Approximately 67 different species of Juniper trees exist throughout the world, spread across the Arctic, Africa, and North America.
Juniper bonsai can be classified into two distinct groups (based on the texture of the foliage):
- Needle like juniper bonsai
- Scale like Juniper bonsai
Lets look at some of the common juniper bonsai species bonsai enthusiasts can work with.
Scale Juniper Bonsai
1. Sargent’s Juniper (Juniperus sargentii)
Country of Origin: Japan
Bonsai Styles : All the bonsai styles except broom style
Zone : 5 – 9
The Sargent’s juniper bonsai tree is perhaps the least demanding juniper bonsai tree among the juniper species.
In various climates, it grows quickly and spreads more rapidly than many other Juniper species.
Because of its growth habit and less care requirements, it is an excellent bonsai tree option for beginners.
Please read how to grow and care for Sargent juniper bonsai tree for more details.
2. Chinese Juniper (Juniperus chinensis)
Country of Origin : China and Mongolia
Bonsai Styles : Informal upright, cascade, group
Zone : 5 – 9
Chinese Juniper is also known as Hollywood Juniper. Native to the Eastern parts of Asia, this juniper bonsai species is easy to grow and very common among bonsai growers.
The Chinese Juniper bonsai tree makes an excellent bonsai tree because of its broad variety of colors and appearances.
As long as extreme weather (heat and cold) are not a factor, it can grow in a variety of climates.
Please read how to grow and care for Chinese juniper bonsai tree for more details.
3. San Jose Juniper (Juniperus chinesis ‘San Jose’)
Country of Origin : China, Mongolia, Japan, Himalayas
Bonsai Styles : Informal upright, cascade, group
Zone : 4 – 9
San Jose Juniper is highly adaptable and has a rapid growth rate.
Because of its stiff branches, the San Jose Juniper bonsai tree is also a good candidate for cascading styles.
It has a stunning jade green color which when paired with the right matching bonsai container, creates a beautiful bonsai tree specimen.
4. Dahurian Juniper (Juniperus davurica)
Country of Origin : Asia, Siberia and Japan
Bonsai Styles : All the bonsai styles except broom style
Zone : 4 – 11
Dahurian Juniper is a hardy evergreen shrub that forms a spreading, table-top-like plant.
Mush like most of the Juniper species, it thrives well in full sun. However, it can also be kept in partial shade.
Branches are stiff with dark green foliage. This female selection sports small berrylike cones that ripen to a waxy blue in the fall.
It is also drought and disease tolerant.
5. California Juniper (Juniperus californica)
Country of Origin : Southwestern North America
Bonsai Styles : All the bonsai styles except broom style
Zone : 8
Unlike other juniper species, California juniper is heavily branched at the base. Also, its shoots are thicker than those of most junipers (1.5 – 2 mm in diameter).
In its natural habitat, the California juniper inhabits dry, sunny areas.
Bonsai of the California juniper are pretty and aromatic, and they are easy to maintain.
6. Creeping or Prostrate Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)
Country of Origin: North-east America
Bonsai Styles : Semi-cascade and cascade
Zone : 3 – 9
A low-spreading and prostrate shrub of the juniper family, Juniperus horizontalis (Creeping Juniper) forms a dense foliage mat of emerald or blue-green leaves.
The foliage takes on a purple hue in winter.
Its a low maintenance and drought tolerant bonsai tree which enjoys full sun.
Adapts to a wide range of soil types, but prefers a sandy, dry environment.
7. Meyer’s Juniper (Juniperus Squamata ‘Meyeri’)
Country of Origin: Nepal and China
Bonsai Styles : Informal upright, cascade, group
Zone : 4 – 9
This is a very unique variety of Juniperus Squamata. It is also called ‘blue juniper‘ or ‘singleseed juniper‘ because of the color of its foliage.
Needle Juniper Bonsai
1. Needle Juniper (Juniperus rigida)
Country of Origin : Japan, Korea and Northern China
Bonsai Styles : Formal upright, informal upright, driftwood
Zone : 6 – 9
Needle juniper is a small evergreen tree which is highly sought-after by bonsai enthusiasts.
It has yellow-brown peeling bark and bright green, prickly, needle-like leaves with a dark blue line in the dorsal groove.
This species is also readily available in bonsai nurseries.
Needle Juniper is easy to grow, but you have to prune and pinch it a lot if you want it to look its best.
In a variety of climates, the needle juniper bonsai can thrive, just avoid extreme temperatures.
Please read how to grow and care for Needle juniper bonsai tree for more details.
2. Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Country of Origin : Europe, Asia and North America
Bonsai Styles : Informal upright, semi-cascade, cascade
Zone : 3 – 7
Common Juniper is a densely branching evergreen conifer. This species is considered to be one of the most hardy Junipers.
Its needle-like foliage is deep green in color and has a bluish white band on the center.
Common Juniper bonsai tree isn’t the easiest to grow, however with persistence, it will make superb bonsai specimen.
Growing in all climates, it is drought and shade tolerant, and survives in a broad range of conditions.
If gardens are difficult to find, the common Juniper bonsai tree will do well on windowsill.
Please read how to grow and care for Common juniper bonsai tree for more details.
3. Hornibrook Juniper (Juniperus communis ‘Hornibrookii’)
Country of Origin : Europe
Bonsai Styles : Informal upright, semi-cascade, cascade
Zone : 7
Hornibrook Juniper is a prostate (flat growing) cultivator of common Juniper. Its a dwarf variety of common Juniper.
It is widely preferred for its spreading habit of growth and its silvery evergreen foliage.
As the fall approaches, the needles turn coppery-bronze, a color that lasts throughout the winter. This gives the tree a highly ornamental look.
Hornibrook Juniper bonsai tree thrives in dry conditions with a lot of sunlight.
4. Foemina Juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Foemina’)
Country of Origin : China
Bonsai Styles : Informal and formal upright, group
Zone : 3 – 9
Juniperus chinensis ‘Foemina’ is an ornamental dwarf conifer variety of Juniper tree, valued primarily for its upright and spreading growth habit.
Among all the needle Junipers, Foemina Juniper has the smallest/finest needles. For this reason, this Juniper species is easy to identify.
Its evergreen foliage has an attractive green hue.
Throughout the winter season, its scale-like foliage remains green.
Foliage of the Foemina Juniper can survive harsh conditions, even when young. It performs well in most types of environments.
5. Japanese Garden Juniper (Juniperus procumbens)
Country of Origin : Korea and Japan
Bonsai Styles : Semi-cascade and cascade
Zone : 5 – 9
Juniperus procumbens is a dwarf prostrate evergreen conifer.
It has maroon-brown bark and light green foliage. Also, it grows fairly quickly.
It is an excellent choice for making a beautiful bonsai specimen. Especially the compact variety, Juniperus procumbens ‘Nana’ is a highly sought after bonsai tree.
This bonsai tree is also able to thrive in warm and humid climates.
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