Chinese juniper Shimpaku - Specimen or Bonsai - 3 Year Old Trees
(Juniperus chinensis 'Shimpaku' , miyama-byakushin)
Shimpaku is a dwarf vase-shaped, slow-growing evergreen variety of Chinese juniper. It will grow to 3 feet tall with a 5 foot spread in about 10 years. Shimpaku has soft bright green needles and an attractive red-brown, shaggy/peeling bark. Likes a well-drained, slightly moist soil in full sun. Tolerates a range of soils...acidic, alkaline, clay, or rocky. Originally found in the mountains of Japan.
Shimpaku is deer and drought tolerant, but intolerant to over wet soils. It is not effected by air pollution and salt. Used as a specimen in Asian and rock gardens. Grows in USDA zones 3-9
Often used as bonsai material. Branches are highly flexible.