Species savin juniper
red-brown branches adorned with variegated creamy white and vibrant-green foliage

savin juniper

Juniperus sabina 'Variegata'

The Savin Juniper is a fascinating evergreen, famous for its intricately variegated foliage, which ranges from yellow to light green and to darker hues of deep green. It has a low-growing, mounding habit and is widely used as groundcover. It is a hardy plant that does well in dry, sunny sites and needs very little maintenance. As the foliage matures, the foliage takes on a bluish hue that provides an interesting contrast to the other colors. It is also tolerant of urban air pollution and makes a great addition to any garden.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

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

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 7

Flowers:

Non-flowering Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Cones:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow,white

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

Savin Juniper should be watered when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. Avoid overwatering, as this can cause root rot. It's best to water deeply, allowing the water to slowly absorb throughout the soil. Avoid wetting the foliage when watering the plant. Depending on the temperature, humidity, and light levels, Savin Juniper may need to be watered several times per week in hot, sunny weather, and only once every week or 2 in cooler conditions.

sunlight

Savin juniper (Juniperus sabina 'Variegata') requires a location that offers full sun or partial sun. This plant prefers full sun, at least 6 hours a day, in order to thrive. Too much shade can cause the foliage to become sparse and weak. In order to ensure that Savin juniper receives the most benefit from sunlight, it is ideal to place it in an area that is exposed to the sun from morning until mid-afternoon. This allows the plant access to bright, direct sunlight while avoiding the heat of the strongest hours of the day.

pruning

The savin juniper (Juniperus sabina 'Variegata') is a slow-growing conifer with yellow variegated foliage and requires frequent pruning to maintain its shape and size. For best results, prune the savin juniper every spring once new growth begins. Remove any dead, diseased, or broken branches, as well as old wood, no more than 1-third of the total growth. This helps ensure healthy, vigorous growth in the future. For formal hedges, trim the savin juniper every 4 to 6 weeks throughout the entire growing season. For informal hedges and trees, trim the savin juniper once or twice per growing season, or prune selectively throughout the year as needed. Be sure to use sharp pruning shears and always make sure to keep the plant’s shape in mind when pruning. To maintain an attractive tree form, avoid excessive pruning, and keep the tree or hedge’s overall shape in mind.

Season

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

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

Starts Flowering

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

Hardiness Map