A naturally tapered cone
The canopy narrows gradually from base to tip. This is a dense cone, not a cylindrical column of uniform width.
Juniperus 'Stricta' 13cm
Normal price
€9,00
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Juniperus chinensis ‘Stricta’
- Narrow conical habit
- Dense blue-green foliage
- Foliage down to the base
- Evergreen vertical line
Juniperus chinensis ‘Stricta’ raises a clear blue-green line through the garden with the quiet presence of living sculpture. Dense branches rise close to the central stem and narrow gently towards the tip, forming a natural cone clothed in fine needles. Its cool colour holds the eye without overpowering the setting, while the steady upright outline gives softer neighbouring plants an attractive point of reference throughout the changing seasons.
A single ‘Stricta’ can give direction to a corner, while carefully repeated plants establish a rhythm beside a path. Its slender tip works beautifully with rounded pots, low aromatic plants and irregular stone. It does not need to be the garden’s most dramatic feature; its strength lies in making everything around it feel more composed.
What makes it special
A naturally conical outline, close branching and blue-green foliage create a dependable vertical presence through the seasons.
Foliage to the base
Short ascending branches stay close to the central axis and clothe the plant down to ground level when light and space are sufficient.
Cool needle texture
New growth has blue tones, becoming blue-green as it develops. Numerous small needles create density without broad leaves.
Why you will love it: it adds height, rhythm and a calm blue-green focal point, with a natural shape that does not need constant clipping to remain distinctive.
In the garden & on the balconyPlacement & plant combinationsVertical emphasis · sunny position · room around the conical base
A clear vertical accent
Use it at a border corner, near an entrance or in repeated planting along an open path. Allow for an eventual height of 2.5–4m and spread of 0.5–1m rather than pressing it against a wall. In a pot it needs a stable base, enough root space and repotting as it develops.
Blue and purple rhythm
Low tufts and slender flowering stems set off its conical outline. Maintain sunshine, airflow and good drainage across the composition, leaving its lower branches visible.
- Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ — a rounded aromatic crown and deep purple flowers soften the strong vertical line.
- Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ — low blue tufts repeat the cool colour with a different, finer texture.
- Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ — slender dark flowering stems add light vertical accents in front of the dense cone.
Care at a glance
Light
Full sun or light partial shade. Good light around the canopy helps keep its lower growth dense.
Watering
Water deeply when the soil begins to dry, especially after planting. Established plants tolerate dry periods, but not permanently waterlogged roots.
Climate & hardiness
RHS H6: approximately −20 to −15°C for an established plant in a suitable position. Protect pots during prolonged severe frost.
Safety
Harmful if eaten and a potential skin allergen. Wear gloves and keep it away from children or pets that chew plants.
Detailed careComplete care guideSeven practical points: Position, Watering, Soil, Feeding, Pruning, Planting and repotting, Foliage checks.
Position
Allow space around the base and light from more than one direction. Prolonged shade from walls or dense shrubs can leave the canopy uneven.
Watering
Water slowly and deeply, checking moisture within the soil first. Avoid relying on a fixed weekly schedule; heat, wind and pot size all change how quickly the plant dries.
Soil
It grows in different soil types and across a range of pH levels, provided excess water can drain away. Avoid positions that flood or hold winter moisture around the roots.
Feeding
Ordinary garden soil requires only modest feeding. If a boost is needed, apply a gentle spring feed rather than trying to force rapid growth.
Pruning
Regular clipping is unnecessary for its conical shape. Remove dead branches and make small selective adjustments within green growth; avoid deep cuts into old, bare wood.
Planting and repotting
Maintain the existing planting depth and water after planting. Choose a pot with good drainage and enough stability for the future upright canopy, not just its present size.
Foliage checks
Inspect inner growth and shoot tips for insects, drying or browning. Distinguish a few old inner leaves from progressive death of a whole branch, which needs diagnosis.
Development over timeThe cone gains presenceYoung leader · dense branching · a larger natural cone
While young
The narrow tip and ascending branches are already visible. Its current height does not mean that the cultivar will remain permanently small.
As it establishes
The canopy increases in height and width, with short side branches maintaining the conical outline rather than creating horizontal tiers.
At maturity
It typically reaches 2.5–4m high and 0.5–1m wide in approximately 10–20 years. Development depends on soil, climate and available space.
Mature habit & dimensions
approximately 10–20 yearsHeight 2.5–4mSpread 0.5–1mNarrow natural cone
A dense cone with short ascending branches and foliage to the base, without a bare trunk or horizontal tiers.
Form through time
two real statesEvergreen coneBlue-toned new growth
Spring–summerFresh blue-toned tips and progressively denser growth.
WinterA steady conical outline with evergreen foliage.
The outline remains recognisable throughout the year. Changes mainly concern new growth and foliage tone, not seasonal leaf loss.
What to expect after planting: Expect a gradually stronger vertical presence with the same basic conical architecture. A pot restricts growth, but does not turn the cultivar into a permanently miniature conifer.
History & originCultivar originA conical garden selection of Chinese juniper
Juniperus chinensis ‘Stricta’ is an established horticultural selection of Chinese juniper, with a dense conical outline and needle-like foliage. It is grown by European nurseries, including Minier in France.
Its original provenance remains unknown: the raiser, location and date of the first selection have not been established.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScience nobody asked forBotanical details for anyone curious about what lies behind the plant’s appearance
Juvenile leaves on an adult plant
Juniperus chinensis has two foliage forms: needle-like juvenile-type leaves and smaller scale-like leaves that lie against the shoot. ‘Stricta’ retains its characteristic needle-like foliage as it grows, so the presence of needles alone does not establish that a plant is young.
Frequently asked questions
What to know about the natural conical habit and development of a young ‘Stricta’.
01Will it stay at its current height?
No. The 13cm measurement refers to the pot diameter. In the garden it can gradually reach 2.5–4m in height, depending on growing conditions.
02Must I clip it into a cone?
No. The conical outline is a cultivar characteristic. Cleaning and small adjustments are enough; avoid cutting deeply through the green surface.
03Can it grow in an entrance pot?
Yes, with plenty of light, a stable pot and good drainage. Monitor moisture and repot as the roots and overall size increase.
04Is it blue or green?
Its foliage ranges through blue and blue-green tones. New growth, light and season influence its appearance; it is not uniformly bright blue throughout the year.
05Does it tolerate frost?
Its hardiness rating is RHS H6, approximately −20 to −15°C. This concerns a suitably established plant; roots in an exposed pot are more vulnerable.
06Why is one side becoming sparse?
Check whether that side is shaded or pressed against another plant or a wall. Progressive drying or visible insects require further investigation before treatment.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.