Juniperus communis 'Hibernica' (Hibernica Juniper, Hibernica Irish Juniper)
Michael's Opinion
Juniperus Communis ‘Hibernica’ is an upright, compact, narrow shrub used as an ornamental evergreen. It is ideal for adding architectural appeal in the landscape and can be planted in small gardens. Growth is very slow but requires little to no maintenance.
Botanical Information
| Family | Cupressaceae |
| Genus | Juniperus |
| Species | communis |
| Cultivar | 'Hibernica' |
| Synonyms | Juniperus communis var. hemisphera ‘Hibernica’ |
| Category | Woody |
| Type | Shrub (evergreen) |
| References | More, David, and John White. "Junipers." The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Trees. 2nd ed. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton UP, 2013. 71. Print. |
| Origin | Loddiges Nursery, 1858. |
| Pronunciation |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 1a - 6a |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | 0a - 5b |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H7 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -51 - (-21) |
| Temperature (°F) | -60 - (-5) |
| Height | 3 - 5 m |
| Spread | 0.1 - 0.5 m |
| Growth | Slow |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | Juniperus communis 'Hibernica' or Irish Juniper is a very slow growing, upright evergreen with blue-green foliage. |
| ID Characteristic | Columnar, blue-green, evergreen, up to 5 m tall. |
| Shape | Columnar. |
| Landscape | Makes a nice accent plant and can be used for screens and hedges. |
| Propagation | By semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer, cut 10 - 15 cm below the leaf. The base of the cutting must be hard while the tip is soft. Ensure young potted plants are kept moist. |
| Cultivation | Prefers full sunlight, well-drained soils and can be planted in chalk, clay, sand or loam. |
| Pests | Possible problems include: aphids, juniper scale and caterpillars. |
| Habitat | Horticultural origin. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Sandy brown, exfoliating, but completely covered by dense foliage. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Up to 3 mm long with acuminate scales. |
| Leaf Description | Sharp, scale-like or pointed, blue-green sometimes with silver traces appearing in winter. |
| Flower Description | Non-flowering. |
| Colour Description | Blue-green foliage with a hint of silver in winter. |
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