Juniperus procumbens

Japanese juniper is a dwarf, needled, evergreen shrub, a native of southern Japan with low, prostrate, branches that spread parallel and low to the ground. At maturity, it is under 2 feet high, but its long trailing branches can have a spread of up to 15 feet. The genus name comes from the Latin name for the juniper and the species name means prostrate.

Japanese juniper grows best in full sun, in average, well-drained soils. It tolerates a wide range of soils, including poor soil, but prefers a dry, sandy soil. It also does well in hot and dry conditions, or in urban environments. However, it does not tolerate wet soils.

Japanese juniper, because of its size and spread, is typically used as a ground cover that, over time, forms a large, dense mat. It can be severely pruned. It is especially suited to rock gardens or cascading over retaining walls. Growth is slow and it often takes up more than 10 years to reach its maximum spread. This plant is seldom damaged by deer and is moderately salt tolerant.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: In general, junipers are susceptible to blights that cause stem tips to die back. Rust diseases spend part of their life cycle on junipers. Root rot may occur in wet, poorly drained soils. Insect pests include aphids, bag worms, twig borers, web worms and spider mites.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy, and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.