Juniperus x media ‘Hetzii‘ - Juniper x media ‘Hetzii’
General: The Juniper x media ‘Hetzii’ was introduced to us from the USA around 1930. It is believed to be a cross between the US native Virginian juniper (Juniperus virginiana) and the Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis). The gJuniper x media ‘Hetzii’ grows broadly with a height of up to 5 meters. It has small, scale-shaped needles with a very nice gray-blue color.
Care as a bonsai: The Juniper x media ‘Hetzii’ is very robust, tolerates pruning and has a vigorous growth. The shoots grow a bit curved, which suits the bonsai design. The small, gray-blue foliage is very attractive and the branches can be shaped very well with wire. The design with topiary and wires is best done in the dormant growth period from November to March. In summer, a sunny place outdoors is very important for healthy development. In a shady location, the needles will suffer from coloration and the shoots will be long and unsightly. The juniper should of course be sufficiently watered, but waterlogging must be avoided at all costs. Repotting takes place from August to September in soil that is well permeable to air and water. Only aphids and spider mites have appeared on junipers of animal pests. However, these can be removed quickly with commercially available pesticides. An optimal location, attentive care and adequate fertilization are usually the best preventive plant protection measures.
