Parson’s Juniper

Location

General Plants

Juniperus davurica expansa ‘Parsonii’

  • Common Name:  Parson’s Juniper
  • Scientific Name: Juniperus davurica expansa ‘Parsonii’
  • Family Name: Cupressaceae (cypress family)
  • Origin: China
  • Height: Up to 2’ tall
  • Width:  Up to 8 feet or more. Spreading evergreen.
  • Growth: Medium.
  • Zone: USDA zones 4-10b. Will tolerate temperatures to 0 deg. F.
  • Light Needs: Prefers full sun. Will tolerate part sun.
  • Salt Tolerance: Medium.
  • Soil/PH/Texture: Acid lovers. They do best in soils with a PH of 5.5-7, but will tolerate more neutral soils. They will thrive in a variety of soil textures, from rocky to sandy and grainy, as long as it is well drained.
  • Soil Moisture: Prefers drier soil. After initially established, low water needs. Will tolerate irrigation, but able to survive without it.
  • Drought Tolerance: High. Subject to fungal diseases if overwatered and will not tolerate roots in standing water.
  • Pests/Diseases: Subject to a number of pests and diseases. The most serious are bagworms, (which can strip the foliage), blight, (twig and branch dieback), juniper scale, (no new growth, yellow foliage), and juniper webworm (webbing and browning of foliage).  Fungal diseases may appear if overwatered. Mites can cause browning and needle drop.
  • Growing Conditions: Very adaptable. Will grow in most South Florida soils, but prefers acidic media, full sun, and a well-drained area with minimal water. Low nutritional needs, use a balanced fertilizer twice per year.
  • Characteristics: Dense, low-growing evergreen shrub. Deep gray to blue-green foliage that has a distinct needle-like appearance. Low spreading groundcover.  Needs only minimal trimming, if any, to keep within bounds.
  • Propagation: Cuttings.
  • Wildlife: Dense branching can be a good nesting habitat for birds.
  • Facts: One of the best junipers for Southeast Florida. Adds texture to the garden as a stable evergreen groundcover that will not change in appearance throughout the seasons.
  • Designer Considerations: Good for a hillside, or a dry, sunny area. Great companion in front of podocarpus, arboricola, or buttonwood. Good for textural interest. Nice accent for flowering plants such as Ixoras. Plant 5-6 feet on center to allow for mature spread, then fill in with mulch until plants are established.
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