'Sea Green' grows as a compact spreader with fountain-like, arching branches. Its upright growth with arching branches is a very distinct trait of this variety. It can be pruned easily to maintain a specific height. Once established, junipers require little maintenance. Its evergreen habit makes this plant a welcomed addition to any landscape. It grows best in full sun with sufficient water. When planted in an area with little sun, the plant will tend to become thin in appearance. When planting in a location with lighter soils, water moderately. Planting in heavier soils will require little to moderate watering. Ensure that proper drainage is provided. The typical cause of junipers failing is too much moisture. Juniper is used for making fence posts. Its clean-burning nature makes it excellent firewood. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Fairly disease and insect tolerant. Bagworms can be an issue but easily rectified chemically or by pulling the insect off the plant. Blight, which causes dieback, can be a minor problem. Affected branches can be removed through pruning. This Juniperus like others is deer, drought, air pollution, salt, and erosion resistant but also purportedly resistant to Cedar Apple Rust prevalent to other junipers. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common juniper diseases and insect pests. Details of Juniperus chinensis follow, many of which apply to Sea Green. More information on Juniperus chinensis .
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 nicheJuniperus chinensis 'Old Gold'Juniperus chinensis 'Parsonii'Juniperus chinensis 'Shimpaku'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
3 feet-6 feet; 6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low; Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Needles
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf feel
Prickly
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Dark mint green that darkens in winter. Grown for its foliage.
Flower detail
No flowers, but cones are large and brown and fall apart upon maturity. Female cones are blue fleshy "berry" looking.
Fruit detail
No true fruits, but female cones are blue, fleshy "berry" looking and edible, often used as a seasoning.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Play value
Colorful; Textural
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn; Patio
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Drought Tolerant Garden; Rock Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Foundation Planting; Mass Planting; Small groups