The strikingly unique foliage of 'Berkshire Sparkler' (Juniperus communis)

[Brain Treez]

Despite the Common Juniper having a bad reputation for bonsai, I couldn't resist picking up a half dozen of these of the cultivar 'Berkshire Sparkler' this past January. I've never seen foliage like this in a juniper.

Here's what it looks like now in June, nothing too special:



But in the winter? It's aptly named: KERPOW!



Between my inexperience and the species' reputation, I'm keeping my expectations suitably low for their journey, but I would love to see one of these as a finished tree with that winter coloring. Fingers crossed.

 

[Colorado]

Wow! Now that is some winter color lol…are you sure that one is still alive?

 

[Brain Treez]

Wow! Now that is some winter color lol…are you sure that one is still alive?

The winter color is that same plant 6 months ago. The green photo is it alive and seemingly thriving. All the new growth has mostly hardened off. I will likely be thinning it out a bit since it's so incredibly dense right now.

 

[Colorado]

Pretty cool, looks like it’s doing great now!

I’ve got a ponderosa that turns pretty yellow every winter. Makes me worried every time but then green as can be come spring. Lots of variety as far as winter color within a species.

 

[TrimmyWhimmy]

The foliage looks good for bonsai to me.

 

[RoadManDenDron]

I was listening to Danny Use talk about communis junipers and he recommends clip and grow

 

[Bonsai Forest]

Despite the Common Juniper having a bad reputation for bonsai, I couldn't resist picking up a half dozen of these of the cultivar 'Berkshire Sparkler' this past January. I've never seen foliage like this in a juniper.

Here's what it looks like now in June, nothing too special:

View attachment 553475

But in the winter? It's aptly named: KERPOW!

View attachment 553476

Between my inexperience and the species' reputation, I'm keeping my expectations suitably low for their journey, but I would love to see one of these as a finished tree with that winter coloring. Fingers crossed.

I like it. Yesterday I found a nursery about an hour away from me with a dozen formal upright communis Junipers as stock. Interesting foliage.