Juniperus communis Arnold

Juniperus communis 'Arnold', is a common juniper bush with an elegant and slender columnar habit, not very tall but beautifully coloured in green-gray-blue. While slow-growing, this conifer shows great resistance to cold and heat. Extremely undemanding, it even thrives in poor, rocky, and limestone soils and has few natural enemies. Showcase it by planting it as a standalone in a small garden, in the background of a large rock garden, or plant it in groups of three to mark an entrance or pathway.

Juniperus communis is an evergreen and spiny conifer belonging to the cypress family, which includes related species such as cypresses and chamaecyparis. It is native to northern Europe, North America, and Asia Minor. In its natural environment, it has a fairly variable habit, conical or spreading, reaching heights of 6 meters (19 feet 8 inches) and widths of 3 to 4.50 meters (9 feet 10 inches to 14 feet 10 inches). This species thrives in poor, sandy, and/or limestone soils and does not mind arid conditions.

The 'Arnold' juniper, derived from this species, forms a beautiful bush with a narrow columnar habit after 10 years, measuring approximately 2.50 metres (8 feet 2 inches) in height with a spread of 60 centimetres. It grows slowly when young, at a rate of 10 centimetres (3.9 inches) in height and 5 centimetres (2 inches) in width per year. Its growth accelerates slightly as it ages. A mature specimen will measure approximately 3 metres (9 feet 10 inches) in height and 80 centimetres (31.5 inches) in diameter. Its foliage consists of small, very sharp needles, tightly packed together, and emits a resinous and aromatic odour when rubbed. In spring, the young shoots emerge light green with a very pale underside, gradually turning a green-grey-blue colour. The fruits are borne by the female plants. They are scaly berries called galbuli, brown-black and rich in essential oil with numerous therapeutic properties. Its bark is grey-brown and peels over time, revealing a reddish-brown wood. Common junipers have a shallow root system that makes them vulnerable to strong winds and difficult to associate with perennials.

The 'Arnold' juniper is a hardy and elegant conifer that can be welcomed into the garden with its perfect habit and density. It is perfect anywhere. Its slow growth makes it ideal as a standalone, on a slope, in a large rock garden, or planted in groups of 3 specimens alongside shorter, rounded or bushy conifers. It also grows very well in containers and tolerates pruning, allowing for numerous uses. The architectural qualities of conifers naturally shine in the design of a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of forms, silhouettes, and textures over flowers. These plants provide lasting structure to a flowerbed, mark pathways and border terraces, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood or holly. They pair well with mahonias or wild grasses with very complementary forms. They can also be associated with shade-tolerant, drought-tolerant perennials such as periwinkles, Euphorbia amygdaloides purpurea, epimediums, or Trachystemon orientalis. The key is to play with volumes and colours.