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Native alternative(s) for Juniperus communis 'Hibernica':
Juniperus communis var. communis Juniperus communis
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Juniperus scopulorum Form
Pinus ponderosa Pinus ponderosa
Salvia rosmarinus Rosmarinus officinalis
Juniperus communis 'Hibernica' has some common insect problems:
Juniper Webworm
Juniper Pest Management Calendar
Juniper Tip Dwarf Mite
Juniper Scale Insect
Pests of Conifers

Irish Juniper Juniperus communis 'Hibernica'

Phonetic Spelling
jew-NIP-er-us KOM-yoo-nis
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Irish juniper  or 'Hibernica' is a large, needled, evergreen shrub, cultivar of 'Juniperus communis' in the Cupressaceae (cypress) family.  It grows as a dense, upright narrow column that becomes broader and conical with age from 5 to 15 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide. The branch tips are stiff and erect. Confers do not bear flowers, but the short needles are tightly crowded on the twig, 3 at a whorl, and fleshy seed cones, bluish and berry-like, create a winter interest. Male and female cones are produced on separate plants. Female plants produce 1/2 inch wide, fleshy, fruit-like seed cones commonly referred to as juniper berries. The plant is low maintenance and requires little to no pruning.

Plant in the full sun in well drained soil.  It is resistant to drought once established and is not often browsed by deer. Irish Juniper does well in sandy, loamy, and clay soils, but prefers medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. It will tolerate heavy clay, nutritionally poor soils, and very acid and very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). Established plants tolerate cold temperatures as well as heat and humidity.

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:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#fragrant leaves#columnar#needled evergreen#deer resistant#vertical spaces#border back#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#fragrant leaves#columnar#needled evergreen#deer resistant#vertical spaces#border back#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Juniperus
    Species:
    communis
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds feed on berries.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Columnar
    Conical
    Dense
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    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:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    12-24 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Blue
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    No fruits, cones. Fleshy seed cones are bluish and berry-like. On female plants, cones emerge green but gradually ripen by fall to a waxy dark blue to black. Each cone usually contains two or three seeds and ripens in the 2nd or 3rd year.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Prickly
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Acicular
    Subulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Bluish-green foliage with a silver band. Dull blue-green when young.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Bark Description:
    Exfoliating bark is often an attractive reddish-brown.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Vertical Spaces
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Salt
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Low toxicity if eaten. Large amounts may cause diarrhea.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Volatile oils including thujone.
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Seeds