Juniperus chinensis var. Shimpaku (Shimpaku juniper) is a dwarf, irregular vase-shaped form of Chinese juniper. It is a slow-growing evergreen shrub that typically grows to 3’ tall and 5’ wide over a period of 10 years. Scale-like gray-green to dull dark green needles are soft to the touch. Foliage is attractive year-round. It is a native tree of Japan. It is pronounced "Shinpaku" in Japan. The Japanese botanical name of the Shimpaku juniper is Miyama-Byakushin. Shimpaku is used as bonsai material and in various gardens, such as rock gardens.
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Shimpaku is one of the most popular species for bonsai within the bonsai community. Its attractive foliage and beautiful bark make this one of the top candidates for bonsai. Many wild trees have been collected in Japan, making it extremely rare to find growing wild. In fact, today the Shimpaku junipers growing in the wild in Japan face extinction due to over collecting. Shimpaku was and is very dangerous to collect. Many of the best Shimpaku inhabited only inaccessible cliff areas. It is said that the first Shimpaku to be collected in the wild came from the Ishizuchi mountain range on Shikoku Island. Collected shimpakus are known for their deadwood, called jin and shari in the bonsai community. Many bonsai masterpieces are Shimpaku Junipers. Masahiko Kimura is known for having many outstanding shimpaku.
Zone: 3 to 9
Plant Type: Needled evergreen
Family: Cupressaceae
Height: 1 to 3 feet
Spread: 1 to 5 feet
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Itoigawa
Kishu