Juniperus virginiana ‘Glauca’ (Silver Eastern Red Cedar)

An old cultivar, Juniperus virginiana ‘Glauca’ (Silver Eastern Red Cedar) is a densely columnar to narrowly pyramidal evergreen conifer forming a splendid exclamation point in the landscape. Fragrant, the scale-like foliage emerges silver-blue and fades slightly to blue-green as the summer progresses. It tends to bronze in winter in northern climates. It produces dark purple-blue berry-like cones covered with white wax which gives them an overall sky-blue color. Many birds feast on the juicy juniper berries during the winter, especially the cedar waxwings. 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. Slow-growing and long-lived, Silver 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 silver-blue screen or windbreak.

• Grows up to 20-25 ft. tall (600-750 cm) and 6-8 ft. wide (180-240 cm).
• 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.
• 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.