Juniperus horizontalis Moench.

Fully-hardy, prostrate, creeping, evergreen shrub with sharp-pointed juvenile leaves in pairs or threes, scale-like adult leaves, lying flat along the shoots in 4 rows, and ovoid, dark blue fruit.  To 30cm by indefinite.  There are many garden forms.  [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].

Horticultural & Botanical History

Introduced to Europe in 1836.  [RHSD].  ‘Juniperus horizontalis Moench.  Creeping Cedar.  Common on the east slope [of Glazier Park] in open places up to timber line or even above.  B.C. to Wyo., Minn., N. Y., and N. S. (Sabina horizontalis Rydb.) - Prostrate shrub, often forming great mats; leaves green or bluish; fruit dark blue, 1 to 3-seeded.

This species is most abundant at low altitudes; at St. Mary it forms great carpets over the flats, the branches usually lying close against the ground.  On shale slopes of a canyon near the east entrance two forms of this plant were observed, one with bright green leaves, the other with bluish leaves.  At a short distance the difference in color was very striking.’  [Contributions from the United States National Herbarium vol.22, p.277/1921].

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1845, 1850 and 1857 catalogues [C.45/1845].

Notes

Juniperus prostrata Pers. (1807) = Juniperus sabina L.

See also Juniperus sabina L. var. tamariscifolia Ait.

Published Aug 03, 2009 - 12:47 PM | Last updated Jul 16, 2010 - 05:04 PM


More details about Juniperus horizontalis Moench.
Family Cupressaceae
Category
Region of origin

North America

Synonyms
  • Sabina horizontalis Rydb.
  • Juniperus prostrata Risso
Common Name

Shrubby red cedar, Creeping juniper

Name in the Camden Park Record

Juniperus prostrata 

Confidence level high