0097-023 | Arboretum

Winter interest

Sea Green Chinese Juniper

Catalogue A# 0097-023

GPS 45D 43' 56' N / 108D 37' 16" W

Juniperus chinensis sv. 'Sea Green'

Family: Cupressaceae

Origin: China, Mongolia and Japan

Common name: Sea Green Chinese Juniper

Location: Plaza Junction as understory to Spruce tree on southwest corner up hill

Number in accession: 2

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Sea Green Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis 'Sea Green'): A compact spreading shrub, 4 to 6 feet high and 6 to 8 feet wide. Branches are more upright than 'Pfitzerana', dark green foliage remains in winter. Susceptible to phomopsis blight.

CRITIQUE

Chinese juniper is a durable, adaptable evergreen tree or shrub that can bring year-round color, structure and screening to a dry, alkaline or windy site. Although the species is an erect, conical tree up to 60 feet high and 20 feet wide, a wide variety of cultivated varieties are available for garden and landscape use that range from trees to shrubs down to ground covers. The foliage of scale-like needles is attractive but prickly. In late summer and fall, many junipers have blue-green berry-like fruits, actually modified cones, that attract birds. Junipers are widely used in bonsai, and are rugged and useful landscape plants. Because they are quite salt-tolerant, they can be used near roads, driveways and sidewalks.

Tree or Plant Type: Ground cover, Shrub, Tree
       Foliage: Evergreen (foliage year-round)
       Native Locale: Non-native
       Landscape Uses: Foundation, Hedge, Massing, Mixed border, Screen, Shade tree, Specimen, Utility, Windbreak
       Size Range: Large tree (more than 40 feet), Medium tree (25-40 feet), Small tree (15-25 feet), Compact tree (10-15 feet), Large shrub (more than 8 feet), Medium shrub (5-8 feet), Small shrub (3-5 feet), Low-growing shrub (under 3 feet)
Mature Height: 50-60 feet
Mature Width: 15-20 feet
       Light Exposure: Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily)
       Hardiness Zones: Zone 4, Zone 5 (Chicago), Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
       Soil Preference: Dry soil, Moist, well-drained soil
       Acid Soils: Tolerant
       Alkaline Soils: Tolerant
       Salt Spray: Tolerant
       Soil Salt: Moderately Tolerant
       Drought Conditions: Tolerant
       Poor Drainage: Intolerant
       Ornamental Interest: Showy fruit
       Season of Interest: Early winter, Mid winter, Late winter, Early spring, Mid spring, Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer, Late summer, Early fall, Mid fall, Late fall
       Flower Color & Fragrance: Inconspicuous, Other
       Shape or Form: Creeping, Narrow, Oval, Pyramidal, Round, Upright
       Growth Rate: Slow
       Transplants Well: Yes
       Wildlife: Game birds, Game mammals, Small mammals, Songbirds