Juniperus horizontalis
A drought-tolerant, low-growing, prostrate evergreen conifer that forms dense mats about 1 ft tall and 1–10 ft wide, with blue-green foliage that may turn purple in winter, thriving in full sun on well-drained soils.
Common Names
Creeping Juniper, Creeping Cedar, Carpet Juniper
Summary
Creeping juniper is a prostrate evergreen conifer native to Alaska, Canada, and northern U.S. It forms dense mats with trailing branches, typically 0.5–1 ft tall and 4–10 ft wide. Foliage is mostly scale-like with some awl- or needle-like leaves; color ranges green to blue-green, often turning purple in winter; it is non-flowering and provides winter interest.
In cultivation, it prefers full sun and well-drained soils with average to dry moisture; it adapts to a wide range of soils and tolerates hot, relatively dry conditions; drought-tolerant and deer- and erosion-resistant; used as ground cover on slopes, rock gardens, banks, and erosion control in low-maintenance landscapes. Care is minimal, with pruning rarely required; propagation is mainly by cuttings; notable cultivars include Bar Harbor, Blue Chip, Wiltonii, Plumosa, Plumosa Compacta, and Prince of Wales.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
6 inches to 2 feet
Spread
4-10 ft
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3-9
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type
Well-drained soil, often sandy, rocky, or gravelly; tolerates dry and poor soils.
Soil Drainage
Well-drained soil
Soil pH
4.5–8.5
Bloom Color
Insignificant
Bloom Time
Spring
Foliage Color
Blue-green to gray-green foliage; may turn purplish in winter.
Fall Foliage Color
No fall color change
Leaf Lifecycle
Evergreen needle
Growth Rate
Fast-growing, 6–12 inches per year
Seasons of Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings, Layering
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts birds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Moench
- Publication
- Methodus 699. (1794)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Pinophyta
- Class
- Pinopsida
- Subclass
- Cupressidae
- Order
- Cupressales
- Family
- Cupressaceae
- Genus
- Juniperus
Synonyms
Juniperus racemosa Juniperus horizontalis subsp. neopangaea Juniperus prostrata Juniperus hudsonica Juniperus horizontalis var. alpina Juniperus horizontalis f. alpina Juniperus horizontalis var. douglasii Juniperus horizontalis f. glomerata Juniperus horizontalis f. lobata Juniperus sabina var. prostrata Juniperus sabina var. procumbens Juniperus sabina var. humilis Sabina prostrata Sabina racemosa Sabina horizontalis f. douglasii Juniperus sabina f. prostrata Juniperus horizontalis var. variegata Juniperus horizontalis var. douglasii Juniperus virginiana var. prostrata Juniperus repens Juniperus horizontalis subsp. hamptonensis Juniperus horizontalis var. glomerata Sabina horizontalis Juniperus sabina var. alpina