Looking for Juniper Nursery Stock

[Bob in MO]

Hi,
I'm new to Bonsai and have been reading a lot at various sites. A lot of recommendations say a newbie should start with a Chinese Juniper. So I've started looking. I'm located about 30 miles west of St. Louis. I've been checking at the big box stores and local nurserys. Darned if I can find a Chinese Juniper! Below is a list I found some place that said they would also be acceptable for Bonsai, but can't find them either.

• Dahurian Juniper (J. davurica)
• Sargent’s Juniper (J. sargentii)
• Virginia Juniper (J. virginiana)
• Common juniper (J. communis)
• Hornibrook Juniper (J. communis)
• Japanese Needle Juniper (J. rigida)
• Drooping Juniper (J. recurva)
• Squamata Juniper (J. squamata)
• Juniperus Procumbens Nana
• Japanese Garden Juniper
• Green Mound Juniper

Any suggestions?

Thanks for your help,
bob

 

[0soyoung]

First off, I don't think junipers are all that easy. Regardless, I suggest that you go to a local nursery and buy several so that you can learn how to recognize signs of things and how to accomplish your aims. Buying just one (or worse, spending big bucks on just one) at this point just leads to fear of flying, analysis paralysis, and perpetual confusion. Pay only what you are willing to loose because you will (unintensionally) kill a few in the process if you are going to learn anything.

 

[frozenlarch]

If you're looking for something inexpensive to play around with and learn from, I would suggest picking up a Blue Rug Juniper (J. horizontalis).
From what I have seen they are readily available at most home improvement garden centers, and relatively easy on the wallet.
Seem like a good starter tree (in my opinion).

 

[Dirty Nails]

If you ever get to Nashville I can point you to some affordable and nice juniper stock to play with. Boxwood are readily available everywhere and can be a good plant to practice on.

 

[Poink88]

Boxwood are readily available everywhere and can be a good plant to practice on.

I'll second that.