Juniper

Juniperus virginiana
Common name: Eastern Redcedar

About

Junipers are conifers of the genus Juniperus. Experts do not agree on the total number of species, some insisting there are only 52 juniper species while others accept 67 species. They are native to the northern hemisphere, from the arctic circle to the tropics.

Some junipers are given the common name of cedar. This is incorrect; cedars belong to the genus Cedrus.

Description

Depending on the species, junipers can grow from 4 inches to 50 feet tall and have a spread from 6 to 20 feet. The foliage colors are equally varied, from a silvery-blue through a range of greens to bronze, yellow, and even purple.

All junipers are evergreen, though the leaves can be either scale-like or needle-like. The needled leaves are hard and sharp, making the plant quite prickly to handle. The seed cones resemble berries, usually blue.

Eastern Redcedar

Juniperus virginiana was the traditional Christmas tree in the southern areas of the United States, chosen for their natural conical shape and the ready supply. They are grown commercially for this purpose today, and are among the most popular Christmas trees in North America.

Eastern red cedar matures up to 50 feet tall and 20 feet wide. The tree has dark green foliage that turns reddish in cold weather. The berries are dark blue to a pale blue-green. The wood and foliage are aromatic. In the wild, these trees have been known to go dormant in shaded sites, then photosynthesize again when surrounding taller trees are dormant. Many cultivars are grown today, with a wide variation in color.

Scientific Classification

Juniperus virginiana twig.

Kingdom - Plantae
Division - Pinophyta
Class - Pinopsida
Order - Pinales
Family - Cupressaceae
Genus - Juniperus

Cultivation

All junipers do well in sites with full sun and good drainage. They withstand heat and drought better than many garden plants. They will grow in acidic or alkaline soils.

Very few junipers are tolerant of shade or poor drainage. They do not respond well to heavy pruning, so consider the mature size of the specimen before planting.

Balled and burlapped junipers do best if they are planted in the fall. Container-grown junipers can be planted any time of year.

Junipers are propagated by seed, cuttings, layering and grafting.

Uses

The range of size, shape, and color found in junipers makes them invaluable garden plants! They can be groundcovers, shrubs, or trees. They are grown for erosion control on banks; as foundations plantings; and as screens, hedges, and windbreaks.

Juniperus chinensis (Chinese Juniper), as well as several other species, is a very popular tree for bonsai. It is a symbol of longevity in some Asian cultures.

Juniper berries are used as a flavoring in cooking and in the distillation of gin.

Juniper oil was used as a laxative by Egyptian doctors as early as 1550 BCE. Native Americans used the berries and leaves to treat wounds, arthritis, and infections, and the Zuni used the berries to assist in childbirth. British herbalists used herbalists used it to promote regular menstruation. In 19th century America, herbalists used juniper in treating urinary tract infections and congestive heart failure. It had to be used with care, however: six drops of juniper oil can have a toxic effect.

Varieties to Grow

Trees

• Juniperus ashei -- Ozark white cedar -- to 20 feet, gray-green foliage, blue berries
• Juniperus silicicola -- Southern red cedar -- to 50 feet high and 20 feet wide; tolerant to salt
• Juniperus chinensis -- Chinese juniper -- to 60 feet high and 20 feet wide; conical form
• Juniperus communis -- Common juniper -- to 12 feet tall and 12 feet wide
• Juniperus scopulorum ‘Wichita Blue’ -- 18 feet tall; silver-blue foliage; pyramid form

Shrubs

• Juniperus chinensis ‘Pfitzerana’ -- Pfitzer juniper -- to 5 feet tall and 10 feet wide; feather gray-green needles; fast grower
• Juniperus chinensis ‘Gold Coast’ -- Gold Coast juniper -- 3 feet tall by 5 feet wide; yellow, lacy foliage
• Juniperus chinensis ‘Armstrongii’ -- Armstrong juniper -- 4 feet tall by 4 feet wide
• Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’ -- Blue Star juniper -- 3 feet tall by 5 feet wide; silver-blue needles; mound form
• Juniperus chinensis ‘Hetzii’ -- Hetz Chinese juniper -- 15 feet tall by 15 feet wide; fast grower
• Juniperus chinensis ‘Mint Julep’ -- Mint Julep juniper -- 6 feet tall by 6 feet wide; mint green needles; vase shape
• Juniperus chinensis ‘Procumbens’ -- Japanese garden juniper -- 2 feet tall by 20 feet wide; feathery, blue-green foliage
• Juniperus chinensis ‘Kaizuka’ -- Hollywood juniper -- 20 feet tall by 10 feet wide; upright, irregular form, tolerates salt spray

Columnar types

• Juniperus chinensis ‘Blue Point’ -- 7 feet tall by 8 feet wide; dense, blue-green foliage
• Juniperus chinensis ‘Robusta Green’ -- to 20 feet tall; brilliant green, dense, tufted foliage
• Juniperus scopulorum ‘Gray Gleam’ -- 20 feet tall; slow grower; gray-green foliage.
• Juniperus scopulorum ‘Pathfinder’ -- to 25 feet; gray-green foliage
• Juniperus scopulorum ‘Skyrocket’ -- 15 feet tall by 2 feet wide; blue-gray foliage, 18 feet or taller.

Juniper Groundcovers

• Juniperus conferta -- Shore juniper -- 12 to 18 inches high and 6 to 8 foot spread; salt tolerant
• Juniperus conferta ‘Blue Pacific’ -- 12 to 18 inches high and 6 to 8 foot spread; salt tolerant; heat tolerant; blue-green foliage
• Juniperus conferta ‘Emerald Sea’ -- 12 to 18 inches high and 6 to 8 foot spread; salt tolerant; bright green foliage
• Juniperus horizontalis -- Creeping juniper -- to 2 feet high and 8 foot spread
• Juniperus horizontalis ‘Bar Harbor’ -- 8 foot spread; feathery, blue-gray foliage turns plum color in winter; fast growing; tolerates salt spray
• Juniperus horizontalis 'Pancake' -- to 2 inches high and 2 foot spread
• Juniperus horizontalis ‘Plumosa’ -- Andorra creeping juniper -- 2 feet high and 10 foot spread; grey-green foliage turning plum in winter
• Juniperus horizontalis ‘Wiltonii’ -- Blue Rug juniper -- 4 inches high and 8 to 10 foot spread; silver-blue foliage

Problems

Some junipers are susceptible to Gymnosporangium rust disease, otherwise known as apple rust fungus, which can be a serious problem if planted near apple trees, the alternate host of the disease. Phomopsis tip blight and Phytophthora root rot are occasional fungal diseases.

Pests include bagworms, juniper webworms, and twig borers.

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