Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper

A.V.K. Nursery Holdings Inc.

$44.99
Title

A timeless masterpiece of texture and form! This exquisite dwarf juniper creates a dense, undulating carpet of stiff, prickly needles in a refreshing sea-foam green. Its branches grow in elegant, overlapping layers that hug the ground or drape gracefully over stones, resembling a slow-moving green tide. Prized for its refined, "bonsai-like" appearance, it adds an immediate sense of Zen-like tranquillity and rugged beauty to any garden space.

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Size Guide

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Plant Details

Mature Size:

1' H x 5' W

Zone:

4-9

Watering:

Low to Medium

Foliage Type:

Evergreen

Growth Rate:

Slow

Light:

Full Sun

Plant Profile

Common Names:

Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper, Procumbens Nana, Creeping Juniper

Scientific Name:

Juniperus procumbens 'Nana'

Type:

Ornamental Dwarf Evergreen Groundcover

Growth Details:

  • Mature Size: 6–12 inches tall; 4–6 feet wide.
  • Growth Habit / Form: Prostrate, spreading, and mounding.
  • Growth Rate: Slow.
  • Longevity: 30+ years with proper care; can live much longer when trained as bonsai.

Environmental Needs:

  • Exposure: Full Sun (Best).
  • Soil Preferences: Prefers well-drained, sandy, or rocky soils.
  • Soil Tolerance: Highly adaptable to various soil types, including clay, provided it is not waterlogged.
  • Watering: Water regularly during the first year; once established, it is significantly drought-tolerant.

Special Features:

  • Resistances: Highly resistant to deer, drought, heat, and urban pollution.
  • Uses: The most popular variety for outdoor bonsai training; excellent for erosion control on small slopes.
  • Awards: Recipient of the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
Care Guide

Ornamental & Landscape Value

Seasonal Interest:

  • Bloom Information: Non-flowering conifer.
  • Fall/Winter Colour: Maintains its crisp green hue year-round, occasionally taking on a slight bluish or purplish tint in extreme cold.
  • Evergreen Interest: Provides a dense, architecturally interesting mat through all four seasons.

Garden Value:

The gold standard for rock gardens, Japanese-style gardens, and cascading over retaining walls. Its slow-spreading, mat-forming habit makes it an excellent high-end groundcover for small areas or as a focal point in containers.

Wildlife & Human Value:

  • Wildlife Value: Provides excellent low-level cover for beneficial garden insects and small birds.
  • Human Value: Provides a high-end, artistic look with almost zero effort; non-toxic and incredibly durable.

Planting & Care Guide

Planting Considerations:

  • Best Time To Plant: Spring or early fall.
  • Spacing: 3–5 feet apart for groundcover.
  • Location Tips: Choose a prominent spot where its unique texture can be appreciated; ensure it is not buried by taller, aggressive plants.

Care:

  • Light Requirements: Thrives in full sun for maximum density; can tolerate very light shade but may become less compact.
  • Moisture Requirements: Prefers medium moisture; requires excellent drainage to prevent root rot.
  • Maintenance, Fertilization: Very low maintenance; pruning is rarely needed unless training for bonsai. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release evergreen food.

Tolerances:

Drought, deer, salt, and urban pollution.

Tips For Success:

Avoid overwatering, as "wet feet" is the most common cause of decline. Use a gravel mulch to keep the foliage off wet soil and highlight its unique texture.

Fruit Profile