Growing Juniperus communis 'Compressa' in a container

Hi All,

I'm pretty much clueless about trees, but as I'm trying to get better at container gardening and really love this one I want to see if I can get it to do well in a pot for a few years, possibly permanently. (?) Thought it would look great in this terracotta pot since it reflects its narrow shape! But I have no idea what to grow it in, the RHS listing seems to suggest it's fine in most soils as long as they are well-drained, but surely it needs a little more fertility in a pot!

Juniperus communis &s;Compressa&s; | juniper &s;Compressa&s; Shrubs/RHS Gardening

Perhaps a 50/50 mix of a John Innes mix/MPC, and then add some grit to aid drainage?

What about watering?

Finally, wondering if these do better in full sun or partial shade. Would the latter be preferable considering a container is more likely to dry out if neglected?

Would hugely appreciate some input, especially about what JI mix to go with! (if that's the right thing to do in the first place, of course! )

Thanks,

Nick

 

Definitely i would go for some JI in the mix, with a small amount of grit.

Not sure how permanent it would be, but a few years at least if fed and watered.
I think you have said it all really full sun to part shade would be good IMO.
You can always move it if it looks unhappy.

 

I mainly use 50/50 JI no 3 /mpc and add a bit of extra manure, grit or perlite and some coir (just to hang on to a bit of moisture) surprising how quick they dry out particularly on a warm windy day.

 

Thanks very much @mazambo and @pete! Sounds like it'll need fairly fertile soil, but not excessively so. This link recommends JI2 with added grit, so in such a narrow pot might go with 2 parts JI2 to 1 part MPC and then add a little grit.

https://www.ashwoodnurseries.com/sh...l#:~:text=Give this an open sunny,in 10 years.

Nick

 

Conifer, it's gonna want more than just MPC. We've had these over the years in the ground, and all of them, even in other gardens locally, they just don't look so good anymore. Maybe a shortish lifespan until getting a bit messy/flabby.

Gonna want a fair amount of sunlight, might burn a little in strong late afternoon sun in the height of Summer, maybe not too much as it's Juniperus. The struggle will be giving it enough water, but not having it waterlogged.

 

Since the thread and opening query, are nearly two years old, I expect @Nikolaos has either lost it, or it's thriving well enough.
In the right kind of climate - ie cooler and damper, they're fine long term in pots, but they do need a soil based medium, and good drainage, as others have said.

 

Yep, sorry about the thread resurrection. Hadn't noticed the dates!