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Juniperus virginiana 'Globosa'

Phonetic Spelling
jew-NIP-er-us vir-jin-ee-AN-uh
Description

‘Globosa’ juniper is a  compact, dense, 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. It tolerates a broad range of soils and environments, from seasonally flooded areas to dry, rocky ground. It prefers moist soils but is intolerant of constantly wet soils. It has the best drought resistance of any conifer native to the eastern United States. It tolerates heat, wind, and many air pollutants found in urban areas. It is deer-tolerant and rabbit resistant.

‘Globosa’ is easily grown in dry to moist, well-drained soils of average fertility, in dappled sunlight to full sun or partial shade. In good conditions it will grow to 5 to 10 feet in height and reach a width of 5 to 10 feet. This tree is easy to transplant and a tough, dependable shrub. Plant 6 to 12 feet apart. 

The bark is a dark brown or red to burgundy color and fibrous, peeling off in narrow strips. When mature, ‘Globosa’ has green scale-like foliage with the crowded branchlets turning a bronze-brown in winter. Two varieties of leaves can be found on this juniper. Juvenile leaves are sharp and needle-like. They are present on plants up to 3 years old, and as shoots on adult trees.  After 3 years of growth, the leaves are tight, scale-like needles appearing in opposite pairs crossing in an 'x' pattern, or whorls of three.  

‘Globosa’ works well as a barrier, hedge, or border planting. Use it for a privacy screen or foundation planting.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Caterpillars and leaf miners can be an issue for this plant. ‘Globosa’ is susceptible to twig blight and scale. Bagworms are also a problem. Mites may occur. It shares with apple trees susceptibility to a rust fungus called Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae. This fungus causes "cedar apples" on red cedar 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.

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Tags:
#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#colorful leaves#slopes#rabbit resistant#air pollution tolerant#wind tolerant#deer resistant#evergreen shrub#humidity tolerant#bird friendly#coastal plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#colorful leaves#slopes#rabbit resistant#air pollution tolerant#wind tolerant#deer resistant#evergreen shrub#humidity tolerant#bird friendly#coastal plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Juniperus
    Species:
    virginiana
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds are attracted to the fleshy cones ("juniper berries").
    Play Value:
    Buffer
    Easy to Grow
    Screening
    Textural
    Wildlife Food Source
    Dimensions:
    Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    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
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Two types of leaves are present, sharp, spreading, needle-like juvenile leave and tight scale-like adult leaves. They are arranged in opposite pairs or whorls of three.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Red/Burgundy
    Bark Description:
    Fibrous reddish-brown bark peels off in narrow strips.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Lawn
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Rock Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer