Juniperus squamata Loderi

Juniperus squamata 'Loderi' is a lovely variety of Flaky Juniper which distinguishes itself by its modest size and variable habit, in a more or less narrow pyramid shape that is generally slender. Attractive throughout the year, it is adorned with a dense foliage, with a fine texture and a soft green-blue colour. This conifer allows for multiple uses in the garden and in pots, in all small spaces that it permanently structures with great elegance. Hardy, undemanding and highly ornamental, it appreciates the sun and a well-drained, even poor, soil, while still keeping some freshness.

Flaky Juniper, also known as Himalayan 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 4900 m (5249 and 16076 ft). It is a very hardy mountain conifer (down to -30 °C (-22 °F)) and undemanding in terms of soil, although it does not tolerate excessively hot and dry climates. Like all junipers, it belongs to the Cupressaceae family.

'Loderi' forms a beautiful bush with multiple shoots after 10 years. Its habit is generally pyramidal, rather narrow but compact, measuring about 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) in height and 80 cm (31.5 in) in width at the age of 10, sometimes more depending on the growing conditions and pruning. It grows rapidly when young, then its growth slows down a bit as it ages. At maturity, it reaches 2 to 3 m (6 ft 7 in to 9 ft 10 in) in height and 1 to 1.5 m (3 ft 4 in to 4 ft 11 in) in width. Its ascending branches, with a feathery appearance, are completely covered with short and rigid twigs, dressed with tightly packed and imbricate small leaves. The foliage is a green-blue-silver shade from summer to winter. Junipers have a shallow root system, which sometimes makes it difficult to associate them with perennials.

The 'Loderi' juniper is an undemanding conifer and easy to grow as long as the soil remains fairly moist and it is placed in a sunny location. It can be adopted, for example, at the corner of a house or near a swimming pool, as it goes well with geometric lines and masonry structures. It can also be grouped together to create a small forest at the corner of a small garden, or grown in a container on a terrace. The true graphic qualities of conifers naturally impose themselves in the design of a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes, and textures over the dance of flowers. These plants with their reassuring permanence structurally enhance beds, mark pathways and border terraces, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood. They can be combined with wild grasses and heathers whose temperament is very 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 sporadically dry soil in cool climates, this conifer will be disappointing in climates that are too dry or hot in summer.