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Chinese juniper Juniperus chinensis 'Shimpaku'

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Chinese juniper:

Phonetic Spelling
jew-NIP-er-us chi-NEN-sis
Description

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.

More information on Juniperus chinensis.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#salt tolerant#winter interest#air pollution tolerant#erosion control#deer resistant#evergreen shrub#compact habit#rocky soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#salt tolerant#winter interest#air pollution tolerant#erosion control#deer resistant#evergreen shrub#compact habit#rocky soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
  • 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:
    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.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Surface/Attachment:
    Peeling
    Bark Description:
    Peeling, flaking bark.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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