Carpet Juniper

Frost Tolerance: Hardy in Phoenix

Heat Tolerance: Resistant to heat in Phoenix

Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade

Origin: Eastern Asia

Growth Habits: Very low growing evergreen shrub, 6 to 12 inches tall (15-30 cm), 4 to 10 feet in width (1.2 to 3 m) depending on variety

Watering Needs: Moderate water

Propagation: Seeds, layering, cuttings at the end of the summer.

Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 1: 67. Courtesy of Kentucky Native Plant Society.

There are over 60 cultivars more or less commonly available:
'Blue Chip' has a bluish silvery foliage, 1 foot tall

Blooming Habits:
Junipers are dioecious. Male plants have yellow brown cones, round, 0.2 inch across (5 mm), catkin like. Female cones appear as blue berries, taking several years to ripen. Each 'berry' contains 2 to 6 seeds.

Culture:
Junipers can be pruned easily. They tend to do better in full sun, although their leaves can get burned in summer in the hot deserts.

Propagation:
Seeds should be kept at room temperature for 3 months and the kept in the vegetable compartment in your fridge for another 3 months before being sown.