Pest identification
What's eating my holger juniper?
Spider mites (Oligonychus / Tetranychus spp.)
Signs: Bronzing of foliage; fine webbing on branch tips in hot, dry conditions
Control: Keep soil moisture consistent; apply horticultural oil or miticide; repeat after 7 days
Juniper scale (Carulaspis juniperi)
Signs: White waxy encrustations on stems; yellowing and dieback of affected shoots
Control: Horticultural oil in early spring; prune out heavily infested branches and dispose
Bagworm (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis)
Signs: Spindle-shaped silk bags on branches; defoliation of branch tips
Control: Hand-remove bags in winter; apply Bt or spinosad when larvae are small in late spring
Deer
Signs: Browsing of cream-tipped new growth and general foliage on low-spreading branches
Control: Deer repellent spray; fencing around young specimens; plant with deer-resistant companions
Keep holger juniper pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Holger Juniper pests — FAQ
What is eating my holger juniper?
Holger Juniper, a spreading Juniperus squamata cultivar with cream-tipped new growth, is most threatened by spider mites in dry summer weather, which bronze the distinctive foliage. Juniper scale causes stem encrustation. Bagworms attach to the spreading branches. Deer browse the low growth readily. Treat early with horticultural oil and maintain soil moisture.
How do I get rid of spider mites (oligonychus / tetranychus spp.) on holger juniper?
Bronzing of foliage; fine webbing on branch tips in hot, dry conditions Keep soil moisture consistent; apply horticultural oil or miticide; repeat after 7 days
How do I get rid of juniper scale (carulaspis juniperi) on holger juniper?
White waxy encrustations on stems; yellowing and dieback of affected shoots Horticultural oil in early spring; prune out heavily infested branches and dispose
How do I get rid of bagworm (thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis) on holger juniper?
Spindle-shaped silk bags on branches; defoliation of branch tips Hand-remove bags in winter; apply Bt or spinosad when larvae are small in late spring
How do I get rid of deer on holger juniper?
Browsing of cream-tipped new growth and general foliage on low-spreading branches Deer repellent spray; fencing around young specimens; plant with deer-resistant companions