
Details
Native to eastern North America, from Canada to Florida. It typically occurs on limestone bluffs and glades, wood margins, fields, pastures, and fence rows. It is a broadly conical, sometimes columnar, dense, evergreen conifer with horizontal branching that typically grows 30-65’ tall. Gray to reddish-brown bark exfoliates in thin shreddy strips on mature trees. Trunks are often fluted at the base. Heartwood is light brown and aromatic and is commonly used for cedar chests. Dark blue green scale-like foliage. Foliage may turn brown-green in winter. Cultivars of this species often retain better foliage color in winter. This is a dioecious species (separate male and female trees). Female trees produce round, gray to blackish-green berry-like cones (1/4” diameter) that ripen in fall the first year. Berry-like cones are attractive to many birds. Easily grown in average, dry to moist, well-drained soils in full sun. The berries are used to make gin. The heartwood is light brown and aromatic, contrasted with the white sapwood, and is commonly used for cedar chests. It is used to make pencils and so it is also called pencil cedar. Wood is also often used to make fence posts and rails as it is naturally rot-resistant. It also repels insects, lending to its appeal for use in clothing storage and pet bedding.
Michigan Seeds and Plants grown on our farm, Renegade Acres, in Howell, MI!
Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth.
Additional Info
Botanical Name | Juniperus virginiana |
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Life Cycle | Perennial |
Min. Time to Germinate | 30 Days |
Max. Time to Germinate | 6 Months |
Depth to Sow Seeds | Surface Sow; press seeds gently into the soil to make good contact, but do not cover with any additional soil; these seeds require light to germinate |
When to Sow | Indoors 10-12 weeks before last spring frost, Indoors 3 months before last spring frost, Outdoors after all danger of spring frost is past, Outdoors in early spring, a month before the last spring frost |
Growing Height | Over 40 ft. (12 m) |
Plant Spacing | 12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m) |
Hardiness | USDA Zone 3a: to -35F, USDA Zone 3b: to -30F, USDA Zone 4a: to -25F, USDA Zone 4b: to -20F, USDA Zone 5a: to -15F, USDA Zone 5b: to -10F, USDA Zone 6a: to -5F, USDA Zone 6b: to 0F, USDA Zone 7a: to 5F, USDA Zone 7b: to 10F, USDA Zone 8a: to 15F, USDA Zone 8b: to 20F, USDA Zone 9a: to 25F, USDA Zone 9b: to 30F |
Sun Exposure | Full Sun |
Danger | Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction, Pollen may cause allergic reaction |
Bloom Color | Pale Yellow |
Foliage | Evergreen, Grown for Foliage, Shiny/Glossy-Textured |
Other Details | Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater, Flowers are fragrant, Provides winter interest, This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds |
Soil pH Requirements | 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic), 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral), 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) |
Propagation Methods | From seed; direct sow after last frost, From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall, From seed; sow indoors before last frost, From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse |
Seed Collecting | Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds, Remove fleshy coating on seeds before storing |
Seeds Per Pack | 20 |