PSC 2620: Woody Trees and ShrubCourse HomeWeek 12

Juniperus horizontalis - Horizontal Juniper

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Horizontal Juniper grows very low to the ground and is wide-spreading. The foliage is composed of small scale-like leaves that overlap each other and hug the stem.

Plant Description

Juniperus horizontalis, or Horizontal Juniper, is a low and dense spreading coniferous evergreen shrub. It thrives in hot, dry locations, but will perform well under damp conditions as well. It grows 1-2 feet high and 4-8 feet wide, with long trailing branches the stay close to the ground. It forms a dense mat that is very effective as a groundcover and choking out other plants. It is one of the most over-used species of plants, especially in commercial landscapes, and but has largely fallen out of favor with private consumers. The bark is a red-brown color and exfoliate with age.

The foliage is composed of shiny dark green scale-like leaves. Young leaves have an awl-like shape while the mature leaves are scales. The small scales are arranged in ranks of four around the stem. The leaves are very small, less than 1/6 inch long and blue-green in color. In the winter, they turn a slight purple color, with the change more pronounced in certain varieties. The plant develops small blue fruits 1/4 - 1/3 inch in diameter. The fruit are actually cones, but look like berries.

Landscape Use

Use as a dense groundcover or for erosion control. It is especially popular as a foundation planting, for use in parking islands, or any other dry and hot locations. While it is still immensely popular as in commercial plantings, especially for its weed suppression ability and ease of care, it has gained a reputation as being a spider-nest and tired plant.

Notable Cultivars

Youngstown
This cultivar grows up to 2 feet high and spreads up to 8 feet. The foliage is gray green and turns a rich purple in the winter.



Mother Lode
The foliage on this variety is variegated green and yellow. It stays lower to the ground and only spreads 3-4 feet wide.



Wiltonii
Also known as Blue Rug, it is an old and popular variety. It grows only 6 inches tall and spreads to 8 feet wide. The foliage is a silver-blue color, as are the cones. In the winter the foliage turns a purplish color.