Juniperus horizontalisIndiana Native
Creeping Juniper

Juniperus horizontalis - Groundcover Habit
 Family:
 Genus:
 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flower Notes:
dioecious, inconspicuous
 Foliage Notes:
Green (Dark bluish green to bright green; needle-like or scale-like); Purple (Foliage takes on a plum to purple tinge in the fall and winter)
 Stem Notes:
Blue-green, plume-like, soft-textured, upright branches
 Fruit Notes:
Blue (Cones; rarely produced)
 Ultimate Height:
1-2 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
4-8 feet
 Bloom Times:
 Light Requirements:
 Soil Water Requirements:
 Soil Notes:
Widely adapted to soils, even slightly alkaline and heavy clay soils, but not wet soils
 Range:
Alaska, Canada and the northern U.S. from New England to New York to the Great Lakes, Wyoming and Montana
 Maintenance:
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Mostly scale-like leaves (<0.2" long), usually in pairs, sharp pointed, and 4-ranked. Long ascending branches with numerous upward projecting branchlets.
 Ecological Functions:
  Special Characteristics:
  • Drought Tolerant 275
  • Pest and/or Disease Resistant 96
  • Pollution Tolerant 217
  • Tolerant of Poor Site Conditions 186
  • Foundation 183
  • Groundcover 54
  • Mass Plantings 268
  • Rock Garden 50
  • Indiana Native 152

    • Additional Information

    Widely adapted to soils and climates, as evidenced by its broad natural range. Tolerates slightly alkaline and heavy clay soils, but not wet soils. Young plants can be seriously injured by Phomopsis blight in some areas. Plants of all ages are susceptible to mite infestation.

    33 Juniperus horizontalis found

    Building Map...

    Other plants like this Juniperus horizontalis (Creeping Juniper)

    Communication

    University Resources

    Sustainability Resources

    Arboretum Resources

    Purdue University Logo Purdue University Logo

    The Purdue Arboretum is a collaboration between the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Physical Facilities Grounds Department

    Purdue Arboretum, 625 Agriculture Mall Dr, West Lafayette, IN, 47907
    © 2025 Purdue University | An equal access/equal opportunity university | Integrity Statement | Copyright Complaints | Maintained by the Purdue Arboretum
    Contact Purdue Arboretum at arboretum@purdue.edu for accessibility issues with this page | Accessibility Resources | Contact Us