Juniperus communis var. saxatilis

RHS Plant Profile

dwarf juniper

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Other common names

dwarf juniper

Synonyms

Juniperus alpina, Juniperus communis subsp. nana, Juniperus communis var. alpina, Juniperus communis var. montana Aiton, Juniperus horizontalis 'Nana', Juniperus horizontalis var. saxatilis misapplied, Juniperus nana, Juniperus saxatilis, Juniperus sibirica

Conifers Shrubs

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Robust, slow-growing, prostrate, spreading conifer forming a mat of densely-packed stems bearing upturned or upcurved small, dark green, needle-like leaves up to 1.5cm long

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H7
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Cupressaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming
Potentially harmful: Skin allergen; wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Juniperus can be prostrate or erect, evergreen shrubs or trees with aromatic, scale-like or sharply pointed awl-shaped leaves, and small globose fruits
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Subarctic to Subalpine Northern Hemisphere

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil including dry, chalky or sandy soils in full sun or light dappled shade. Good ground hugging conifer, ideal for exposed coastal areas. See conifer cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Rock garden
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Banks and slopes
Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, juniper scale and caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to Phytophthora, canker and honey fungus. See also Conifers: brown patches