Plant DetailShow Menu

Plants that fill a similar niche:
Baptisia alba Baptisia alba
Juniperus communis var. depressa Juniperus comunis var. depressa
Schizachyrium scoparium Schizachyrium scoparius
Juniperus communis 'Compressa' has some common insect problems:
Pests of Conifers

Noah's Ark juniper Juniperus communis 'Compressa'

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
jew-NIP-er-us KOM-yoo-nis
Description

Juniperus communis or common juniper does it all.  As well as being cold tolerant, it is also heat and humidity tolerant, making it the most widely growing conifer in the world; native as far north as the Arctic Circle and as far south as North Carolina, and across Europe through Asia.  It grows best in full sun with medium moisture.  

Although it typically grows as an erect, multi-stemmed shrub up to 3' in height, its location will affect its growth pattern.  In harsh conditions, it can grow as a low-growing, spreading plant up to 12" tall.  In other conditions, it can grow more resembling a tree with a height of up to 45'.

Seeds/berries from the juniper have a variety of uses, one being the dominant flavoring of gin.  

'Compressa' is a dwarf, dense, erect, cone-shaped shrub with branches that are narrowly upright.  Its silvery-blue foliage can be somewhat prickly.  This dense evergreen will mature to a height of 2-6' and a narrow spread of 1-1.5'.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Juniper blight can be a major issue.  Cedar apple rust and wilt are less serious. Mites, borers, scale, and bagworms are some insects that may affect the health of this plant. 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 communis var. communis.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#native tree#blue green needles#native perennial#native shrub#low maintenance#dwarf#windbreak#air pollution tolerant#erosion control#disease resistant#pest resistant#deer resistant#edible fruits#food source fall#rocky soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#fall color orange#native edible#food source winter
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#native tree#blue green needles#native perennial#native shrub#low maintenance#dwarf#windbreak#air pollution tolerant#erosion control#disease resistant#pest resistant#deer resistant#edible fruits#food source fall#rocky soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#fall color orange#native edible#food source winter
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Juniperus
    Species:
    communis
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Edibility:
    The fruit is edible.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Columnar
    Dense
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
    Appendage:
    Prickles
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Very Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Green
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Although there are no true fruits, female plants will produce 1/2" green seed cones which are "berry looking" (juniper berries). These will ripen to a dark-blue/black color. and are edible.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    As a conifer, there are not true flowers. But there are small yellow blooms which are not significant in appearance, and on female plants they are followed by 1/2" seed cones.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves grow in whorls of 3. In the fall they have a copper color.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Small Tree
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Erosion
    Pollution