Juniperus communis 'Effusa'

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Juniperus communis 'Effusa'

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Kemper Code: K760

Common Name: common juniper
Zone: 2 to 7
Plant Type: Needled evergreen
Family: Cupressaceae
Missouri Native: No
Native Range: None
Height: 0.75 to 1.5 feet
Spread: 4 to 6 feet
Bloom Time: Non-flowering
Bloom Color: Non-flowering
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low

Plant Culture and Characteristics

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Uses:		Wildlife:	Flowers:	Leaves:	Fruit:
Hedge	Suitable as annual	Attracts birds	Has showy flowers	Leaves colorful	Has showy fruit
Shade tree	Culinary herb	Attracts	Has fragrant flowers	Leaves fragrant	Fruit edible
Street tree	Vegetable	hummingbirds	Flowers not showy	Good fall color	Other:
Flowering tree	Water garden plant	Attracts	Good cut flower	Evergreen	Winter interest
Gr. cover (<1')	Will naturalize	butterflies	Good dried flower		Thorns or spines

General Culture:

Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. Adaptable to a wide range of soils. Prefers moist soils. Less tolerant of hot, dry conditions than many other junipers, and is not a good selection for the deep South. To cover a large area, plant 3-4' apart.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

This common juniper cultivar is a low-growing, evergreen shrub which spreads horizontally by prostrate, woody stems. Grown primarily as a ground cover, this cultivar typically rises only to 9-12" (less frequently to 18") tall, but spreads 4-6' wide. Features dark green, needle-like foliage which persists throughout the year. Reddish-brown stems usually are visible through the somewhat thin foliage. Fleshy, berry-like seed cones ripen to a bluish-black in the 2nd or 3rd year. Fruits of the species are used as a flavoring for gin (the alcoholic beverage).

Problems:

Juniper blight can be a serious problem. Lesser disease problems include cedar apple rust and wilt. Insect problems include mites, borers, scale, midges and bagworms.

Uses:

An excellent ground cover which is relatively low-maintenance once established. Also a good rock garden plant. Effective in mass plantings around homes, foundations and shrubs.