Etymology
Juniperus is Latin for Juniper; communis is Latin for common.
Native Habitat
Rocky slopes in forests and plains.
Garden Uses
Common juniper is useful as an evergreen ornamental ground cover, shrub, hedgerow or for topiary. It can take on a bronzy hue in the winter in exposed locations. It appears to be resistant to deer browse. Good for cutting in winter for arrangements.
Overview
Common juniper is an evergreen conifer that grows in a variety of different shapes and forms. Growth habit and form in part depend upon such factors as geographic location, temperature and the amount of exposure to the elements. It is found primarily as a shrub in pastures, along exposed coastlines and roadsides, and in openings with shallow, rocky soil.
Leaves and Stems
The bark of this species is thin, dark reddish brown, and peels into papery scales. Prickly, blue-green, needle-like juvenile leaves grow in whorls of three. The leaves are scale-like and flat.
Flowers
Small, yellow cones appear in spring but are not considered ornamentally attractive. Pollen cones (male) and seed cones (female) occur on separate plants.
Fruit/Seed
Female plants produce slightly glaucous, spherical, 0.5" wide, fleshy, fruit-like seed cones which are commonly referred to as juniper berries. Berries emerge green but gradually ripen by fall to a waxy dark blue to black. Each berry usually contains two or three seeds and ripens in its 2nd or 3rd year.
Animal Associates
Many game birds, especially grouse, pheasants, and bobwhites eat the seed cones. Common juniper is resistant to deer browse.
Propagation
Take cuttings from healthy plants in mid-spring.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Berries are used for a number of purposes, including flavoring gin.
Garden Location
Library Garden, Performance Hall Garden (see garden map)
Anecdotal Information
Native populations can have very long leafless stems that are shaded by foliage from other stems growing above them.
Sources
Maine Natural History Observatory
Plant Profile by Kathy Kling