Japanese Garden Juniper (Juniperus chinensis procumbens)
Japanese Garden Junipers typically will grow to only 1 or 2 feet tall. However, each of these small shrubs spreads from 10 to 15 feet in a dense rounded shape. The branches of the variety `Nana' grow in attractive horizontal layers, suggesting shelves. Like all Junipers, these are slow growing plants.

Japanese Garden Juniper leaves are actually fine-textured, sharply pointed evergreen needles. Individual needles are about 1/3 inch long, grouped in threes. Their color is a strong blue-green that lasts year round. The foliage of `Variegata' has splashes of cream color on it.

Japanese Garden Junipers have inconspicuous little cone-like flowers. They appear in late May or early June. The sexes are in separate bushes, so only a female shrub bears fruits that are tiny bluish-black Juniper "berries". They appear in early August and last until the following April. Only 3/8 inch in diameter, they are sought after by deer, and large and small mammals as well as songbirds.

Japanese Garden Juniper Choices
There are many cultivars of Japanese Garden Juniper. Nana' has very dense needles and tightly knit branches which provide a solid groundcover cover about 1 foot tall. Variegata has blue-green foliage splashed with cream markings.