Hollywood Juniper Juniperus chinensis 'Kaizuka'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Not blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Hollywood Juniper, often referred to by its cultivar name 'Kaizuka', is a strikingly sculptural conifer commonly seen in the landscape. This ornamental evergreen features a distinctive twisted and upright growth habit that gives it a remarkable windswept appearance, almost like a living piece of art. The foliage of the Hollywood Juniper is rich green with a scale-like texture, giving the plant a dense, feathery look. This foliage may take on a slightly blue or grayish cast, which adds to its visual interest. From a distance, the Hollywood Juniper's irregular form draws the eye, as it does not grow in the typical conical shape seen in many other evergreen conifers. Instead, its branches can grow in various directions, creating open spaces within the canopy and a less formal, more natural profile that is both rugged and elegant. This attractive irregularity means that no two specimens are exactly alike, allowing each individual plant to have a unique character. Additionally, Hollywood Juniper is known for its resilience and low maintenance qualities, making it an excellent choice for creating visual anchors in garden designs or for adding structure to the landscape throughout the year. The bark of the tree is another detail worth noting, with a rough texture that adds to the overall aesthetic appeal of the plant. The Hollywood Juniper's year-round color and distinctive form make it a favorite for accentuating gardens, parks, and residential landscapes.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Hollywood Juniper, Torulosa Juniper, Twisted Juniper
- Common names
  Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii, Juniperus sargentii, Juniperus chinensis 'Torulosa', Juniperus chinensis var. kaizuka.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Hollywood Juniper is generally considered to be non-toxic to humans. However, ingesting any part of the plant can potentially lead to gastrointestinal irritation or discomfort for some individuals.
- To pets
  Hollywood Juniper is not commonly listed as a toxic plant to pets. However, as with any plant, ingestion of large amounts may cause mild stomach upset in some animals. It's always best to prevent pets from eating plants as individual sensitivity varies.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Blue-green
- Height
  15 feet (4.57 meters)
- Spread
  10 feet (3.05 meters)
- Plant type
  Shrub
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  China

Benefits

General Benefits
- Landscaping Aesthetics: Kaizuka Juniper, also known as Hollywood Juniper, features an irregular growth habit which adds unique visual interest to gardens and landscapes.
- Drought Tolerance: This plant is highly suited to dry conditions, requiring minimal irrigation once established, which conserves water.
- Wind Barrier: Its dense foliage and sturdy form make it an excellent choice for windbreaks or privacy screens.
- Coastal Tolerance: The Kaizuka Juniper is capable of withstanding coastal conditions, including salt spray and sandy soils.
- Low Maintenance: This juniper variety typically requires little upkeep outside of occasional pruning to maintain its shape.
- Erosion Control: With its extensive root system, it can help stabilize slopes and control soil erosion.
- Wildlife Support: Provides cover and nesting sites for birds, while its berries can attract and feed various species of wildlife.
- Longevity: Juniperus chinensis 'Kaizuka' is known for its long lifespan, adding a lasting element to gardens and landscapes.
- Adaptability: It can adapt to a range of soil types as long as they are well-drained, from clay to sandy soils.
- Seasonal Interest: Its evergreen foliage provides year-round color and structure in the landscape.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- The Hollywood Juniper can be used in bonsai culture, where the tree is meticulously pruned and shaped over many years to create miniature landscapes or artistic shapes.
- Due to its dense foliage, the Hollywood Juniper can serve as a natural privacy screen or windbreak in a garden or landscape design.
- Some people use the wood of the Hollywood Juniper for smoking meats and other culinary dishes, giving a unique flavor.
- In woodworking, the wood can be used for small craft projects, such as making jewelry boxes or decorative wooden items due to its fine grain.
- Landscapers often use Hollywood Juniper in topiary designs, sculpting the trees into ornamental shapes and form.
- The aromatic foliage of the plant is sometimes used in potpourris or as a natural moth repellent in wardrobes.
- In certain cultures, the branches of Hollywood Juniper are used in traditional ceremonies or as part of festive decorations.
- The plant can be used to stabilize slopes and prevent soil erosion because its root system helps to hold the ground together.
- Juniper berries, though not specifically from Hollywood Juniper, are used in flavoring gin; however, these ornamental varieties are not commonly utilized for such purposes.
- Artists sometimes use dried branches of Hollywood Juniper as natural frames for artwork or as part of rustic home décor.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
Hollywood Juniper is used in Feng Shui for its strong wood energy, which enhances health and vitality. It is often placed in the east sector of a garden or property for family harmony and in the southeast to attract wealth and abundance.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Hollywood Juniper is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Protection: Juniper plants, including Juniperus chinensis 'Kaizuka', are often associated with protection. The strong and resilient nature of the juniper tree embodies the idea of sheltering and safeguarding from negative forces.
- Purity: Juniper is believed to purify and cleanse. In various cultures, it's used in rituals and ceremonies to drive away impurities and protect against disease.
- Healing: With its use in traditional medicine, the juniper plant symbolizes healing. Its berries and oils have been used historically to treat various ailments, making it a sign of health and wellness.
- Longevity: Owing to the long life span of the juniper tree and its evergreen nature, it stands for longevity and eternal life, representing the endurance of the soul or spirit.

💧

Every 2-3 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Early Spring

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Hollywood Juniper, as Juniperus chinensis 'Kaizuka' is commonly known, requires moderate watering, with more frequent irrigation during dry, hot periods. Water the plant deeply once a week, applying approximately 1-2 gallons of water to the root zone to encourage strong root development, although actual amounts may vary based on soil type and local weather conditions. Over-watering can lead to root rot, so ensure that the soil has good drainage and dries slightly between watering sessions. Reduce watering frequency in cooler seasons when the tree is not actively growing. Always check the top few inches of soil for moisture before watering to gauge if additional irrigation is needed.
Light
The Hollywood Juniper thrives in full sun exposure, which means it should receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal spot for planting is an area where it can obtain unfiltered sunlight for most of the day to ensure vigorous growth and dense foliage. Avoid deeply shaded areas as this can lead to leggy growth and sparse branching.
Temperature
The Hollywood Juniper is hardy and adaptable in a wide range of temperatures, tolerating lows down to 0°F and highs well above 100°F. Ideal growing conditions are found in temperatures ranging between 50°F and 70°F, which promotes strong growth. However, it is capable of surviving temporary extremes outside of these ranges as long as it is well-established and properly cared for.
Pruning
Pruning is necessary for the Hollywood Juniper to maintain its shape, remove dead or diseased branches, and encourage denser foliage. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. It's important not to over-prune, as junipers can have difficulty regrowing from old wood. Shape the plant as desired, but always leave some green foliage to ensure healthy regrowth.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Hollywood Juniper thrives in well-draining soil with a mix of loam, sand, and peat. Ideally, the pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 5.5 to 7.5. Amending the soil with compost or aged manure can help with fertility and drainage.
Repotting
Hollywood Juniper typically does not need frequent repotting and can remain in the same pot or location for several years. Repotting should be done only when the plant outgrows its current container, which may be every 3-5 years.
Humidity & Misting
Hollywood Juniper prefers low to moderate humidity levels and is well-adapted to outdoor conditions where it receives natural air circulation. It does not require high humidity and can tolerate dry air.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright light, proper drainage, and air circulation.
- Outdoor
  Plant in sunny spot, well-draining soil, and water moderately.
- Hardiness zone
  Hollywood Juniper is suitable for USDA zones 4-9.
Life cycle
The Hollywood Juniper, known botanically as Juniperus chinensis 'Kaizuka', begins its life cycle when seeds germinate, ideally in well-drained soils under full sun conditions. It progresses to a juvenile phase where it starts to develop the distinctive twisted and upright habit for which it is known. Over the years, as an adolescent, it continues to grow slowly, reaching maturity after several years, during which it becomes more drought-tolerant and resilient. At maturity, the Hollywood Juniper begins its reproductive phase, producing small seed cones and pollinating male cones, with fertilization being reliant on wind dispersal for pollen. The mature phase continues for many decades as the tree can live a long life, during which it requires minimal maintenance. The final stage is senescence, where growth slows and eventually, after potentially hundreds of years, the tree will die.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Early Spring
- The Hollywood Juniper, scientifically known as Juniperus chinensis 'Kaizuka', is most commonly propagated through stem cuttings. This method involves taking semi-hardwood cuttings during the late summer, which is typically the best time for rooting. First, a 4 to 6 inch (about 10 to 15 cm) cutting from a healthy, disease-free parent plant is selected. The lower leaves are removed and the cut end is dipped in rooting hormone to encourage growth. The cutting is then placed in a well-draining soil mixture, ensuring that about half the length of the cutting is submerged. The soil should be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged, and the cutting should be placed in indirect sunlight. Roots usually develop in a few weeks to several months, and once established, the cutting can be transplanted to a permanent location.