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Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola is often confused with:
Juniperus virginiana Juniperus virginiana
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Ilex vomitoria Ilex vomitoria
Ilex x 'Savannah' Winter form, Pitt County Arboretum
Juniperus virginiana Juniperus virginiana
Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola has some common insect problems:
Juniper Pest Management Calendar
Juniper Webworm
Juniper Tip Dwarf Mite
Juniper Scale Insect

Southern Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola

Phonetic Spelling
jew-NIP-er-us vir-jin-ee-AY-nuh sil-iss-ih-KOL-ah
Description

Coastal red cedar is a needled evergreen tree in the Cupressaceae (cypress) family native to the southeastern coastal plains of the U.S.A.  This common tree is found growing in sand dunes and marshes yet, it does not like an overabundance of water.

This small round red cedar has plump cones (3-4 mm long) with scale-like leaves forming on the slender extremity of the sprig on the slow-growing shoots.   

The bark is an attractive cinnamon red color, providing winter interest in the landscape and it can be planted as a hedge, or an evergreen barrier.

This plant may be confused with: Juniperus virginiana The fleshy cones on Southern coastal redcedar are smaller than those of Eastern Redcedar (3-4 mm long vs. 4-7 mm long).

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Junipers are susceptible to a variety of insect pests like aphids, bagworms, caterpillars, spider mites, juniper scales, juniper tip dwarf mites, juniper webworms, and spruce spider mites..

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.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#interesting bark#winter interest#windbreak#highly beneficial coastal plants#cpp#NC native#screening#coastal plant#barrier#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#interesting bark#winter interest#windbreak#highly beneficial coastal plants#cpp#NC native#screening#coastal plant#barrier#hedge
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Juniperus
    Species:
    virginiana
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South Eastern U.S.A
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Spreading
    Weeping
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Blue
    Green
    White
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Spring
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    This plump cone in spring is green following with a bluish color and eventually having a white topping.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Shape:
    Acicular
    Obtuse
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The shorter shiny scale-like leaves being bluntly obtuse to acute at the tip of a stem grow on the slow-growing shoots.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Papery
    Bark Description:
    The bark's new growth is green turning to a striking cinnamon red color as it matures.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Hedge