Juniperus chinensis 'Obelisk'

RHS Plant Profile

Chinese juniper 'Obelisk'

RHS 2000

Conifers Trees

'Obelisk' is an evergreen conifer making a small tree of dense, irregularly columnar habit. Foliage dark blue-green, juvenile, with needle-leaves to 15mm in length

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or North–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Cupressaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten/skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Juniperus can be prostrate or erect, evergreen shrubs or trees with aromatic, scale-like or sharply pointed awl-shaped leaves, and small globose fruits
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil. Junipers need little if any pruning. Useful in hot sunny sites

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, scale insects, conifer red spider mite and caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to phytophthora, canker and honey fungus. See also Conifers: brown patches