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Juniperus procumbens is often confused with:
Juniperus conferta Juniperus conferta 'blue pacific'
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Juniperus conferta Juniperus conferta 'blue pacific'
Juniperus conferta 'Blue Pacific' Juniperus conferta 'Blue Pacific'
Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star' Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star'
Juniperus procumbens has some common insect problems:
Juniper Pest Management Calendar
Juniper Tip Dwarf Mite
Juniper Scale Insect
Pests of Conifers
Juniperus procumbens has some other problems:
Juniper Webworm

Juniperus procumbens

Previously known as:

  • Juniperus chinensis var. procumbens
Phonetic Spelling
jew-NIP-er-us pro-KUM-benz
Description

Japanese juniper is a dwarf, needled, evergreen shrub, a native of southern Japan with low, prostrate, branches that spread parallel and low to the ground. At maturity, it is under 2 feet high, but its long trailing branches can have a spread of up to 15 feet. The genus name comes from the Latin name for the juniper and the species name means prostrate.

Japanese juniper grows best in full sun, in average, well-drained soils. It tolerates a wide range of soils, including poor soil, but prefers a dry, sandy soil. It also does well in hot and dry conditions, or in urban environments. However, it does not tolerate wet soils.

Japanese juniper, because of its size and spread, is typically used as a ground cover that, over time, forms a large, dense mat. It can be severely pruned. It is especially suited to rock gardens or cascading over retaining walls. Growth is slow and it often takes up more than 10 years to reach its maximum spread. This plant is seldom damaged by deer and is moderately salt tolerant.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: In general, junipers are susceptible to blights that cause stem tips to die back. Rust diseases spend part of their life cycle on junipers. Root rot may occur in wet, poorly drained soils. Insect pests include aphids, bag worms, twig borers, web worms and spider mites.

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

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy, and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Kishiogima', 'Nana'
Tags:
#evergreen#slow growing#salt tolerant#lawn alternative#spreading#needled evergreen#deer resistant#groundcover
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Kishiogima', 'Nana'
Tags:
#evergreen#slow growing#salt tolerant#lawn alternative#spreading#needled evergreen#deer resistant#groundcover
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Juniperus
    Species:
    procumbens
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Western and southern Korea, southern Japan to Nansei-shoto.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Horizontal
    Prostrate
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Description:
    Fleshy seed cones (blackish berries at maturity) are often absent on cultivated plants. Pollen cones shed their pollen in spring. Seed cones mature about 18 months after pollination.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    This plant does not flower.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Prickly
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Spiny blue-green to gray-green needles (to 1/3 of an inch long) are primarily linear and appear in whorls of three. The foliage retains its color in winter.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Branches spread parallel to and slightly above the ground. They tend to intertwine and form a dense mat.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Rock Wall
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Erosion
    Poor Soil
    Salt