Awl-shaped needles (0.17" long) in whorls of 3 with a conspicuous midrib above. Crushed foliage has bitter taste and odor of sabinol. Leaf buds in fall have a turtle shell pattern.
The vase-shaped 'Von Ehren' has widely spreading branches and branchlets with light to dark green foliage. Juniper blight resistant. Widely adapted to soils and climates. Tolerant of slightly alkaline, but not wet, soils. Plants of all ages are susceptible to mite infestation. Does not do well in high humidity and high night temperature environments. Can develop a dingy green color in winter; does not develop a purple-tinge in cold weather like J. horizontalis.
