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Hedgehog spruce Juniperus communis 'Echiniformis'

Other Common Name(s):

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

Hedgehog juniper , or 'Echiniformis' is a cultivar in the Cupressaceae (cypress) family was introduced by S.J. Rinz nursery in Frankfurt Germany in the late 1880's. 

This dwarf specimen is a rounded Chinese juniper in the cypress family with a dense, short branching pattern. This slow-growing plant has a bluish-green color with needle-like juvenile foliage and grows 16 inches high and 16 inches wide.

Grow this plant in full sun in average, well-drained garden soil. It is drought tolerant and prefers being on the dry side.

Use in a rock garden, planted in small groups near a patio, along a slope, in a container, or as a border front. It is commonly used in bonsai or as part of an Asian themed garden.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Insects that may damage this juniper include bagworms, webworms, and scale.  Blight and rust issues are common on junipers

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:
#hardy#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#low growing#shrub#slow growing#blue green needles#bonsai#slopes#dwarf#needled evergreen#deer resistant#low growing plant#groundcover#rock garden#Asian garden#poor soils tolerant#border front#small group plantings#self-fertile#container plant#dense growth#patio#prickles
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hardy#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#low growing#shrub#slow growing#blue green needles#bonsai#slopes#dwarf#needled evergreen#deer resistant#low growing plant#groundcover#rock garden#Asian garden#poor soils tolerant#border front#small group plantings#self-fertile#container plant#dense growth#patio#prickles
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Juniperus
    Species:
    communis
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Germany
    Play Value:
    Defines Paths
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 4 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 4 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Mounding
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    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
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 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 fruits, cones.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Prickly
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Short needle-like juvenile blue-green foliage.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Very short, dense branches.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil