Chinese juniper Juniperus chinensis 'Shimpaku'
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Chinese juniper:
- Phonetic Spelling
- jew-NIP-er-us chi-NEN-sis
- Description
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Juniperus Chinensis 'Shimpaku' is a dwarf variety of the Chinese juniper. Chinese juniper is an evergreen conifer, that in the wild can grow into a tree form. Many varieties of the Chinese juniper are sold as cultivated varieties. They range from large trees to small shrubs.
'Shimpaku' is a vase-shaped, slow-growing cultivar, taking up to 10 years to reach its maximum height of 3' and spread of 5'. It has gray-green to dark green needles that are soft to the touch. Its flaking or peeling bark will come off the plant in strips.
This plant can tolerate a wide range of soils from acidic to alkaline, to clay, to rocky, but prefers a well-drained, medium soil with moderate water in full sun.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues. May be affected by tip and needle blight. Root rot can be an issue if good drainage is not provided. Aphids, bagworms, and webworms are minor insect problems. As most junipers, this can be susceptible to Cedar Apple Rust. 'Shimpaku', like other junipers is deer, drought, air pollution, salt, and erosion resistant.
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 Shimpaku.
- 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
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer, salt, air pollution, drought, erosion
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 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:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Gray-green to dark green needles. Grown for its foliage.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Peeling
- Bark Description:
- Peeling, flaking bark.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Rock Wall
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Erosion
- Poor Soil
- Salt
