Juniperus chinensis 'Shimpaku'
Tried and True Recommended by 2 Professionals
Common Name: Chinese juniper
Type: Needled evergreen
Family: Cupressaceae
Zone: 3 to 9
Height: 1 to 3 feet
Spread: 1 to 5 feet
Bloom Time: Non-flowering
Bloom Color: 
Bloom Description: 
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Leaves: Evergreen
Other: Winter Interest
Tolerates: Dry Soil, Shallow, Rocky Soil, Drought, Air Pollution, Deer
Uses: Erosion Control

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerant of a wide variety of soils including clay. Intolerant of wet soils. Tolerates some drought once established. Also tolerates many city air pollutants. Chinese junipers are dioecious (separate male and female plants).

Noteworthy Characteristics

‘Shimpaku’ is a dwarf, irregular vase-shaped form of Chinese juniper. It is a slow-growing evergreen shrub that typically grows to 3’ tall and 5’ wide over a period of 10 years. Scale-like gray-green to dull dark green needles are soft to the touch. Foliage is attractive year-round.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems which are fequently occurring. Susceptible to blight (dieback of stem tips), particularly in unusually rainy/wet springs. Reportedly has good resistence to cedar apple rust. Bagworms can be a problem in some areas.

Garden Uses

Rock gardens. Foundations. Popular bonsai plant.