Juniperus virginiana ‘Grey Owl’ (Eastern Red Cedar)

Among the best of the shrubby, spreading junipers, award-winning Juniperus virginiana ‘Grey Owl’ (Eastern Red Cedar) is a compact, wide-spreading evergreen conifer with arching main branches covered with soft dusty silver-gray scale-like foliage. It produces a profusion of dark purple-blue berry-like cones covered with a white wax which gives them an overall silver-gray color. Many birds feast on the juicy juniper berries during the winter, especially the cedar waxwings. Slow-growing and long-lived, Eastern Red Cedar is ideal for providing a 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.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 4-6 ft. wide (120-180 cm).
• A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in any, dry to medium, well-drained soil. 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.