Juniperus × pfitzeriana "Mint Julep" +/-50 cm

• Height: 1–1.5 m
• Spread: 3–4 m
• Habit: low, spreading, tiered
• Foliage: bright mint-green
• Light: full sun to part shade
• Soil: well-drained; sand, loam, chalk, acid to alkaline
• Hardiness: RHS H6, hardy in Estonia
• Growth: moderate
• Use: slopes, rock gardens, ground cover
• Data: source: RHS; foliage may irritate skin, wear gloves

Planting. Plant in spring (April–May) or early autumn while the soil is still warm. Choose a sunny or lightly shaded, well-drained position; dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball, keep the root collar level with the soil and space plants 2–3 m (up to 4 m when mature). Water in generously and mulch with bark or wood chips 5–7 cm deep.

Care. The cultivar is drought-resistant and undemanding; keep the soil moderately moist in the first year. 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; no cover is needed. Shade young plants with light fleece in March–April against bright sun and shake heavy wet snow off the branches. No pruning is needed; overlong shoots can be trimmed in spring.