Juniperus conferta Schlager

The Juniperus conferta 'Schlager' is a beach juniper with a creeping and spreading habit. Over time, it forms a beautiful carpet with scale-like and flexible branches, covered in a superb silver-green foliage. This slow-growing conifer is very hardy in well-drained soil. It is an excellent ground cover for decorating a large slope, a rockery, or a seaside container, as it is perfectly adapted to the soil salinity and sea spray. However, it adapts very well to many climates, far from the shores. It prefers full sun and a light, not too chalky, even poor soil.

The Juniperus conferta, called "shore juniper" by English speakers, is an evergreen and prostrate conifer belonging to the cypress family, which includes similar species such as cypresses and chamaecyparis. It is native to certain dune regions of Japan and Sakhalin Island in Russia. In its natural environment, it is a dense plant, 25 to 45 cm (9.8 to 17.7 in) tall, spreading by creeping, with its ramified stems slowly spreading to form a low bush with a span of 2.20 m (7 ft 2 in). This species appreciates coastal climates, poor, light, sandy and/or slightly acidic soils but loses its foliage in arid conditions.

The 'Schlager' juniper, derived from this species, forms a spreading shrub in 10 years, measuring 30 cm (11.8 in) tall with a span of over 2 m (6 ft 7 in). It grows slowly when young, then the growth accelerates slightly as it ages. The spreading branches are initially upright, then arching, giving the foliage a very flexible appearance. They easily root upon contact with the ground, allowing it to eventually cover large areas. Its feathery foliage consists of two types of leaves; the juveniles have a scale-like appearance while the adult leaves are needles. Its small, tightly packed juvenile leaves release a resinous and aromatic smell when rubbed. In spring, the bright green young shoots emerge from silver-green foliage. Junipers have a shallow root system that makes them fragile when transplanted, in strong winds, and difficult to associate with perennials.

The creeping juniper 'Schlager' is an extraordinary conifer, of great frugality, that conquers space in challenging areas as long as they are sunny. While it is particularly suitable for a seaside garden, it can be adopted without hesitation in any light soil, on a large slope, among rocks, above a wall or a low wall, or near a swimming pool, as it harmonizes well with geometric lines and masonry structures. It can also be installed near a water feature, overhanging a rocky scree. It also adapts very well to container cultivation. The true graphic qualities of conifers naturally impose themselves in the design of a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of forms, silhouettes, and textures over the dance of blooms. These plants, with their reassuring permanence, structurally and durably shape a flowerbed, mark pathways, border terraces, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood or holly. They complement well with tousled grasses like marram grass and stipa, with very complementary temperaments. It's all about playing with volumes and colours.