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About this plant
Juniper Juniperus
Junipers (Juniperus) are evergreen conifers of the cypress family, found across the northern hemisphere from mountains to coasts. The genus ranges from creeping ground covers to upright columns and small trees. The foliage consists of short needles, flat scales or both, and smells aromatic when crushed; female plants carry small, berry-like cones that ripen blue-black.
Flaky juniper Juniperus squamata
The flaky juniper comes from the mountains between Afghanistan and China. Its short, sharp needles stand in whorls of three and are often blue-grey with a pale band, while the bark is brown and scaly. Depending on the form it grows slowly into a creeping ground cover, a low cushion or an upright shrub.
Location and soil
Full sun and any well-drained soil, from poor and stony to calcareous; light, sandy soils suit it well. It dislikes wet feet, especially in winter, and does poorly in hot, humid conditions. Very hardy.
Pruning and care
Water regularly during the first two summers; once established it copes with occasional drought. Pruning is not needed. To keep a plant smaller, shorten only the young shoots, because bare old wood does not sprout again.
Use in the garden
Ideal for rock gardens, slopes, borders and the front of shrub plantings, and well suited to pots. Low forms make a dense evergreen ground cover. The pollen can cause respiratory allergies.
Plant characteristics
Botanical
| Family | Cupressaceae |
| Genus | Juniperus |
| Species | squamata |
| Cultivar | 'Blue Carpet' |
Foliage
| Evergreen | yes |
| Colour (foliage) | green, blue, needles |
Growth habit
| Height | 20 cm |
Location
| Winter hardiness | -30 °C, -25 °C |
| Soil type | acid, neutral |
| Location | sun, half shade |
| Soil moisture | moist, dry, normal |
Use
| Type (use) | solitary, in group, conifer |
| Fruits/berries | eadible |
Care
| Pruning | june to september |
