I impulsively purchased three "Fishback" Junipers ( Juniperus squamata 'Meyeri'?) from a local independent nursery this weekend. I have one already that overwintered just fine up here in the Portland OR area. I purchased the plant because I really like the blue-silver hue of the plant and the Asian look to it.

I started reading up after (naturally) I purchased these three and found that they become rather scraggly with age and that the needles often turn brown and do not drop off.

I would like to espalier these three up a fence in a patio to give an Asian feel to the patio area (along with some potted Japanese Maples, Umbrella Pine, and a Weeping Larch).

Does anyone on the Conifer Forum have experience with this "Fishback" Juniper? It seems that I should be able to keep it artfully pruned on a fence and hopefully avoid the scraggly, brown needles.