Juniperus rigida

Common Names

Temple Juniper, Needle Juniper

Summary

Temple Juniper is an evergreen conifer shrub or small tree native to Japan, Korea, northeastern China, and southeastern Russia. It has a broad, open to pyramidal form with pendulous branchlets and sharp, needle-like foliage arranged in whorls of three, each leaf bearing a white stomatal band on the upper surface. Seed cones are green and berry-like, maturing to dark purple-brown in the second year, and the plant is dioecious; a deep resinous scent accompanies its weeping habit, contributing to its temple-ground appearance and its popularity for bonsai.

In cultivation, it thrives in full sun with well-drained soils. It tolerates a wide range of soils, including clay and dry conditions, but should be kept away from consistently wet soils; once established it is drought-tolerant and suited to hot, dry landscapes. Propagation is by seeds or cuttings; common uses include as a specimen or accent plant and temple grounds in Japan, and it is a prized bonsai subject. Pests and diseases include tip and needle blights, rusts and cedar-apple rust; root rot in wet soils; some male trees produce pollen allergens.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

20-23 feet

Spread

10-20 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 6-7

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun.

Soil Type

Well-drained soil, neutral to mildly alkaline.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

Neutral to slightly alkaline soil.

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Non-flowering

Foliage Color

Bright green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen needle

Growth Rate

6–12 inches per year (15–30 cm/year)

Seasons of Interest

All four seasons

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds