Juniperus communis Horstmann

With a picturesque and highly sophisticated appearance, Juniperus communis 'Horstmann' is a surprising common juniper that seems to be magically reincarnated as a small majestic tree, with a weeping habit. It produces long upright shoots, from which hang draperies of a soft bluish green. This hardy conifer grows relatively quickly, reaching dimensions of 3 m to 5 m (9.8 ft to 16.4 ft) in all directions. It can be planted in isolation to adorn a large slope, or placed in the centre of a flowerbed. This extraordinary conifer, perfectly adapted to difficult conditions, appreciates the sun and adapts to all well-drained soils, even poor, occasionally dry and calcareous ones.

Juniperus communis is an evergreen and spiny conifer belonging to the Cupressaceae family, which includes species such as cypresses and chamaecyparis. It is native to northern Europe, North America, and Asia Minor. In its natural environment, it has a quite variable habit of conical or prostrate form, reaching a height of 6 m (19.7 ft) and a width of 3 m to 4.5 m (9.8 ft to 14.8 ft). This species appreciates poor, sandy and/or calcareous soils and is not afraid of arid conditions.

'Horstmann', derived from this species, is very similar in appearance and development to Juniperus rigida 'Pendula'. After 10 years, it forms a mysterious and elegant shrub, with an initially upright habit and then very weeping, reaching a height of 2 m (6.6 ft) and a width of 1.5 m to 1.8 m (4.9 ft to 5.9 ft) at 10 years. It grows slowly when young, and then its growth accelerates slightly as it ages. An adult specimen will measure 4 m to 6 m (13.1 ft to 19.7 ft) in all directions, depending on the growing conditions. It consists of irregular and spreading layered branches, from which flexible and strongly weeping lateral branches originate. Over time, the lowest branches bend gracefully. Its foliage is a very soft bluish green, slightly lighter in spring. Its small leaves are rigid and very spiny, measuring 10 mm to15 mm (0.4 in to 0.6 in), and release a resinous and aromatic scent when rubbed. This variety does not produce fruit; only male plants have pollen sacs. Junipers have a shallow root system that does not tolerate transplantation well. This makes them fragile in the face of strong winds, and difficult to associate with perennials.

'Horstmann', with its exceptional ornamental qualities and ease of cultivation, deserves to be planted more often. Undemanding, it adapts to everything except dense shade and waterlogged soils. Its somewhat blurred and ghostly silhouette conquers space in the most difficult areas of the garden. It can be planted on a large slope, among rocks, above a wall, as it goes well with geometric lines and masonry structures. It can also be planted near a water feature. The structural qualities of conifers naturally shine in a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of forms, silhouettes, and textures over the fleeting appearance of flowers. These plants have a reassuring permanence that provides lasting structure to a flowerbed. They can be used to mark pathways and border terraces, easily replacing trimmed boxwood or holly. They go well with mahonias or unruly grasses with a very complementary temperament. The key is to play with volumes and colours.