Junipers are are gemnosperms in the cypress family (Cupressaceae) with up to 73 species and can be found from the Arctic and as far south as tropical Africa. Most are native to the northern hemisphere of North America, Asia and Europe. The genus has been divided into distinct sections, containing three sections: Juniperus, Caryocedrus and Sabina, with section Sabina , divided into 5 clades. Junipers can range in size from large trees up to 130 feet tall or short creeping groundcover species. Their growing needs vary per species. Copeous amounts of wind-borne pollen are produced by some species. Propagation can be by seed, stem cuttings and layering. The leaves of junipers can be needle-like or scale-like, depending on the species. Some start with needles and mature to scale-like form. The female cones are berry-like structures that can be blue to red. Birds and small mammals eat the cones and disperse the seeds. Junipers are widely used in the landscape as trees, shrubs or groundcovers. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Apple-rust disease can be a problem with some junipers. They can be susceptible to twig blight and scale. Bagworms can be a problem. Mites may occur.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheIlex cornuta 'Rotunda'Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Forest'Vitex agnus-castus
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Cascading; Dense; Erect
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Needles
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Whorled
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf feel
Prickly; Soft
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Mature leaves are usually overlapping and scale-like with a soft feel. Juvenile leaves are needle-like and sharp. They can be alternating or in whorls on the stem.
Flower detail
No flowers
Fruit color
Blue; Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit detail
Male and female cones can occur on seperate or the same tree. Female comes are the soft round berry-like structures and male cones have 6 to 20 scales.
Bark detail
The bark is variable per species. The wood is fragrant, usually reddish or reddish-brown
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
North America, Asia, Europe
Wildlife value
Provides cover to wildlife. Birds and small mamals eat the cones.
Attracts
Butterflies; Small Mammals; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit; Leaves
Edibility
The female cones are edible on some species. An essential oil is obtained by distillation from wood and leaves
Uses (ethnobotany)
The wood is used for construction and fuel. Has been used medicinally by native Americans.