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ConifersShrubs

Juniperus communis var. saxatilis

dwarf juniper

Robust, slow-growing, prostrate, spreading conifer forming a mat of densely-packed stems bearing upturned or upcurved small, dark green, needle-like leaves up to 1.5cm long

Synonyms

Juniperus horizontalis 'Nana'
Juniperus sibirica
see moreJuniperus horizontalis var. saxatilis misapplied
Juniperus nana
Juniperus communis var. alpina
Juniperus communis var. montana Aiton
Juniperus communis subsp. nana
Juniperus saxatilis
Juniperus alpina

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Cupressaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming
Potentially harmful: Skin allergen, wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Juniperus can be prostrate or erect, evergreen shrubs or trees with aromatic, scale-like or sharply pointed awl-shaped leaves, and small globose fruits
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil including dry, chalky or sandy soils in full sun or light dappled shade. Good ground hugging conifer, ideal for exposed coastal areas. See conifer cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Rock garden
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Banks and slopes
Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, juniper scale and caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to phytophthora, canker and honey fungus. See also Conifers: brown patches

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