Juniperus horizontalis 'Bar Harbor'

'Bar Harbor’ juniper is a low-growing, needled evergreen shrub or groundcover in the Cupressaceae (cypress) family. The parent plant is native to the northern part of North America. Its species name horizentalis refers to the tendency of its long, trailing branches to spread much farther horizontally than it grows vertically.

The parent plant is found growing in rocky or sandy soils from rocky outcrops to streams, making this shrub fairly adaptable to various soil types and pH as long as the soil is well drained. ‘Bar Harbor’ is drought and deer tolerant, fairly salt tolerant, and grows well in coastal conditions. It prefers full sun and tolerates hot weather, moderately poor soils, and many air pollutants found in urban areas.This juniper grows to about 1 foot in height and spreads to a width of 6 to 8 feet. Plant 6 to 8 feet apart. It can be severely pruned without damaging the plant.

This cultivar, which is typically male, has gray-green or blue-green foliage in the summer that becomes a reddish-purple in the winter. 

‘Bar Harbor’ is a versatile plant that is not too dense. Use this cultivar as a ground cover on slopes, where it can help control soil erosion, or in rock gardens or retaining walls.  Its horizontal form makes it ideal to plant along a walkway or near a patio.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Like most junipers, 'Bar Harbor' is subject to infestation by aphids, bagworms, caterpillars, false spider mites, spruce spider mites, juniper tip mites, juniper and other scales, and juniper webworm. It is also susceptible to blights and some fungal diseases. A wet location may cause root rot.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common juniper diseases and insect pests.

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Juniperus horizontalis.