Juniperus virginiana 'Silver Spreader'

‘Silver Spreader’ juniper is an evergreen shrub in the cypress family (Cupressaceae). It is a cultivar of eastern redcedar, a conifer native to North America that grows from Maine south to Florida and west to South Dakota and Texas.

This juniper is easily grown in dry to moist, well-drained soils of average fertility in full sun. In good conditions it will grow to 2 to 3 feet in height and spread horizontally to reach a width of 4 to 6 feet. It tolerates a broad range of soils and environments. It is also deer resistant.

‘Silver Spreader’ is grown for its unusual greenish silver foliage. Plant this shrub in a lawn or along a slope or bank. It is appropriate for smaller spaces and works well in small groups or as a border planting in rock or winter gardens.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Juniper species are susceptible to infestation by aphids, bagworms, caterpillars, false spider mites, juniper scale, juniper tip mite, juniper webworm, and spruce spider mites.This shrub and its cultivars are susceptible to Cercospora needle blight, Phomopsis, and other blights, as well as some fungal diseases. It shares with apple trees a susceptibility to a rust fungus called Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae. This fungus causes "cedar apples" on juniper twigs and dark leaf spots on apple leaves.

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

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Juniperus virginiana.