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Juniperus horizontalis Moench

Creeping juniper, Creeping savin

Cupressaceae (Cypress Family)

USDA Symbol: juho2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Creeping juniper is a procumbent, mat-like, evergreen shrub, less than 3 ft. tall but up to 20 ft. wide. Long, trailing branches are covered with conspicuously glaucous, soft-textured, blue-green, scale-type foliage. Juvenile foliage is prickly. Dark blue, berry-like cones with a heavy, white bloom, persist through winter.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf: Green
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AK , CT , IA , IL , MA , ME , MI , MN , MT , ND , NE , NH , NY , OH , RI , SD , VT , WI , WY
Canada: AB , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , SK
Native Distribution: N.S. to s.e. AK, s. to NY, MN, Black Hills, Rockies to CO & c. B.C.
Native Habitat: Open, dry areas; hillsides; wash areas
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N), SPM(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Creeping juniper withstands hot, dry situations but is very intolerant of shade and poor drainage. It is slow-growing, long-lived, and susceptible to juniper blight.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Very high.
Fragrant Foliage: yes

Propagation

Description: Generally, cuttings should be taken after several hard freezes although references point to any time from July to April. Hormone treatment improves rooting. Propagation is also possible by seed. Seed can be sown outdoors in fall or stratified and sown
Seed Collection: Collect ripened fruits in fall or winter, clean by maceration, dry seeds, and store in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: Stratify at 41 degrees for 30-120 days.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Native plants of dune erosion control in Michigan
May 30, 2008
We care for Lake Michigan dune near our home in New Buffalo and would like to provide erosion control with native species that will also enhance the beauty of the dune with long lasting flowers. The ...
view the full question and answer

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

United States Botanic Garden - Washington, DC
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Juniperus horizontalis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Juniperus horizontalis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Juniperus horizontalis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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