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Juniperus virginiana 'Silver Spreader'

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
jew-NIP-er-us vir-jin-ee-AN-uh
Description

‘Silver Spreader’ juniper is an evergreen shrub in the cypress family (Cupressaceae). It is a cultivar of eastern redcedar, a conifer native to North America that grows from Maine south to Florida and west to South Dakota and Texas.

This juniper is easily grown in dry to moist, well-drained soils of average fertility in full sun. In good conditions it will grow to 2 to 3 feet in height and spread horizontally to reach a width of 4 to 6 feet. It tolerates a broad range of soils and environments. It is also deer resistant.

‘Silver Spreader’ is grown for its unusual greenish silver foliage. Plant this shrub in a lawn or along a slope or bank. It is appropriate for smaller spaces and works well in small groups or as a border planting in rock or winter gardens.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Juniper species are susceptible to infestation by aphids, bagworms, caterpillars, false spider mites, juniper scale, juniper tip mite, juniper webworm, and spruce spider mites.This shrub and its cultivars are susceptible to Cercospora needle blight, Phomopsis, and other blights, as well as some fungal diseases. It shares with apple trees a susceptibility to a rust fungus called Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae. This fungus causes "cedar apples" on juniper twigs and dark leaf spots on apple leaves.

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

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Juniperus virginiana.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#shrub#slow growing#colorful leaves#deer resistant#shrub borders#foliage
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#shrub#slow growing#colorful leaves#deer resistant#shrub borders#foliage
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Juniperus
    Species:
    virginiana
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Horizontal
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    Berry-like cones.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    It is a conifer, a non-flowering plant.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    Yes
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Rock Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Small groups
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer