Juniperus horizontalis ‘Bar Harbor’ (Creeping Juniper)

Juniperus horizontalis ‘Bar Harbor’ is an attractive, low-maintenance ground cover plant known for its dense mat formation and seasonal foliage color changes. Its adaptability and ease of care make it a popular choice for a range of landscaping needs.

Juniperus horizontalis ‘Bar Harbor’: An In-depth Look

Juniperus horizontalis ‘Bar Harbor’ is a popular Creeping Juniper cultivar, known for its dense, mat-forming habit and attractive bluish-green foliage that turns purplish in winter.

Native: Creeping Juniper is native to North America, particularly found in Canada and the northern United States. It thrives in a variety of habitats, including rocky or sandy soils.

Plant Type and Habit: This is a ground-hugging, evergreen conifer with a spreading habit. It forms a dense mat, making it an excellent ground cover.

Size: ‘Bar Harbor’ grows to about 6-12 inches tall (15-30 cm) and can spread up to 6-8 feet wide (180-240 cm), providing extensive ground coverage.

Cones: Junipers are dioecious with separate male and female plants. Male plants produce small pollen cones, while pollinated female plants produce small, blue-black berry-like cones, adding winter interest. ‘Bar Harbor’ is a male cultivar and does not produce berries.

Foliage: The foliage is needle-like, bluish-green during the growing season, and turns a striking purplish hue in colder weather.

Bark: The bark is relatively inconspicuous, typically gray or brown and becoming more textured with age.

Uses: Widely used as ground cover, for erosion control, in rock gardens, and as edging plants. Also used in coastal landscapes due to its salt tolerance. Perfect for city gardens since Creeping Juniper is tolerant of pollution. Great for rocky soils and hot, dry garden spots.

Hardiness: Hardy in USDA zones 4-9, demonstrating adaptability to a wide range of climatic conditions.

Wildlife: The dense foliage offers shelter for various wildlife.

Toxicity: Junipers are generally not toxic, but the cones can cause mild stomach upset if ingested in large quantities.

Deer and Rabbit: Relatively resistant to deer and rabbits, which makes it suitable for areas where these animals are a concern.

Drought: Once established, it has a good tolerance for drought conditions, making it a good choice for water-efficient landscapes.

Salt: Creeping Juniper exhibits a good level of salt tolerance. This characteristic makes it particularly suitable for coastal landscapes or areas where soil salinity is higher, as it can withstand salt spray and saline soil conditions better than many other ground cover species.

Invasiveness: This Juniper is not considered invasive. It grows in a controlled manner, maintaining its narrow form.

Benefits: Offers excellent ground coverage, winter interest with its foliage color change, low maintenance requirements, and erosion control capabilities.

Creeping Juniper Growing Tips

Light: Thrives in full sun for optimal growth and foliage color. Can tolerate partial shade, but may grow less densely.

Soil: Thrives in well-drained soil. Adaptable to a wide range of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils.

Water: Requires moderate watering, especially when young. Established plants are relatively drought-tolerant. Ensure proper drainage to prevent root rot. Overwatering should be avoided.

Fertilizer: Lightly fertilize in spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Avoid over-fertilization to prevent excessive growth and potential disease issues.

Pruning: Generally requires minimal pruning. Prune to control spread or shape, preferably in late winter or early spring.

Propagation: Easily propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer.

Pests and Diseases: Junipers are often prone to twig blight and needle blight. They also act as hosts for cedar-apple rust and similar rust diseases during part of their lifecycle. In wet, poorly drained soils, root rot can be a problem. Additionally, they may occasionally suffer from insect pests like aphids, bagworms, webworms, spider mites and scale insects.