Parson's Juniper

Juniperus sabina (jew-NIP-er-us sa-BY-nuh duh-VUR-ih-kah)

Family: Cupressaceae Unknown Shrub (3-15 ft)

Parson's Juniper, or 'Expansa', is tough, cold hardy, evergreen juniper cultivar of J.sabina with long, spreading, slender branches that grows 2 to 3 feet high and 9 feet across. It has excellent heat tolerance, can handle fair amounts of shade, and thrives in most soils from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. A very adaptable plant, Parson's Juniper is especially well suited for the harsh, high humidity of the coastal southeastern United States. This variety holds good sage green color extremely well all year long, with virtually no change in colder weather. This plant works well as an evergreen foreground plant, as an accent plant, as a lower-growing ground cover along borders or rocky banks and under trees, or as a foundation plant if there are at least 4 hours of full sun per day. It is also good for erosion control or for use in areas like steep slopes. Full sun is required for best ground coverage. This plant is easy to transplant and has no serious pest or disease problems. This variety is a relatively fast grower and will cover 2 to 3 feet in two growing seasons. This cultivar was introduced in 1862 from Japan by Parson's Nursery in New York, thus the common name. Quick ID Hints: Stout, rigid primary branches grow horizontally above the ground, forming a mound. Secondary branches form attractive, flat, dense spray. Produces berry-like cones that are globose, 1/4 inch, purplish-brown, and glaucous. Has awl and scale leaves that are a gray-sage green. Leaves have prominent glaucous markings around overlapping edges (alligator/reptilian-like). Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, bagworm, caterpillars, false spider mites, juniper scale, juniper tip mite, juniper webworm, and spruce spider mites are insect problems. Cercospora needle blight, phomopsis blight, cedar apple rust, and fungal diseases are common . The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common juniper diseases and insect pests.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 43 attributes.