Digging deeperPlant Library

Japanese Garden Juniper

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Description:

A spreading groundcover-type juniper with glaucous blue-green foliage that arches gracefully at the tips; extremely adaptable, slow growing but eventually fills in a large area, one of the finest choices for a low-growing evergreen groundcover

Ornamental Features

Japanese Garden Juniper is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the garden for its broadly spreading habit of growth. It has attractive bluish-green evergreen foliage. The scale-like sprays of foliage are highly ornamental and turn plum purple in the fall, which persists throughout the winter. It produces blue berries from late spring to late winter.

Landscape Attributes

Japanese Garden Juniper is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Japanese Garden Juniper is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Japanese Garden Juniper will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.