Digging deeperPlant Library

Chinese Juniper

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Chinese Juniper fruit

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Description:

An extremely versatile landscape evergreen with countless cultivars in all shapes and sizes; the species is usually a bushy, upright small tree; interesting needle-like foliage and attractive blue berries, quite variable habit, very adaptable

Ornamental Features

Chinese Juniper is primarily valued in the landscape for its distinctively pyramidal habit of growth. It has rich green evergreen foliage. The scale-like sprays of foliage remain green throughout the winter. It produces powder blue berries from late spring to late winter.

Landscape Attributes

Chinese Juniper is an evergreen tree with a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which can make it a great accent feature on this basis alone.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Chinese Juniper is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Vertical Accent
• Hedges/Screening
• Windbreaks and Shelterbelts

Planting & Growing

Chinese Juniper will grow to be about 40 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 70 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any 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 species is not originally from North America.