Shimpaku' is a dwarf variety of the Chinese juniper. 'Shimpaku' is a vase-shaped, slow-growing cultivar, taking up to 10 years to reach its maximum height of 3' and spread of 5'. It has gray-green to dark green needles that are soft to the touch. Its flaking or peeling bark will come off the plant in strips. This plant can tolerate a wide range of soils from acidic to alkaline, to clay, to rocky, but prefers a well-drained, medium soil with moderate water in full sun. Use in an Asian, drought-tolerant or winter garden. It can be used as a foundation plant, in borders or in groups. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues. May be affected by tip and needle blight. Root rot can be an issue if good drainage is not provided. Aphids, bagworms, and webworms are minor insect problems. As most junipers, this can be susceptible to Cedar Apple Rust. 'Shimpaku', like other junipers is deer, drought, air pollution, salt, and erosion resistant. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common juniper diseases and insect pests. Details of Juniperus chinensis follow, many of which apply to Shimpaku. More information on Juniperus chinensis .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheJuniperus chinensis 'Parsonii'Juniperus chinensis 'Sea Green'Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Needles
Leaf feel
Soft
Leaf value
Showy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Gray-green to dark green needles. Grown for its foliage.
Flower detail
No flowers, but cones are large and brown and fall apart upon maturity. Female cones are blue fleshy "berry" looking.
Fruit detail
No true fruits, but female cones are blue, fleshy "berry" looking and edible, often used as a seasoning.
Bark color
Dark Brown
Bark detail
Peeling, flaking bark.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Patio; Pool/Hardscape; Rock Wall; Walkways
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Drought Tolerant Garden; Rock Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Foundation Planting; Mass Planting; Small groups; Specimen