Practical
Plants

Juniperus chinensis

Chinese Juniper

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Juniperus genus in the family Cupressaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
15 m
Spread
3 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Wind
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The stems are used in the treatment of parasitic skin problems and rheumatism[6]. The fruit is used in the treatment of convulsions, excessive sweating and hepatitis[6]. The root is used in the treatment of burns and scalds[6]. The resin, mixed with the resin of Pinus species, is used as a resolvent on tumours[6].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Haemostatic
Product or use
Hepatic
Product or use
Parasiticide
Product or use
Resolvent

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A number of cultivars are suitable for use as a ground cover, though they are rather slow-growing[5]. They should be spaced about 90cm apart each way[5]. 'Parsonsii' can grow up to 2 metres across, with its branches horizontal to and about 5cm above the ground but never touching the ground[5].

Product or use
Parasiticide

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy, Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
E. Asia - N.E. China, Japan, Mongolia.
Habitat
Near seashores in C. and S. Japan[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[8][9]. Soaking the seed for 3 - 6 seconds in boiling water may speed up the germination process[2]. 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[1]. Cuttings of mature wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, September/October in a cold frame. Plant out in the following autumn[1][8]. Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months[8].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in most soils if they are well drained, preferring a neutral or slightly alkaline soil[1][2][4]. Succeeds in chalky soils[4]. Established plants are drought tolerant, succeeding in hot dry positions[4]. A slow growing and rather short-lived tree[3]. The plants produce new growth from early May to the end of August and can make 50cm a year increases in height when young[3]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are many named varieties[4]. The crushed foliage has a rather sour resinous scent[3]. Trees are usually dioecious but occasional monoecious trees occur[2]. Male and female flowers are required if fruit and seed is to be produced.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-11-710012-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩

  8. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-2801-X

    ↩

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