Introduction

Torulosa Juniper grows into a narrow cone shape when young, then opens up as the plant ages. Although the main body of its foliage is as thick as if it had been sheared, delicately twisted, upright branches emerge gracefully all around the plant, in almost a flame-like manner. It may grow to 15 feet tall in 15 years, perhaps leaning to one side in a picturesque manner. Do not expect a row of them to provide a uniform shape since crown form varies.

General Information

Scientific name: Juniperus chinensis

Pronunciation: joo-NIP-er-us chih-NEN-sis

Common name(s): 'Torulosa' Juniper

Family: Cupressaceae

USDA hardiness zones: 5B through 11 (Fig. 2)

Origin: not native to North America

Invasive potential: little invasive potential

Uses: specimen; screen; container or planter; espalier; highway median

Availability: not native to North America

Description

Height: 10 to 15 feet

Spread: 6 to 10 feet

Crown uniformity: irregular

Crown shape: pyramidal, upright/erect

Crown density: open

Growth rate: moderate

Texture: fine

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite

Leaf type: simple

Leaf margin: entire

Leaf shape: scale-like

Leaf venation: none, or difficult to see

Leaf type and persistence: evergreen, fragrant

Leaf blade length: less than 2 inches

Leaf color: green

Fall color: no color change

Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: brown, yellow, green

Flower characteristics: not showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: cone, oval, round

Fruit length: less than .5 inch

Fruit covering: dry or hard

Fruit color: blue

Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; not showy; fruit/leaves not a litter problem

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: branches don't droop; not showy; typically multi-trunked; thorns

Pruning requirement: little required

Breakage: resistant

Current year twig color: green

Current year twig thickness: thin

Wood specific gravity: unknown

Culture

Light requirement: full sun, partial sun, or partial shade

Soil tolerances: sand; loam; clay; alkaline; acidic; well-drained

Drought tolerance: high

Aerosol salt tolerance: high

Other

Roots: not a problem

Winter interest: no

Outstanding tree: no

Ozone sensitivity: unknown

Verticillium wilt susceptibility: resistant

Pest resistance: resistant to pests/diseases

Use and Management

Torulosa juniper develops into a showcase specimen without pruning and is probably best used for this purpose. Planted on 4- to 6-foot centers, it can develop into a thick screen which could be useful along a driveway, where a narrow, bright green screen is often needed to create privacy.

Growing best in full sun, more open in partial shade, torulosa juniper needs well-drained soil or it will decline from root rot. It tolerates alkaline soil and is quite drought-tolerant but root regeneration is slow after transplanting from a field nursery. It is frequently offered in containers from a nursery.

Torulosa juniper can be propagated by cuttings.

Pests

Mites and bagworms can infest the foliage.

Diseases

Torulosa juniper is susceptible to root rot and bacterial blight.