Rocky Mountain juniper "Fisht." Krasnodar region
Rocky
Mountain juniper originates from North America. It typically grows in
mountainous areas among rocks, which is reflected in its species name. It
belongs to the cypress family. Most varieties of Rocky Mountain juniper are
well adapted to the harsh conditions of the Russian climate. These junipers are
characterized by their beautiful bluish or steel-colored needles.
Rocky
Mountain junipers are incredibly long-lived, with a lifespan exceeding 1,000
years. They grow slowly. They prefer sunlight but can tolerate some shading,
although they lose their decorative appeal in more shaded areas. The tree is
often multi-trunked from the base, reaching a height of 10-18 meters in the
wild, while cultivated varieties grow to 3-4 meters.
The Rocky
Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) "Fisht," presented at the
RUSSIA EXPO by the Krasnodar region, was developed at the Gavrish nursery in
Krymsk, located in the Krasnodar region. It is named after one of the mountain
peaks of the Greater Caucasus Range, as well as the Fisht Stadium, one of the
venues of the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games.
The
"Fisht" juniper was selected from the Rocky Mountain juniper variety
"Blue Arrow." This variety inherited the best qualities of the parent
variety and developed its own. It is quite frost-resistant, thriving in the
central part of Russia, and is resistant to heat, drought, soil salinity, and
compaction.
Unlike the
parent and other closely related varieties, the "Fisht" juniper has
shown high resistance to rust fungi. "Fisht" is slightly shorter than
"Blue Arrow." Its crown is broader, forming a medium-pyramidal shape
rather than the narrow columnar shape of the original variety.
"Fisht"
propagates well by cuttings and tolerates pruning well.
In 2017, it
was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements.
The wood of
Rocky Mountain juniper is strong, durable, has a beautiful texture, and a
pleasant aroma, making it useful for various purposes. Essential oils are
extracted from the shoots. The dried and powdered cone berries are often used
as a flavoring agent. The branches are used as incense to purify homes and
eliminate odors.
Along with the RUSSIA EXPO, the flower festival is also coming to an end.
The "Future in Flowers" festival continues at the RUSSIA EXPO, where unique flowerbeds from all regions of our country can be seen at the "Space" pavilion until July 8.
The RUSSIA EXPO concludes on July 8, and with it, the flower festival will also come to an end.