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Juniperus communis

common juniper

© Mike L. Grant 2001
Sold by 8 nurseries

  • Other common names common juniper
    juniper

  • Synonyms Juniperus intermedia

  • Family Cupressaceae

  • 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

  • Details J. communis is an evergreen dioecious shrub, varying from spreading to columnar or bushy in habit, with aromatic, needle-like grey-green leaves and small ovoid green fruits ripening to black

  • Plant range Temp. N. Hemisphere

Characteristics

  • Foliage Evergreen

  • Habit Bushy

  • Fragrance Leaf

  • Toxicity Foliage may cause skin irritation

  • 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

Colour

Sunlight

  • Full Sun

  • Partial Shade

  • Aspect South-facing or North-facing or West-facing or East-facing

  • Exposure Exposed or Sheltered

Soil

  • Chalk

    Chalk

  • Clay

    Clay

  • Sand

    Sand

  • Loam

    Loam

  • MoistureWell-drained, Moist but well-drained

  • SoilChalk, Clay, Sand, Loam

  • pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral

Size

  • Ultimate height 4-8 metres

  • Ultimate spread 2.5-4 metres

  • Time to ultimate height 20-50 years

How to grow

Cultivation Grow in any well-drained soil. Junipers need little if any pruning. Useful in hot sunny sites

Propagation Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types Low Maintenance Wildlife Gardens

How to care

Pruning No pruning required

Pests May be attacked by aphids, juniper scale and caterpillars

Diseases May be affected by a canker

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