Chinese Juniper

Chinese Juniper (Juniperus chinensis)

Chinese Juniper

Full sun, dry to moderately moist, well-drained soils required; tolerates clay only with good surface drainage; pH 5.5–8.0; very drought tolerant once established.

Highly variable by cultivar: spreading types ('Pfitzeriana', 'Sea Green') reach 4–6 feet tall and 6–10 feet wide; upright forms ('Spartan', 'Torulosa') reach 15–25 feet; flowers inconspicuous; fleshy, blue-gray cones (false berries) ripen in the second year.

Propagation: hardwood cuttings in late fall; semi-hardwood in summer under mist.

Native region: Not native to Tennessee; ornamental introduction from China, Mongolia, and Japan.

Chinese juniper cultivars are among the most common conifers in Middle Tennessee commercial and residential landscapes. Bagworm (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis) is the primary threat — populations build rapidly through June and July, and heavily infested plants can be completely defoliated; once feeding stops in August and the bags are sealed, insecticide is ineffective. Hand-removal in fall and early spring when bags are visible and before eggs hatch gives the best control. Cedar-apple rust (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae) uses junipers as an alternate host, producing orange gelatinous horns on branches in wet spring weather; proximity to apple or crabapple trees increases pressure. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization, which promotes succulent growth more attractive to scale insects.