Juniperus horizontalis Limeglow

Juniperus horizontalis 'Limeglow' is a variety of horizontal juniper that is attractive due to its changing foliage colour. It catches attention in spring with its unique lemon-green young shoots, which turn golden in summer. In winter, the foliage takes on a more or less purple bronze hue. A compact and slow-growing bush, it is an easy plant to succeed with, as it accepts varied growing conditions. It is not demanding when it comes to soil, as long as it is well drained, and it can grow in full sun or partial shade, and it is resistant to both cold and drought.

Juniperus horizontalis is an evergreen and prostrate conifer belonging to the Cupressaceae family. This family includes other common species, such as cypresses, arborvitaes, and false cypresses, as well as less known ones, such as the majestic Fitzroya from South America or the Callitris from Australia. This horizontal juniper is native to the northern regions of North America, which explains its excellent hardiness (-25° C to -30° C (-13° F to -22° F). In its natural environment, it has a prostrate and wide-spreading habit, reaching a thickness of 45 cm (17.7 in) and a spread of 2 m to 4 m (6.6 ft to 13.1 ft). This species prefers cool climates, poor, sandy and/or limestone soils, and is not afraid of arid conditions.

'Limeglow' is derived from this species and inherited its qualities. Growing slowly, by the age of 10 it will have formed a bushy and wide-spreading shrub, 30 cm (11.8 in) tall and 80 cm to 100 cm (31.5 in to 39.4 in) wide (1.5 m (4.9 ft) at maturity after 20 years). Its foliage consists of soft and non-prickly needles, displaying beautiful lemon-green shoots when they emerge. It then forms a bright tuft, with shoots sprouting in all directions, giving it a pleasantly tousled appearance. These shoots turn golden yellow during summer, providing a highly decorative focal point. In winter, the shrub's colour changes to a more or less purple bronze hue, giving this conifer a chameleon-like aspect.

'Limeglow' is a small decorative conifer that is destined to illuminate rockeries with its luminous foliage or to fill a slope with other junipers to create colour associations. Less spreading than some other strictly horizontal varieties, it presents a balanced volume of vegetation, with a height representing one third of its width. These pleasant proportions will create a beautiful visual effect when planted in a container. In the ground, its preferred location will be the rockery, due to its low vigour, limited development, and the touch of colour it will bring. In a contemporary garden, it can be planted with other colourful plants to create contrasting shades. A Portuguese laurel in the background will provide a permament dark green background to highlight its different colours according to the seasons, offering the advantage of white flowering followed by decorative fruits. For a stronger contrast, a purple twisted hazel will do the trick during the growing season, while in winter, its sinuous branches will offer a unique spectacle next to the bronze foliage of the juniper.