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Juniperus sabina var. davurica 'Expansa'

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Juniperus davurica 'Expansa'
Phonetic Spelling
jew-NIP-er-us sa-BY-nuh duh-VUR-ih-kah
Description

'Expansa' is tough, cold hardy, evergreen juniper cultivar with long, spreading, slender branches that grows 2 to 3 feet high and 9 feet across. It has excellent heat and tolerance, can handle fair amounts of shade, and thrives in most soils from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.  A very adaptable plant, but especially well suited for the harsh, high humidity of the coastal southeastern U.S.

This variety holds good sage green color extremely well all year long, with virtually no change in colder weather. This plant works well as an evergreen foreground plant, as an accent plant, as a lower-growing ground cover along borders or rocky banks and under trees, or as a foundation plant if there are at least 4 hours of full sun per day.  It is also good for erosion control or for use in areas like steep slopes. Full sun is required for best ground coverage. This plant is easy to transplant and has no serious pest or disease problems. This variety is a relatively fast grower and will cover 2'-3' in two growing seasons. Introduced in 1862 from Japan by Parson's Nursery in NY.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Stout, rigid primary branches grow horizontally above the ground, forming a mound
  • Secondary branches form attractive, flat, dense spray
  • Produces berry-like cones that are globose, 1/4", purplish-brown, and glaucous
  • Has awl and scale leaves that are a gray-sage green
  • Leaves have prominent glaucous markings around overlapping edges (alligator/reptilian-like)

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Aphids, bagworm, caterpillars, false spider mites, juniper scale, juniper tip mite, juniper webworm, and spruce spider mites are insect problems.  Cercospora needle blight, phomopsis blight, cedar apple rust, and fungal diseases are common.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#salt tolerant#shade garden#low maintenance#accent plant#erosion control#showy fruits#small mammals#fast growing#cpp#mounding#transplant#deer resistant#blue-green leaves#foundation planting#frost tolerant#groundcover#border planting#fantz#Japanese garden#border front#understory planting#coastal plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#salt tolerant#shade garden#low maintenance#accent plant#erosion control#showy fruits#small mammals#fast growing#cpp#mounding#transplant#deer resistant#blue-green leaves#foundation planting#frost tolerant#groundcover#border planting#fantz#Japanese garden#border front#understory planting#coastal plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Juniperus
    Species:
    sabina
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Wildlife Value:
    Mature plants produce juniper berries, which are eaten by birds and other forms of wildlife.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    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 pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Fruits produced by this plant are berry-like cones, globose, purple-brown with glaucous coating, and 1/4" in diameter.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers, pollen cones.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves can either be awl or scale. They are a gray-sage green color with prominent glaucous markings around overlapping edges of adjacent scales (that are alligator/reptilian-like).
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stems are stout. Rigid primary stems grow horizontally above the ground forming a mound. Secondary branches form attractive, flat, dense sprays.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Heat
    Salt