Juniperus communis 'Depressa'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- jew-NIP-er-us KOM-yoo-nis
- Description
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'Depressa' is a native, low-growing juniper that is very tolerant of adverse conditions with the exception of heat and humidity, and is hardy through several USDA Zones from 2-6. Drought tolerance is good after it is established; also disease and insect tolerant. It grows throughout the Arctic Circle, Canada and North America as well as the United Kingdom in well-drained sunny areas and even in dry, rocky, and sandy soils. It is extremely tolerant of cold temperatures, but due to heat and humidity intolerance, these junipers are not widely successful below Zone 6.
It has a broad, low, vase-shaped form and ascending branchlet tips which is attractive as a specimen plant in the landscape or as foundation plants. Though the small cones of female plants of this dioecious species resemble berries, they are not true fruits. However, they have a pungent flavor and are used in cooking and folklore medications.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Juniperus
- Species:
- communis
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North America and Greenland
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Broad
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2b, 2a, 3b, 3a, 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Winter
- 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 true flowers, but cones are large and brown and fall apart upon maturity. Female cones are blue fleshy "berry" looking
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Awl-like gray-green to blue-green needles with sharp points. Glaucous band on the upper surface with a green margin. Brown winter color.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
