Juniper seeds, perennial,evergreen shrub

This multi-functional plant is resistant to deer, tolerates drought and heat, controls erosion, and stays evergreen. In addition, its ability to thrive in winter adds interest to any garden landscape.

Juniperus communis, or Common Juniper, is a versatile evergreen shrub found in many regions. It produces berry-like cones that are often used to flavor food and drinks, as well as in traditional medicine and crafts.

Juniperus communis, or Common Juniper, is a small coniferous evergreen tree or shrub with needle-like leaves in whorls of three, ranging from 30 ft tall to a low, prostrate spreading shrub in exposed locations. It is dioecious, with male and female cones on separate plants, which are wind pollinated. The fruit are berry-like cones, usually spherical, and initially green, ripening in 18 months to purple-black with a blue waxy coating.

The seeds are dispersed when birds eat the cones, digesting the fleshy scales and passing the hard, unwinged seeds in their droppings. The plant is cultivated in the horticulture trade and used as an ornamental shrub in gardens. The astringent blue-black seed cones, commonly known as "juniper berries", are seldom eaten raw and are sold dried and used to flavor meats, sauces, stuffings, and even certain beers and gin. The leaves and stems can be boiled to create tea that is often described as having a spicy gin-like flavor. Common Juniper is widely distributed throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere and is valued for a range of traditional medicines, culinary uses, and decorative craft items.

Growing Info

Growing

Transplant your young juniper plants when they are big enough to handle and have some proper leaves. Put them into small pots and water carefully. When the roots have filled the pots, transplant the young trees into 1- or 2-litre pots, taking care not to disturb the roots too much. 

Planting

Prepare the site well by clearing away any weeds or grass and make a hole big enough to accommodate the root ball. Carefully ease the plant out of the pot (tapping gently if needed) and place carefully in the hole. Make sure the stem it at the same depth as it was in the pot, and firm back the soil.Seedlings require shade during their initial year of growth