Spartan Juniper: Fast-growing Hedge for Sarasota

Do you need privacy from a roadway or neighbor? Want a tall, luxurious hedge to boost the value of your property? Plant a row of Spartan junipers, and before you know it, your backyard will become a peaceful and private sanctuary. Native to China (not Ancient Greece as its name suggests), the Spartan juniper is an evergreen that grows extremely fast, making it a nice, natural hedge alternative to boring wood fences.

Once established, Spartan juniper is unflinching, tolerating heat, cold, salt and drought conditions within USDA hardiness zones 4 to 10. Displaying a dense, pyramidal to columnar form with fine-textured, green foliage, it’s a showcase specimen with a graceful, waving top and light brown cones.

Junipers are among the toughest plants for a Sarasota landscape, and this variety is particularly well-suited to the southern landscape. Spartan juniper reaches a mature size of 15’ to 20’ tall and 4’ to 6’ wide. It can be used as a medium-sized screen but is better utilized as a formal specimen. While adaptable to partial shade, Spartan juniper will grow best in full sun. Also avoid planting any juniper in a shaded location where it will become thin and more susceptible to insects and disease. Since wet soil will cause root rot, be sure to plant in a well-drained area.

Once established, the Spartan juniper requires very little irrigation and prefers a balanced fertilizer twice a year. Be careful with the pruning, though. In general, junipers don’t tolerate a hefty haircut because of their lack of new growth on old wood. A little bit will do it.

Given its ability to maintain a formal appearance without shearing and a manageable size for areas with limited space, we think you’ll agree Spartan juniper is the perfect selection for your low-maintenance Sarasota landscape. To add a few Spartans to your outdoor living area, contact the award-winning designers at ArtisTree Landscape Maintenance & Design and get your consultation scheduled. It’s much easier than growing a Spartan juniper from scratch, and you’ll benefit from a professional, integrated design. Call 941.488.8897 or visit artistree.com.

Category Florida-friendly/Native Plants, Landscape Design, News, Plant selection, Trees, Hedges