Juniper

Juniper Cupressaceae. Junipers are versatile in shape and colour. They are hardy and evergreen, and best of all they can tolerate most soils. The Juniper is a conifer that is attractive in any garden. This species offers many varieties, which can be used as lawn specimens, for containers, rock gardens and slopes. The foliage can be green, yellow, bluish or grey. The plant its self goes through juvenile and adult stages. Young leaves are normally sharps needles, beware they can irritate your skin. When the plant matures the leafs are like fleshy scales. The plant produces tiny clusters of flowers, and black or blue cones are borne. Both ...

. . . and Juniper has connections with all of them. At the Festive time of year, our thoughts turned to drink. But now they should also turn to the longer days, the approaching spring, and the opportunity once again to begin our annual gardening cycle. Which allows me, ever so neatly, to extol the virtues of juniper. For juniper has two close associations with alcohol. Juniper berries have long been the traditional base for flavouring gin, as you are no doubt already aware. But the connection with whisky . . . Patience. Let me talk about the plants first. Junipers are hardy conifers. Make a phrase with the words ...