Juniperus virginiana 'Grey Owl' (Eastern Red Cedar)
Eastern Red Cedar 'Grey Owl', Juniper 'Grey Owl', Juniperus 'Grey Owl', Juniperus chinensis 'Grey Owl'
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 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 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.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 2
– 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 9 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A3 |
Plant Type | Conifers, Shrubs |
Plant Family | Juniperus - Junipers |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 4' – 6' (120cm – 180cm) |
Spacing | 60" – 72" (150cm – 180cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |
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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 2
– 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 9 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A3 |
Plant Type | Conifers, Shrubs |
Plant Family | Juniperus - Junipers |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 4' – 6' (120cm – 180cm) |
Spacing | 60" – 72" (150cm – 180cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |