This easygoing nature carries over to pruning, too.
Because many juniper shrubs are slower growing, they are less likely to overstep their bounds and require pruning.
The problem is when the wrong juniper is planted in the wrong spot.
Credit:Brie Williams
Choosing wisely will automatically lessen the need for pruning later on.
Here are some things to keep in mind when pruning junipers.
Tim Woodis a horticulturist and leadership team member at Spring Meadow Nursery.
Credit: Bob Stefko
Here’s how to prune juniper topiaries, groundcovers, upright, and shrubby juniper plants.
Do not cut so deeply as to reveal bare stems, which will not grow back.
However, removing dead foliage beneath living stems can aid air circulation and improve the health of the plant.
To control width, cut side branches back to a junction where secondary stems are attached.
Another reason to prune is to encourage thicker growth.
Shrubby
Thesemedium-sized shrubsrequire the most pruning among junipers.
How much you prune is up to you and your taste, Wood says.
