[Mac]

One of my clients has a pretty significant issue with their "sea green" Junipers and a fungus which I believe to be Phomopsis. They do not want to pay for treatment of the disease but want to replace the Junipers with something similar. The contractor before me put in a shrub type Juniper that is also being affected and doesnt fit the landscape theme either. Do you all have any thoughts on what I can suggest as an interesting ground cover type plant? I am looking through a nursery catalog now but I really dont know plant stock that well. Thanks!

[Forge]

I suppose it would depend on the theme of the landscape and how much area you plan to do, but what about cotoneaster dammeri?

[Ford]

_Mac
In my experience, spraying the junipers for fungus or virus is futile, and also expensive. I would take them out, and if the area is very sunny, you might try a different type of juniper. In my area the two main problems we have with juniper are twig blight and tip midge. I do not have these problems with J. procumbens. The so called "Japanese garden juniper. If you use this plant, give them room to grow. You will end up with a kind of sea wave effect, with mounds of green, with flat areas of branches in between.
__
_Another option, of course, would be to use the C. dammeri, as Forge suggest. It is a beautiful plant, but burns severely in my zone (5). If you can sneak in zone 6 plants in your area, this would be a fine choice.

Ford

[Greensmith]

I have noticed this problem is more severe in areas with irrigation. It must be knocking the spores throughout the plant.

If you do plant another juniper I would drench the soil in a fungicide prior to planting.

[davidg]

What about Microbiota decussata (Russian cypress)? Not as tall, but pretty graceful.

[Mark Oomkes]

Anything--oops, let my plant snobbery come out. Just a little burned out on the 'normal' junipers--Sea Greens, Phitzers, Buffalo, etc ad nauseum.

Blue Carpet is a beautiful juniper that spreads nicely and I have yet to see any of the typical pests on them so far. Nice deep blue color, approx 12-16" tall and spread pretty much indefinitely.

Microbiota would be an excellent choice also, have a beautiul one on a standard that is spreading like crazy. (please don't think too much less of me for getting one on a standard)

[Greensmith]

They come on standards? Damn, I have never seen a sib cypress like that cool. Got pics?

I have noticed that the sib cypress around here get a little burned in full sun towards the middle/end of summer.

[Mark Oomkes]

I'll get a pic, we transplanted a few years ago, and after the shock it really took off. I think it is beautiful.

[Mac]

Thank you everyone for pitching in... Ill look into these and bring these suggestions to my client. Thanks!

Forgot to mention, it is heavily irrigated and gets nearly full sun.