Juniperus conferta
Shore Juniper
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Juniperus genus in the family Cupressaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Cupressaceae
- Genus
- Juniperus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 0.15 m
- Spread
- 2 m
- Fertility
- Self sterile, Wind
- Flower type
- dioecious
- Pollinators
- Wind
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw or cooked[2]. The cones are about 8 - 10mm in diameter[6].
- Plant part
- Fruit
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A good low ground cover[3], though plants take about 2 years to form effective cover[5]. Plants should be spaced about 90cm apart each way[7].
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Soil surface
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Japan.
- Habitat
- Sandy seashores all over Japan[8].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure, drought
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
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[9][10]. Soaking the seed for 3 - 6 seconds in boiling water may speed up the germination process[3]. 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][9]. Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months[9].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in hot, dry sandy soils and in maritime exposure[3][4][6]. Succeeds in most soils if they are well drained, preferring a neutral or slightly alkaline soil[1][3]. Succeeds in poor soils and tolerates light shade[5]. Plants are not reliably hardy in the coldest areas of the country[7]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00
Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-304-31089-1
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00
Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-2801-X