Juniperus squamata Holger

Juniperus squamata 'Holger', also known as the scale-like juniper, is an evergreen bush with a spreading, ample, and highly branched habit, whose scale-like foliage displays two contrasting colours in spring. Its light yellow young shoots appear on blue-green branches with silvery reflections, gracefully arched. It is perfect for covering a slope, filling a rockery, or adding volume to a large bed. This relatively fast-growing conifer is a hardy, undemanding, and highly ornamental plant. It appreciates the sun and a well-drained soil, even poor, while retaining some freshness.

The scale-like juniper, also known as the Nepal juniper, owes its name to its old needles that it keeps at the base of the branches. It is an evergreen species native to the mountains of the Himalayas and China, at an altitude between 1600 and 4900m (5249ft 4in and 16076ft). It is a highly hardy conifer (up to -30°C (-22 °F)) and undemanding, belonging to the Cupressaceae family.

'Holger' forms a beautiful, wide and spreading, yet compact bush after 10 years, measuring about 60cm (23.6in) in height with a span of 1m (3ft 4in), sometimes more depending on the growing conditions. It grows rapidly when young, then its growth slows down a bit as it ages. At maturity, it can reach up to 2m (6ft 7in) in all directions. Its branches, arranged in large, flexible fronds with a feathery appearance, are completely covered with short and rigid branches, dressed with tightly packed and imbricated small leaves. The foliage has a green-blue-silver shade from summer to winter, contrasting with the light yellow young spring shoots. Junipers have a shallow root system, which can sometimes make it difficult to associate them with perennials.

The 'Holger' juniper is an undemanding conifer, easy to cultivate on a slope or in a rockery, as long as the soil remains fairly moist and it is placed in a sunny location. It can also be planted above a wall or near a pool, as it blends well with geometric lines and masonry structures. It can also be installed near a water feature, overlooking a rocky scree. The true graphic qualities of conifers naturally emerge in the design of a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes, and textures over the dance of blooms. These plants, with their reassuring permanence, provide lasting structure to a bed, mark the pathways, border the terrace, easily substituting for the strong presence of trimmed boxwood. They can be combined with unruly grasses and heathers, whose temperament is highly complementary. The key is to play with volumes and colours.

Tips: Water regularly during the first two years, and in case of prolonged drought. While it can tolerate occasional dry soil in cool climates, this conifer will be disappointing in Mediterranean climates, which are too dry and hot in summer.