Species red cedar
Violet fruits with lime-green leaves and brown stems.

red cedar

Juniperus virginiana

Red Cedar is an evergreen species of coniferous tree native to North America. It can grow up to 65 feet tall, and its branches and leaves are of a distinctive bluish-green hue. Its fragrant wood is widely used in the making of essential oils, medicines and musical instruments. Red Cedar is also known to be an important source of wildlife habitat, providing berries, cover, and nesting sites for many birds. The aromatic leaves are an ideal component of firewood and barbecues, giving off a pleasant woodsy scent. Red Cedar is a popular choice for landscaping, being drought tolerant and requiring little maintenance. Overall, Red Cedar is an iconic and attractive species with many practical uses.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

2 - 9

Flowers:

Non-flowering Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Soil:

Alkaline, Rocky , gravelly , dry, Well-drained

Fruits:

blue,green,red,purple,brown Fruits In Autumn Ready In

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,red

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

watering

Red cedar should be watered once every 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the weather and soil conditions. Water the plant deeply, allowing the soil to become evenly moist. When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, it's time to water again. It is best to water the soil thoroughly in 1 session rather than light sprinkling multiple times. Make sure the soil isn't waterlogged and has adequate drainage. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings during periods of cooler, wetter weather.

sunlight

Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is an evergreen conifer species native to eastern North America. It thrives in full sun, and is best suited to growing in USDA planting zones 3-8. During the summer months, Red Cedar requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day in order to thrive. In the winter months, however, only 3-4 hours of sunlight per day are required. As the days become shorter in autumn and early winter, Red Cedar should receive some protection from the afternoon sun, as this can cause leaf burn or disease.

pruning

Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) should be pruned in late winter, when the plant is still dormant, allowing pruning cuts to heal quickly and producing a vigorous flush of growth. This species of plant is tolerant of severe pruning, and can easily be thinned out to reduce size or shape as desired. Generally, 1 third of the mature branches should be removed each year, either heading back to a side shoot, or shortening the length of stems to airier sections of the plant. If the tips of the branches have become thin and leggy, remove them all the way back to a bud at the base of the twig. This will result in thicker, healthier branches and more foliage. Additionally, any dead, damaged, or overcrowded branches should be removed to ensure optimal health of the plant.

Season

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

The harvesting season for Juniperus virginiana (red cedar) typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

Red cedar typically starts flowering in April or May.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Juniperus virginiana (red cedar) typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map