I lifted this juniper from my Dad’s garden a few days ago. With all sorts of car issues over the last few days, I only got around to potting it up today. The delay was fine as the garden soil was damp and there was loads of it surrounding the roots.

Here’s it in the ground

This is it when I got it home.

I shortened in the green areas as much as possible to encourage back budding. Extra light will be able to penetrate the inner branches. I was able to make a few decisions and remove a few unnecessary branches. I left two main branches both giving leader options to the front and back of the tree. The garden soil was think and totally unsuitable for container growing. The only way to remove it properly was to hose it out. This is the root ball. Quite healthy.

I potted the tree up in an open mix of grit and cat litter (scp). This is one possible front. Deadwood is going to be a major part of the final image, in keeping with popular juniper style.

This is the opposite side with a different leader. I think the deadwood is more interesting here.

It’s now sitting in my Poly Tunnel for protection awaiting warmer weather and signs of movement.