This Needle juniper (J. rigida) is from our Japanese bonsai calendar. August, 2010.
There are Needle junipers and then there are needle junipers, and then…
Juniperus rigida (above) are commonly called Needle junipers. Then there is the class of junipers with needle like foliage, that are often referred to as needle junipers. These are distinguished from the class of junipers with softer scale like foliage. The problem is, that sometime some junipers with needle like foliage show some scale like foliage (and vice-versa). Confused? You can always order our Masters’ Series Juniper book and sort out the whole thing (and plenty of other things too).
This twin trunk Needle juniper is so famous in Japan that it even has a name: ‘Two Dragons.’ It’s from our aforementioned Bonsai Today Masters’ Series, Growing and Styling Juniper Bonsai.
That first needle juniper is just too neat. The foliage looks like bad toupees.
The native American needle juniper seems to be touchy to raise. Maybe the rigida is easier. There are sure some fine ones!. “rigida” is the key word: compared to communis, the needle is much stiffer (and deadlier).
Me. I sure love shimpaku. After years of the prickly ones, my hands itch at the sight.
Hi Terry,
Yeah, as you know, it’s not unusual to see highly stylized trees in Japan. I guess it’s just a case of personal preference.
Communis grow wild around here (and around many other places) but it’s not easy to find good ones. They mostly have multiple thin straight trunks. But then, I’m not Nick Lenz, who knows how to find great trees of all stripes wherever he goes. It doesn’t hurt that he also knows how to style them once he finds them.