Juniper, Red Cedar

Juniperus species

june-IP-er-us

Conifers - Cupressaceae

Explanation of name: Juniperus is an ancient name (BA1).

Natural range: Juniperus virginiana L. (Juniperus silicicola (Small) L. H. Bailey) is native to our area. The other species are introduced.

Recognition: The cultivated junipers are diverse. Among those in South Florida are:

Juniperus chinensis L. ‘Pfitzeriana Glauca’ (Blue Pfitzer Juniper) (branches rising at 45 degree angle to 2-4 feet tall)

            J. c. ‘Blue Point’ (shaped like a candle flame)

            J. c. ‘Blue Vase’ (more or less fastigiate)

            J. c. ‘Hetzii Columnaris’ (columnar, may be pruned into corkscrew) (Needles sharp vs. blunt in Italian Cypress of similar overall shape)

            J. c. ‘Nick’s Compact’ (resembles small < 3’ version of ‘Pfitzeriana Glauca’ with compact branching)

J. c. ‘Parsonii’ (the most commonly used Juniper in South Florida, may be variegated, shrubby, to 3’ tall, with branching somewhat irregular, often rising at 45 degrees, often planted densely for broad clumps or as ground cover)

            J. c. ‘Torulosa’ (or ‘Hollywood’) (twisted).

DEH gives J. davurica as the correct species identity of  ‘Parsonii’, although the species is listed in most references as pertaining to J. chinensis.

J. conferta Parl. ‘Blue Pacific’ (common) (forms a low-growing blue carpet to 2’ tall, branchlets upright)

            J. co. ‘Compacta’ (Dwarf Shore Juniper) (similar to ‘Blue Pacific’ but < 1’ tall)

J. horizontalis Moench ‘Wiltonii’ (Blue Rug Juniper) (resembles J. conferta cultivars but   stays especially low, forming a creeping blue rug, and see species distinctions in key)

J. procumbens  Miq. ‘Nana’ (Juniperus procumbens is sometimes interpreted as a synonym of J. chinensis) (‘Nana’ resembles J. conferta and J. horizontalis cultivars by having low, ground-covering bluish growth but is especially bristly with all its leaves needlelike, the branches rising a little off the ground, and the tiny branchlets all vertical)

Juniperus virginiana (J. silicicola) (native, tree-sized)

Junipers are difficult to distinguish, especially because there are similar cultivars (fastigiate, dwarf, procumbent, blue-toned) in different species.

Key to the Species of Juniperus Cultivated in South Florida (data largely from BA1)

1. Leaves needlelike, whorled, not decurrent (the base does not extend downward as a ridge    on the stem); male cones (resembling BBs) axillary; fruits > 1/3” diam.…Juniperus conferta  (leaves with a broad white band on top)

(Cones in this species > 1/3” diam.)

1. Leaves scalelike or needlelike, whorled or opposite, when needlelike the bases decurrent; male cones at the ends of twigs; cones < 1/3” diam.…2

2. Needlelike leaves (not necessarily the scaly ones) opposite (with some exceptions)…3

2. Needlelike leaves whorled (with some exceptions)…4

3. Trees; cones < ¼” diameter…Southern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

3. Prostrate mats with branches sprawling;  

cones 1/3" diam…Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)

4. Trees to small shrubs; leaves usually needlelike (juvenile) and scalelike (adult), the decurrent bases not with two white markings…Chinese Juniper (Juniperus chinensis)

4. Low, mound-shaped shrub; leaves all needlelike (all juvenile), the decurrent bases with two white markings (Juniperus procumbens)

Landscape Uses: Extremely variable and tough bristly trees to shrubs to ground covers tolerant of diverse conditions, including alkaline soils and usually drought. Some are popular for extreme pruning and for shaping as topiary, corkscrews, and  bonsai. Many are reliable ground covers. Most require full sun or light partial shade.

Extra information: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG/MG10900.pdf