Common Juniper, Juniper, Juniperus intermedia
Possibly the most widely distributed tree in the world, Juniperus communis (Common Juniper) is an evergreen shrub or columnar tree. In North America, it most often grows as a low mat-forming shrub reaching up to 5 ft. in height (150 cm) and 7-13 ft. across (210-390 cm). In parts of New England, Common Juniper occasionally grows up to 25 ft. (750 cm) in height, and it is commonly a tree in Europe. The aromatic, prickly, needle-like, gray-green leaves are arranged in whorls of 3. Unlike most junipers, whose leaves turn scale-like at maturity, Common Juniper leaves remain needle-like throughout the shrub’s life. Common Juniper is dioecious, with separate male plants and female plants. Small yellow spring flowers give way on female plants to small, berry-like cones, ripening to a waxy dark blue to black color in fall. Juniper berries are food for wildlife, especially many species of birds and mammals. They are used to flavor gin, a liquor developed in the 17th century in the Netherlands. Noted for its superior tolerance for cold temperatures, Common Juniper can live for more than 170 years. Highly valued as an ornamental, it was first cultivated in 1560. Today, it is widely grown and provides good ground cover even on stony or sandy sites.
Hardiness |
2 - 6 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 6 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Conifers, Shrubs, Trees |
Plant Family | Cupressaceae |
Genus | Juniperus |
Common names | Common Juniper, Juniper |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall Winter |
Height |
5' - 25' (150cm - 7.6m) |
Spread |
3' - 12' (90cm - 3.7m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northeast, Ohio, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Rocky Mountains, South Carolina, South Dakota, Southeast, Southwest, United Kingdom, United States, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Attracts | Birds |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Hardiness |
2 - 6 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 6 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Conifers, Shrubs, Trees |
Plant Family | Cupressaceae |
Genus | Juniperus |
Common names | Common Juniper, Juniper |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall Winter |
Height |
5' - 25' (150cm - 7.6m) |
Spread |
3' - 12' (90cm - 3.7m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northeast, Ohio, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Rocky Mountains, South Carolina, South Dakota, Southeast, Southwest, United Kingdom, United States, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Attracts | Birds |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
How many Juniperus communis (Common Juniper) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Juniperus communis (Common Juniper) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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