Juniperus x pfitzeriana Hetzii

Juniperus 'Hetzii' is a very hardy hybrid juniper, forming a medium-sized bush with a spreading and layered habit. It is adorned with fine and flexible foliage, with a beautiful bluish-grey colour that remains throughout the winter. This conifer is perfect for colonizing a large slope or filling out a bed in a small garden. It produces attractive small fruits that first appear reddish-purple and then turn blackish-blue when ripe, which are enjoyed by birds. It prefers sunny locations and well-drained soil, even if it is poor, occasionally dry, and chalky.

The 'Hetzii' juniper was obtained in the 1930s in the United States by F. C. Hetz, at the Fairview Nursery in Pennsylvania. This cultivar has caused confusion regarding its name: sometimes called J. virginiana 'Hetzii', other times J. media 'Hetzii', or even J. pfitzeriana 'Hetzii'... What is certain is that this juniper is part of a group of quite old hybrids, mainly derived from Juniperus chinensis, the Chinese juniper. It is a very hardy and highly ornamental conifer, belonging, like its parents, to the cypress family.

'Hetzii' forms a beautiful spreading bush with branches that tend to be erect, in layers. It reaches approximately 4 metres (13 feet 1 inches) in all directions at maturity. It grows slowly when young, then its growth accelerates slightly as it ages. Its slender and flexible branches, with a feathery appearance, are covered with tightly packed small leaves and emit a penetrating odor when rubbed, which can be perceived as unpleasant. The foliage is grey to bluish-green. The fruits that form on female plants are berries called galbuli; they are blackish-blue when ripe and rich in therapeutic properties. Junipers have a shallow root system that makes them vulnerable to strong winds and difficult to combine with perennials.

The 'Hetzii' juniper is a hardy and bright conifer that has proven its vigour and robustness on slopes and in large rock gardens, among rocks. With its moderate growth and its greyish-blue mantle and foliage all year round, it will work wonders when planted alone or in groups, alongside conifers with an upright or bushy habit. The true graphic qualities of conifers naturally impose themselves in the design of a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes, and textures over the dance of flowers. These plants, with their reassuring permanence, structurally define a bed for the long term, mark pathways, border terraces, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood or holly. They also pair well with wild grasses with a highly complementary temperament. They can also be combined with heathers (Erica x darleyensis), lavenders, rosemary, or even frugal roses (Rosa chinensis 'Mutabilis'). The key is to play with volumes and colours.