Species creeping juniper
scaly, green leaves, with small brown flowers

creeping juniper

Juniperus horizontalis 'Youngstown'

Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Youngstown') is an evergreen groundcover with eye-catching, bluish-green foliage. It is a highly tolerant plant that likes full sun to partial shade and can survive in very poor soil conditions. The stems of the plant form a mat that reaches a maximum height of three inches and spreads quickly – up to eight feet in width. Its needle-like leaves create an attractive texture for landscaping and make an ideal substitute for grass for difficult areas to maintain. The small blue-hued berries are also attractive to birds, making this variety ideal for wildlife gardens.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division,Grafting Propagation,Stolon,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

2

Flowers:

Non-flowering Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Soil:

Sandy Loamy Clay Rocky

Fruits:

blue,purple Fruits Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Low

watering

Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Youngstown') should be watered on a regular basis to maintain a healthy growth habit. Water deeply once a week during active growing season in the spring and summer. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. During the winter, reduce or stop watering until the growing season resumes.

sunlight

Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Youngstown') requires full sun to light shade for optimal growth. It is important that this species receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, and more is better. This will prevent the plant from becoming overly shaded, which can lead to a lower level of overall health. If the juniper cannot receive at least 6 hours of daily direct sun, partial shade should be provided, such as from overhead trees or structures. Too much shade can cause the branches to become bare and weak. Providing consistent exposure to sunlight is the best way to protect the health of the juniper.

pruning

Creeping juniper should typically be pruned each year during the spring or early summer. Pruning should be done to remove dead or broken branches, as well as to help promote a more dense, even form in the plant. Cut the branch tips to shape the plant into the desired form, making sure to not cut too much. It is important to only take off no more than 1-third of the growth, as many junipers can become damaged if pruned too heavily. Once the desired shape has been established, no more pruning is necessary.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Juniperus horizontalis 'Youngstown' is in late summer or early fall, typically between August and October.

Starts Flowering

Creeping juniper typically begins flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Creeping juniper typically begins flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Juniperus horizontalis 'Youngstown' is in late summer or early fall, typically between August and October.

Hardiness Map