Juniperus communis (jew-NIP-er-us KOM-yoo-nis variety de-PRESS-ah)
Family: CupressaceaeNativeShrub (3-15 ft)
Shrub (3-15 ft)Native
Canadian juniper is a naturally occurring native variety of needled evergreen shrub, groundcover, or small tree in the Cupressaceae (cypress) family. The genus name Juniperus means juniper in Latin and the species communis means common. This low-growing juniper that is very tolerant of adverse conditions with the exception of heat and humidity, and is hardy through several USDA Zones from 2-6. Plant in the full sun in dry well drained soils. It grows to a mature height of 3 to 6 feet with spreading trailing branches up to 12 feet. Gray green needles are awl shaped and stiff giving the shrub a prickly feel. Though the small cones of female plants of this dioecious species resemble berries, they are not true fruits. However, they have a pungent flavor and are used in cooking Drought and dry soil tolerance is good after it is established and it is also quite disease and insect tolerant. This plant succeeds in urban conditions being air pollution tolerant. It is extremely tolerant of cold temperatures, but due to heat and humidity intolerance, these junipers are not widely successful below Zone 6. It has a broad, low, vase-shaped form and ascending branchlet tips which is attractive as a specimen plant in the landscape or as foundation plants. The attractive foliage lends winder interest to the landscape. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Borers, bagworms, mites, midges, and scale are occasional insect problems. Juniper blight can affect any member of this genus. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common juniper diseases and insect pests. More information on Juniperus .
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.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | 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
Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
3 feet-6 feet; 6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Mountains
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Broad
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Blue; Gray/Silver; Green
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Awl-like gray-green to blue-green needles with sharp points. Glaucous band on the upper surface with a green margin. Brown winter color.
Fall color
Brown/Copper
Flower detail
No true 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.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Spring; Winter
Edibility
Cones are edible but pungent and are used to flavor gin, cooked meats and cabbages. Branches can be soaked in hot water to make tea.