Have you ever tried topiary?
I have been willing shapes on junipers here for a few years. This is my Saguaro Cactus juniper. It is ready for a trim, I just took the netting off this spring, it is still holding it's shape, snip snip a bit when I get the chance.
I reclaimed these junipers in front of the rentals [ 2 of them like this, one shorter] from taking over the sidewalks, been snipping about 5 years now.
