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Juniperus squamata Dream Joy

Juniperus squamata Dream Joy
Flaky Juniper, Himalayan Juniper

5,0/5
1 reviews
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Plant received very sturdy, has recovered without any problems, not demanding, with an original sulphur colour for a juniper.

Pascale, 11/12/2023

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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

More information

A variety of scaly juniper with very decorative foliage. The young shoots contrast with the older foliage, which ranges from steel blue to greenish-blue. The entire foliage displays this lovely colour in autumn and winter. With a fairly slow growth, this small conifer does not exceed 60 cm (23.6 in) in height, but spreads up to 1.20 m (3 ft 11 in) or more. Extremely cold-resistant (-25 °C), it thrives in the sun in neutral to limestone soil, well-drained but not too dry.
Height at maturity
60 cm
Spread at maturity
1.20 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -29°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November
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Description

The Juniperus squamata Dream Joy is a variety of scale-leaved juniper with particularly decorative foliage. The young shoots are a sulfur yellow when they emerge and therefore stand out distinctly against the aged foliage, which is blue-green to steel blue in colour. As it ages, the shoots gradually adopt this hue at the end of the season and in winter. With a spreading habit, this small conifer is twice as wide as it is tall. This covering habit is particularly appreciated in rockeries or to fill a slope. Highly cold-resistant, it thrives in full sun. Not demanding in terms of soil, it tolerates neutral to limestone soil, even poor soil, as long as it is well-drained. It appreciates some moisture initially but can withstand drought once established. 

The scale-leaved juniper, also known as the Nepalese juniper, gets its name from its old needles that it retains at the base of the branches. It is an evergreen species native to the mountains of the Himalayas and China, at an altitude between 1600 and 4900 m (5249 ft 4 in and 16076 ft 1 in). As a result, it is a highly hardy conifer (down to -25°C and even lower) and not very demanding. It belongs to the Cupressaceae family, just like its cousins Thuja, Cypress, and Chamaecyparis.
This 'Dream Joy' variety forms a beautiful bush after 10 years, with a wide and spreading yet compact habit, measuring about 60 cm (23.6 in) in height and 1.20 m (3 ft 11 in) in spread, sometimes more depending on the growing conditions. It is a mutation of the 'Holger' variety selected in the Netherlands in the mid-80s. Its branches arranged in large, flexible fronds, with a feathery appearance, are completely covered with short and rigid twigs, adorned with tightly packed, imbricate small leaves. The foliage is a shade of steel blue to blue-green in autumn and winter, contrasting with the sulfur yellow spring shoots. Junipers have a shallow root system, which can sometimes make it difficult to associate them with perennials.


The 'Dream Joy' juniper is an undemanding conifer, easy to grow on a slope or in a rockery, as long as the soil remains fairly moist and it is placed in a sunny location. It can be installed above a wall or a low wall, or near a pool, as it blends well with geometric lines and masonry structures. It is also excellent as ground cover on a slope or in a large rockery, as long as it can be watered in the first few years. It can also be potentially planted in a large container. In mixed borders, its contrasting colours will pair well with the purple of a 'Royal Purple' smoke bush to create a spectacular scene throughout the season. Its spreading habit will beautifully contrast with plants with a columnar habit, such as the fastigiate common yew, whose dark green foliage in the background will highlight the yellow of its young shoots.

Juniperus squamata Dream Joy in pictures

Juniperus squamata Dream Joy (Foliage) Foliage
Juniperus squamata Dream Joy (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 60 cm
Spread at maturity 1.20 m
Habit creeping
Growth rate slow

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour blue

Botanical data

Genus

Juniperus

Species

squamata

Cultivar

Dream Joy

Family

Cupressaceae

Other common names

Flaky Juniper, Himalayan Juniper

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference1006832

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Planting and care

The Juniperus squamata 'Dream Joy' is a montane plant that dreads dry situations and climates. It is planted from September to November in well-draining soil, but one that retains moisture, even if it is poor and slightly chalky, in a sunny location. If your soil is too heavy, a little trick is to plant your bush on a mound and mulch it with gravel.
Water regularly during the first two years, and in case of prolonged drought. Soak the root balls well before planting. Add organic amendment at planting and water generously during the first years. Once well-established, this juniper will show some resilience to drought. Amend the soil in April with a special conifer fertilizer and weed the soil in summer. This very hardy conifer dreads heavy soils that are waterlogged in winter. Pruning is not necessary, but it can be pruned to maintain a nice habit or limit its size.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery, Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Free-standing, Container, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Moist soil, well-drained

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
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