Rocky Mountain juniper "Springbank" 20 cm pot

• Height: 3–5 m (2–2.5 m at 10 years)
• Spread: about 1 m (approx.)
• Habit: narrow conical
• Foliage: silvery blue-grey, steel-grey in winter
• Light: full sun
• Soil: moderately moist or dry, sandy, neutral
• Hardiness: USDA 5a
• Growth: fairly fast
• Use: specimen, group, heather garden
• Data: sources: Polish plant catalogue, species data

Planting. Plant in spring (April–May) or early autumn while the soil is still warm. Choose a sunny open position; dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball, keep the root collar level with the soil and space plants 1–1.5 m. Water in generously and mulch with bark or wood chips 5–7 cm deep.

Care. The cultivar tolerates drought and poorer soils but grows best in light, well-drained ground. Avoid waterlogging and a dry root ball, especially during the first two years; weed by hand and do not dig deeply, as conifer roots sit close to the surface.

Watering and feeding. In dry weather water once every 7–10 days (10–15 L per plant) and give a deep autumn watering before the freeze. Feed in spring with a conifer fertiliser containing magnesium and again in June; stop nitrogen from August.

Winter care and pruning. Fully winter-hardy, but loosely tie young plants in the first winters so that snow does not split the crown. Shade young plants with light fleece in March–April against bright sun and shake heavy wet snow off the branches. No pruning is needed; remove damaged branches only.