Juniperus horizontalis ‘Prince of Wales’ (Creeping Juniper)

Juniperus horizontalis ‘Prince of Wales’ is a versatile and attractive ground cover plant, notable for its wide spreading habit and dense, vibrant green foliage. It’s an ideal choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance, evergreen ground cover that can adapt to a variety of environments.

Juniperus horizontalis ‘Prince of Wales’: An In-depth Look

‘Prince of Wales’ is a cultivar of Creeping Juniper characterized by its low, dense mat-forming growth habit. It’s renowned for its wide spreading capability and vibrant green foliage.

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 evergreen conifer exhibits a ground-covering, prostrate habit. It forms a dense carpet-like mat, making it an excellent choice for covering large areas.

Size: ‘Prince of Wales’ is a low-growing juniper, typically reaching only about 3-6 inches in height (7-15 cm) but spreading extensively, up to 3-6 feet wide (90-180 cm).

Foliage: The foliage is dense and flat, consisting of small, needle-like leaves that maintain a vibrant green color throughout the year.

Bark: The bark is not a prominent feature in ‘Prince of Wales’, as it is typically covered by the dense foliage.

Uses: Ideal for ground cover, erosion control, rock gardens, and cascading over walls. Its extensive spreading habit makes it suitable for covering large, open areas or slopes. 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 3-9, 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: This juniper variety offers excellent ground coverage, low maintenance requirements, and year-round visual interest. It’s also drought-tolerant once established and can help in soil stabilization.

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.