Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Red Cedar)

The most widespread native conifer in eastern North America, Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Red Cedar) is a densely columnar to broadly pyramidal evergreen conifer forming a splendid exclamation point in the landscape. Fragrant, the scale-like foliage can be coarse or fine-cut and varies in color from gray-green to blue-green to light- or dark-green. While the foliage of the species tends to bronze in winter, most cultivars retain their rich color all year. Eastern Red Cedar is a dioecious species with separate male and female trees. Male trees produce an abundance of tiny brown cones shedding pollen in late winter or early spring. Female trees produce dark purple-blue berry-like cones covered with white wax which gives them an overall sky-blue color. Many wildlife species feast on the juicy juniper berries during the winter, especially the cedar waxwings, bobwhite quail, ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, ring-necked pheasant, wild turkeys, rabbits, foxes, raccoons, skunks, opossums, and coyotes. The trunk is short, often buttressed and fluted at the base. The bark is reddish-brown, fibrous, and peels off in narrow strips on mature trees. The pinkish to reddish heartwood is aromatic, very light, durable, and avoided by moths, making it a favorite for cedar closets and cedar chests. Slow-growing and long-lived, Eastern Red Cedar is ideal for providing year round structure. Tough, heat, drought, cold tolerant, it can prosper where other conifers struggle. It is particularly useful for very dry, sunny sites where it makes a wonderful specimen plant. Perfect for a large screen. As an evergreen, Eastern Red Cedar provides good nesting and roosting cover for many birds.

• Grows up to 40-50 ft. tall (12-15 m) and 8-20 ft. wide (2-6 m).
• A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in any, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Tolerates a wide range of soils including dry, rocky soils. Drought tolerant once established. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and salt spray without injury.
• Perfect as a specimen plant or for city gardens since Red Cedar is tolerant of pollution.
• Low maintenance, no pruning required.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for cedar apple rust, aphids, juniper scale, and caterpillars.
• Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
• Native to eastern North America.