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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Juniperus chinensis 'Parsonii' Juniperus chinensis 'Parsonii'
Juniperus horizontalis 'Mother Lode' Juniperus horizontalis 'Mother Lode'
Thymus serpyllum Flowers
Juniperus chinensis 'San Jose' has some common insect problems:
Pests of Conifers

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

'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.

More information on Juniperus chinensis.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#low growing#salt tolerant#low maintenance#winter interest#erosion control#deer resistant#groundcover#gray-green leaves#shallow soil tolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#low growing#salt tolerant#low maintenance#winter interest#erosion control#deer resistant#groundcover#gray-green leaves#shallow soil tolerant
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Shrub
    Habit/Form:
    Prostrate
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No true fruits, but female cones are blue, fleshy "berry" looking and edible, often used as a seasoning.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers, but cones are large and brown and fall apart upon maturity. Female cones are blue fleshy "berry" looking.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Walkways
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Pollution
    Salt