Stinking Juniper Care
Juniperus foetidissima
A juniper tree native to Turkey's mountainous regions that gives off a strong smell when crushed and is extremely tolerant of drought and heat. It needs full sun and well-drained soil; once planted in the garden it needs almost no care.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Pests & diseases: Against the risk of root rot, make sure drainage is good. Frost protection is not needed; it is very hardy.
- Pruning: It does not need formative pruning and its top should not be cut. Only remove dry, broken, and diseased branches.
- General care: Clear weeds.
- Watering: Not required, natural rainfall is sufficient.
- Fertilizing: Not required, it prefers poor soils; do not overfeed.
- General care: New shoots appear.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water newly planted seedlings every 2-3 weeks (10-15 L/tree). Mature trees do not need watering.
- Plant protection: Watch the fresh shoots for fungal diseases such as tip dieback; this species is usually very resilient.
- Watering: If necessary, once a month.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Plant protection: Check for spider mites in hot, stuffy places.
- Pests & diseases: Good air circulation prevents fungal diseases.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
- Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
- Pests & diseases: In hot and dry weather, look on the undersides of the leaves for fine webbing and speckled yellowing (spider mites). Washing the leaves during the cool hours reduces their numbers.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
- Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
- Pests & diseases: In hot and dry weather, look on the undersides of the leaves for fine webbing and speckled yellowing (spider mites). Washing the leaves during the cool hours reduces their numbers.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Watering: Not required, natural rainfall is sufficient.
- General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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