Scientific name: Juniperus horizontalis cvs.
Family: CUPRESSACEAE
Common names: “Creeping juniper”
Plant Type: Evergreen conifer shrub
Conditions:
Zone: 3-9
Light: Full sun – minor shade
Exposure: Sheltered
Soil: Sandy – average soil, not fussy
Moisture: Moist well drained – drought tolerant
Aesthetic:
Plant Size: H 12-20′ W ∞
Leaf and Stem shape: Mat of aromatic, scale-like awl-shaped leaves, needle like when juvenile becoming scale like when mature
Flower: Small globose fleshy cones
Pruning: Little – none, can be sheared back but never cut into old wood and always leave at least 1″ of good greenery
Maintenance: Low – zero
Landscape use: Banks and slopes, coastal cottage, informal
Propagate: By cuttings
Pests & Disease: Prone to phytophthora root rot in damp conditions, may be affected by spidermites indoors
*Deer resistant
Comments: “Basic and boring plant” , can be useful in tough sunny dry locations, prominent gland on the back of leaves makes it easier to ID