Juniperus horizontalis

RHS Plant Profile

carpet juniper

Other common names

creeping juniper

Shrubs

A ground-hugging, wide-spreading, evergreen shrub of creeping habit with grey-green foliage to 30cm (1ft). Produces small, dark blue, spherical fruit.

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or 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, Trailing
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten/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

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil, including dry, chalky or sandy soils, preferably in full sun or in light dappled shade.

Propagation

Propagate by seed (tree/shrub). Remove seed from flesh as soon as ripe and sow in containers in a cold frame. Germination may take up to 5 years. Root semi-hardwood cuttings in early autumn.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Rock garden
Low Maintenance
Banks and slopes
Ground cover

Pruning

See pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, scale insects, conifer red spider mite and caterpillars

Diseases

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