Juniperus rigida (Temple Juniper)


Botanical Information

FamilyCupressaceae
GenusJuniperus
Speciesrigida
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (evergreen)
OriginKorea, Japan and northern China.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer
The oil is extracted from the seed and used for medicinal purposes, insect repellant and in alcoholic beverages.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone6 - 7
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone6 - 8
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Zone5
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-5
Height4 - 7 m
Spread3 - 6 m
GrowthMedium

Description and Growing Information

ShapeIrregular (when grown freely) Pyramidal to oval in youth and more rounded in maturity (if tended to).
LandscapeIn Japan it is planted in temple gardens and may also be used as Bonsai. It is rarely seen in cultivation in North America and is often relegated to botanical garden collections.
PropagationSeeds and cuttings.
CultivationPartial-shade. Well-drained and dry soil that is rich with nitrogen. Acidic fertilizers are also highly recommended. Resistant to frost and windburn.
PestsSusceptible to needle and tip blights. Rust and cedar-apple rust diseases. Canker, bagworms, scale, webworms and aphids can occasionally bother this plant.
HabitatWoodlands, grasslands, sand hills, rocky slopes and limestone cliffs.
Bark/Stem DescriptionPeels and exfoliates.
Leaf DescriptionNeedle-like foliage. The needles appear in whorls of 3 and are 2 cm in length.
Fruit DescriptionThe cones are berry-like, spherical, 2.5 cm and have 3 fused scales.
Colour DescriptionThe bark is green and light brown. The buds are brownish-beige in colour. The foliage is a vibrant green. The fruit is a vibrant green and as it ripens it turns a blackish-blue colour.
Texture DescriptionThe bark is thick. The needles are soft. The foliage is thick and dense.

Photographs