Juniperus communis-Pasture juniper

Description

We native plant folks are always on our soapbox telling you “Don’t plant this, plant this! You don’t have to plant those non-native cultivar big box store junipers, you can plant one of our wonderful native ground covers, pasture juniper! Yes, it is a bit slow growing, but in a few years that bare piece of land will be covered in a luxurious, albeit prickly undulating sea of blue green tranquility. Pasture juniper rolls across the landscape like a carpet, providing habitat and food for all manner of animals. Needs full sun and dry well drained soils to be happy. This species has male and female plants, our plants are unsexed. I often find this plant growing with lowbush blueberry or bearberry.

The cultural requirements (planting conditions) for this plant are very important. It is intolerant of rich, organic soils that are moisture retentive. It is adapted to what we would consider “poor” soils; soils that are low in organic matter and nutrients in general, moderately to quick draining. Overhead irrigation can cause foliar distress and disease, especially if in rich soils. In the wild, it is happiest on southern facing slopes, in full sun.

15″-18″ high, 3 gallon pot size, $45 each