Parson's Juniper Juniperus sabina var. davurica 'Expansa'
Other plants called Parson's Juniper:
Previously known as:
- Juniperus davurica 'Expansa'
- Phonetic Spelling
- jew-NIP-er-us sa-BY-nuh duh-VUR-ih-kah
- Description
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Parson's Juniper, or 'Expansa', is tough, cold hardy, evergreen juniper cultivar of J.sabina with long, spreading, slender branches that grows 2 to 3 feet high and 9 feet across. It has excellent heat tolerance, can handle fair amounts of shade, and thrives in most soils from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. A very adaptable plant, Parson's Juniper is especially well suited for the harsh, high humidity of the coastal southeastern United States.
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 to 3 feet in two growing seasons. This cultivar was introduced in 1862 from Japan by Parson's Nursery in New York, thus the common name.
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 inch, 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.
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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Juniperus
- Species:
- sabina
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- 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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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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 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
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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.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- Confers do not have flowers; produces pollen cones.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- 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).
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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.
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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
