San Jose Chinese Juniper Juniperus chinensis 'San Jose'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- jew-NIP-er-us chi-NEN-sis SAN ho-ZAY
- Description
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'San Jose' is a dense low growing evergreen shrub in the cypress family native to Asia. It grows in a prostrate, mat-like groundcover with long trailing branches that are spreading and upward reaching. It is 6-8 feet wide at maturity and 1-1.5 feet tall. The soft needle to scale-like foliage is sage green and attractive year round. This plant tolerates a variety of conditions such as drought, many types of pH values and soil including clay and rocky soil, but prefers a medium, well-drained soil. It grows best in a sunny location but can take partial shade. It is resistant to damage from deer, salt, and air pollution while effective in erosion control.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Tip and needle blight can affect this plant. Cedar-apple rust is an issue for most junipers. Insure good drainage to avoid root rot. See the "Pests of Conifers" fact sheet to the left.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common juniper diseases and insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Juniperus
- Species:
- chinensis
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Ground cover, erosion control
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China, Mongolia, Japan, Himalayas
- Play Value:
- Colorful
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer, salt, air pollution
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Shrub
- Habit/Form:
- Prostrate
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- 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:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- No true fruits, but female cones are blue, fleshy "berry" looking and edible, often used as a seasoning.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No flowers, but cones are large and brown and fall apart upon maturity. Female cones are blue fleshy "berry" looking.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Awl-shaped sage-green leaves loosely pressed to the stem. Grown for its foliage.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Pollution
- Salt
