Shore Juniper

Scientific Name: Juniperus conferta Parl.

Shore Juniper

General Information
Usda Symbol	JUCO12
Group	Gymnosperm
Life Cycle	Perennial
Growth Habits	Shrub
Native Locations	JUCO12

Plant Guide

Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Shore Juniper.

Fact Sheet

Uses

Shore juniper is an ornamental, low growing shrub from Japan that has good salt tolerance. It is especially adapted for use on back dune seashore landscapes. When planted on banks and terraces, the dense vegetative mats provide good soil erosion protection.

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Description

Shore juniper consists of upright layered stems, growing to one foot tall, that emerge from low growing runner-like stems. Where these stems contact soil adventitious roots will form. Vegetative mats typically form due to this layering process. The evergreen needles have a greenish-blue color, with a waxy coating. The current year’s growth will be terminally located, succulent, and a lighter tone of green. The needles are 1/2 to 1 inch in length and soft. Good color is maintained through winter. Aromatic, round, blue-green fruit are produced annually. These fruits are produced on second year growth, and are about 1/2 inch in diameter. Shore juniper shows no signs of weediness from natural establishment.

Adaptation and Distribution

Distribution

Distribution

Shore juniper will grow well under a wide range of site conditions, from loams to very sandy soils. It performs best under full sunlight, allowing it to perform well under seashore conditions. Sand dune and critical area plantings benefit from partial wind protection and the addition of some top soil in the planting hole. Shore juniper is sometimes girdled by mice where snow covers are of long duration. Thus it may best be used on coastal areas from New Jersey south even though hardy to the north. For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Website. USDA NRCS National Plant Materials Center Beltsville, MD

Establishment

Due to the poor production of desirable seed, shore juniper is propagated vegetatively, Cuttings of this juniper are harvested during the dormant season, The use of a rooting hormone increases the success establishing cuttings of shore juniper, Prior to field planting, rooted cuttings should be transplanted into containers, When plants have developed adequate root systems, they can be out planted, As with most rooted cuttings special care must be taken not to damage the root system when transplanting, To aid establishment of shore juniper on sandy sites, a gallon of peat moss should be added to each planting hole, A small amount (100 to 300 lbs,/ac,/yr,) of a balanced fertilizer, applied within the plants dripline, will also help this species get established, Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Shore Juniper., Mulching with bark or wood chips will help conserve moisture and suppress weed invasion, Do not use mulches that may attract rodents, On field sites plant 18 to 24 inches apart, If fertility and weed control are adequate full ground cover can be expected within two years, To establish nursery cutting blocks, in-row spacings can range from 2 to 4 feet, with 4 to 8 feet row spacing desired,

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Morphology/Physiology

Reproduction

Suitability/Use

Shore Juniper