Paul asked: I have several juniper shrubs that grow tall but produce little new foliage at the base. Is there any way to make the plants stay small and full of foliage?
A. The variety of juniper determines how tall the plant grows and how well it fills in at the base. Some lower growing types for Central Florida in the one to three foot range include the variety Parsonii and shore juniper selections. Others are going to grow over five feet tall. Timely pruning can keep the taller growing shrub types more compact and encourage bottom branching. Periodically remove the terminal 4- to 6-inches of growth from the vigorous branches to cause side branches to form. When needed you can also cut major limb back into the plant to keep the growth compact. It is best to do only hand pruning. Junipers do not adjust well to shearing and over a period of years gradually decline due to the close trimming. Also never cut back beyond where there are green leaves on the stems or the shoot may die. Q.
