Plant DetailShow Menu

Skandia Savin Juniper Juniperus sabina 'Skandia'

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
jew-NIP-er-us sah-BY-nah
Description

Savin Juniper is a low growing needled evergreen conifer shrub and a female cultivar of J. sabina in the cypress family, a genus that is native to Europe. Like most of the J. sabina family, Savin Juniper is a wide spreading plant reaching a height of 18 inches and a width of 10 feet at maturity. The bright green scale-like foliage is attractive, especially in winter and, when crushed, gives of an aroma that is unpleasant to some. As a female cultivar, it produces bluish-black, fleshy seed cones.

It is easy to grow in full sun, with average water requirements, in well-drained soil. Once established, the plant is tolerant of a wide variety of soils, except for poorly drained ones. It is drought tolerant and grows well on limestone soils. It is, however, intolerant of wet soils.

This plant's hardiness, coupled with its low habit and large spread make it useful in a rock garden, on slopes for erosion control and as a ground cover. It is not considered particularly ornamental, compared to some junipers, and can be hard to find in commerce; however, it can be useful as a landscape plant.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to tip and needle blights. Root rot may occur, particularly in wet, poorly drained soils. Canker may attack bark or main stems. Occasional insect pests include aphids, bagworms, webworms, borers and scale. Watch for spider mites.

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

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#low growing#dwarf#spreading#needled evergreen#deer resistant#groundcover#exfoliating bark
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#low growing#dwarf#spreading#needled evergreen#deer resistant#groundcover#exfoliating bark
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Juniperus
    Species:
    sabina
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Wildlife Value:
    Deer resistant
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Prostrate
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    Male plants produce catkin-like pollen cones. Female plants produce bluish-black seed cones.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    Junipers do not have flowers
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Feathery green foliage with no purplish color in winter. Crushed foliage releases an unpleasant aroma. Leaves come in two types: scale-like (adult) and awl/needle-like (juvenile).
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Bark Description:
    Bark on mature stems peels in strips.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Erosion
    Pollution
    Rabbits