Plumosa Compacta Juniper Juniperus horizontalis 'Plumosa Compacta'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- jew-NIP-er-us hor-ih-zon-TAL-iss plew-MOH-sah com-PAK-tah
- Description
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Andorra Juniper is a flat-spreading, evergreen shrub that grows 1-2" high and 4'-6' wide and stays full in the center. Its blue-green foliage turns purple in winter. It has a moderate growth rate, is fine textured, has good ground cover, is good to be planted in mass, and is good as a border or as foundation planting (as long as there are several hours of sun per day. It can also be used for Bonsai. This plant prefers full sun and well-drained, acidic to slightly alkaline soil. It is intolerant of shade but is tolerant of dry heat and drought. This plant is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, twig borers, and Phomopsis twig blight.
Quick ID Hints:
- Mostly awl-shaped leaves but can also be intermediate, opposite, or in whorls of threes
- Gray-green leaves appear in the summer and turn light purple in the winter
- Foliage is sticky
- Female cone is 1/4" in diameter, globose, bluish or greenish-black, and glaucous
- This plant is a flat-spreading, evergreen shrub
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Children's Secret Garden- Wilson Botanical Gardens
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:


- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Juniperus
- Species:
- horizontalis
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Shrub
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Blue
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Plant produces female fruits that are 1/4" in diameter, globose, bluish or greenish-black, and glaucous.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are mostly awl-shaped but can also be intermediate, opposite, or occasionally in whorls of threes. Leaves are gray-green in the summer and light purple in the winter. Foliage is sticky. Often grown for its foliage.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems are very long and floppy and form large, dense mats.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer