then another cold spell, each of 2 - 3 months duration[1][2]. Soaking the seed for 3 - 6 seconds in boiling water may speed up the germination process[3]. The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Some might germinate in the following spring, though most will take another year. Another possibility is to harvest the seed 'green' (when the embryo has fully formed but before the seedcoat has hardened). The seedlings can be potted up into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow on in pots until large enough, then plant out in early summer. When stored dry, the seed can remain viable for several years[4].
Cuttings of mature wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, September/October in a cold frame. Plant out in the following autumn[4][1].
Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months[1].
Cultivation: Succeeds in most soils if they are well drained, preferring a neutral or slightly alkaline soil[4][3] and succeeding on chalk[5]. A drought tolerant plant once established, succeeding in hot dry positions[5].
This species is closely allied to J. recurva[3].
There are many named forms, selected for their ornamental value[6]. The type species is very slow growing in Britain[7] but the cultivar 'Meyeri' is somewhat faster and more successful.
Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Range: E. Asia - China, Himalayas, Afghanistan.
Habitat: Inner valleys of the Himalayas, 3000 - 4500 metres from Afghanistan to S.W. China[8]. Forests, thickets, valleys and roadsides in mountain areas from 1600 - 4500 metres[9].
Medicinal: The powdered plant is soaked for half an hour in water and then used for washing skin diseases[10].
Usage: The cultivar 'Blue Carpet' can be used as a ground cover plant in a sunny position[6].
The wood is very fragrant, it is used as a fuel and an incense[8][11][10]. The leaves are used as incense[10].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall
Flower Type: Dioecious
Also Known As: J. recurva squamata.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ Rushforth, Keith. Conifers. Batsford, 1991.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Mitchell, Alan. Conifers in the British Isles. Stationery Office Books, 1975.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Polunin, Oleg and Adam Stainton. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press, 1984.
- ↑ Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ Gupta, Basant. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press, 1945.