Flaky Juniper
Juniperus squamata

Family: Cupressaceae

What it is like

Form: Irregular or sprawling, Prostrate, Pyramidal, Spreading or horizontal, Upright or erect.

Juniperus squamata is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in leaf all year, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 4

Where it is found

Inner valleys of the Himalayas, 3000 - 4500 metres from Afghanistan to S.W. China. Forests, thickets, valleys and roadsides in mountain areas from 1600 - 4500 metres.

E. Asia - China, Himalayas, Afghanistan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 1

The powdered plant is soaked for half an hour in water and then used for washing skin diseases.

Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.

Other

Rating:

The cultivar 'Blue Carpet' can be used as a ground cover plant in a sunny position. The wood is very fragrant, it is used as a fuel and an incense. The leaves are used as incense.

Fuel: Usually wood, plant materials that have been mentioned as being a good fuel.

Incense: Aromatic plants that can be burnt to impart a pleasant smell, repel insects and disinfect closed areas.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Cascades, Erosion control, Ground cover, Massing, Rock garden. Succeeds in most soils if they are well drained, preferring a neutral or slightly alkaline soil and succeeding on chalk. A drought tolerant plant once established, succeeding in hot dry positions. This species is closely allied to J. recurva. There are many named forms, selected for their ornamental value. The type species is very slow growing in Britain but the cultivar 'Meyeri' is somewhat faster and more successful. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Fragrant foliage, Not North American native, There are no flowers or blooms.

Propagating it: The seed requires a period of cold stratification. The seed has a hard seedcoat and can be very slow to germinate, requiring a cold period followed by a warm period and then another cold spell, each of 2 - 3 months duration. Soaking the seed for 3 - 6 seconds in boiling water may speed up the germination process. The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Some might germinate in the following spring, though most will take another year. Another possibility is to harvest the seed 'green' (when the embryo has fully formed but before the seedcoat has hardened). The seedlings can be potted up into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow on in pots until large enough, then plant out in early summer. When stored dry, the seed can remain viable for several years. Cuttings of mature wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, September/October in a cold frame. Plant out in the following autumn. Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Ground Cover;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 4-7

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

J. recurva squamata.