Habitat

• native to Europe and western parts of Asia
• hardy to zone 3

Habit and Form

• an evergreen shrub
• a wide-spreading habit with a somewhat vase shape
• 4' to 6' tall with a greater spread
• medium texture
• slow growth rate

Summer Foliage

• evergreen, scale-like leaves
• opposite leaf arrangement
• leaves are 4-ranked
• blunt apex
• blue-green
• older branches which have sharp pointed awl-like leaves
• rank odor emitted when leaves are crushed

Autumn Foliage

• evergreen, no fall color

Flowers

• dioecious
• no ornamental value

Fruit

• globose, berry-like cones
• found on recurved stakes
• brown
• 4 to 6 scales

Bark

• hard to see generally covered with needles

Culture

• easily transplanted
• prefers moist, well-drained soil, but very adaptable
• full sun
• pH adaptable
• once established little maintence required
• urban tolerant

Landscape Use

• groundcover
• hedges
• screens
• foundation planting
• mass plantings

Liabilities

• Juniper blight
• not may pest problems

ID Features

• juvenile scale-shaped needles
• 4-ranked needles
• rank odor emitted when leaves are crushed

Propagation

• by cuttings

Cultivars/Varieties

'Arcadia' - This plant is hardy to USDA zone 3 and features green foliage on a layered, spreading plant 18" tall and to 5' wide. It appears resistant to Juniper blight.

'Blue Forest' - Unique for its upturned, ascending branches that resemble a miniature "forest", this plant has blue foliage and grows to 18" tall and 3' wide. It appears resistant to Juniper blight, but may suffer from other fungal ailments.

'Broadmoor' - A promising dwarf, spreading selection, this plant has green foliage with a bluish cast. It tends to mound in the center, growing 3' tall and 10' wide. It appears resistant to Juniper blight.

'Buffalo' - This form has bright green, feathery foliage on a wide-spreading plant 1' tall and 8' wide. It is hardy to USDA zone 3.

'Monna' (Calgary Carpet™) - This low, spreading form has green foliage with a soft texture and growth 9" tall and 6' wide.

'Pepin' - This is a more upright form with growth to 3' tall and a spread of 5'. The foliage color is a good blue-green.

var. tamariscifolia - This is a natural low-growing form with short needles and crowded leaves that lend a fine, feathery texture. Many selections are derived from this form. 'New Blue' is a form with better blue foliage.