Juniper Parsoni

Description: Parson's Juniper is characterized by its dense, spreading growth habit and attractive scale-like foliage. The foliage is typically bluish-green to gray-green in color, with a slightly silvery hue. The branches grow in a horizontal fashion, forming a low, mounding shrub with a tidy appearance. Parson's Juniper is dioecious, meaning it produces male and female cones on separate plants. Female plants may produce small, berry-like cones that are bluish-black in color.

Size: Parson's Juniper typically grows to a height of 1 to 2 feet (0.3 to 0.6 meters) and spreads of 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 meters) at maturity. However, individual plants may vary in size depending on growing conditions, pruning practices, and cultivar characteristics. This juniper is considered a slow-growing shrub, making it an excellent choice for small gardens, borders, rockeries, or as a ground cover.

Best Growing Zones: Parson's Juniper is best suited to regions with temperate climates and is commonly grown in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9. It is adaptable to a wide range of environmental conditions, including heat, drought, and cold temperatures. This juniper thrives in full sun exposure but can also tolerate some light shade, especially in hot climates. Well-drained soil is essential for preventing root rot and other moisture-related problems.

Soil and Sun Requirements: Parson's Juniper prefers well-drained soil with good fertility and adequate moisture retention. It thrives in full sun exposure, receiving at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Adequate sunlight is essential for promoting dense, healthy growth and vibrant foliage color. Parson's Juniper is relatively tolerant of a variety of soil types, including sandy, loamy, or rocky soils, as long as they are well-drained.

Maintenance: Parson's Juniper is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal care to thrive. Prune as needed to remove dead, diseased, or overgrown branches and to maintain the desired shape and size. This juniper is relatively drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal supplemental watering. Fertilization is generally not necessary, as Parson's Juniper is adapted to nutrient-poor soils and can thrive without supplemental fertilization.