Juniper Conifer Trees | Juniperus

Choosing & Growing Juniper Trees

With their masses of awl-like or scale-like needles, the upright or columnar Juniper trees are great for screening, for narrower spaces and perfect for creating a focal point in any garden or landscaped area. Our low spreading Juniper varieties won't reach much more than 1m in height and are perfect for growing in areas where ground cover is wanted or space is restricted (their width can easily be pruned).

Junipers are easy to grow and most Juniper trees can tolerate some drought, although they don’t like sitting in wet soil.

Interesting Facts About Juniper Trees

• Juniperus is a genus of over 50 coniferous species found across the Northern Hemisphere.
• Juniper conifers are, alongside Yew, the only conifers to produce berries. Unlike Yew, Juniper berries can be used to flavour gin and are also used in medicine as they produce an oil which treats digestive and respiratory problems.
• The word "gin" is an abbreviation of the Dutch name for Juniper which is "Genever".
• Juniper berries have been presented to new parents in celebration of the birth of a baby boy.
• Female plants produce berry-like fleshy seed cones, whereas male Junipers will produce small pollen cones with a catkin-like appearance.
• In some areas of the World, the Juniper tree was thought to be a deterrent against witches, as well as the devil. Cuttings were traditionally hung on doorways on May Day and burnt on Halloween in order to ward off evil spirits.
• Juniper wood, which is particularly aromatic, is often used for wood turning and carving.
• When crushed, Juniper leaves smell like lemons or apples, depending on the variety. In fact, oils for aromatherapy uses can be produced from steam distilling the berries, leaves and twigs of some varieties.