Usually available: All year

Life cycle: Perennial
Height: 4 - 10m
Position: Sun / part shade
Soil preference: Well drained

This is how we pack and send your Herb Plants

You will receive
- 1 Juniper Female Herb Plant in a 50 X 75mm tube - General growing instructions

All of our Herb Plants are grown organically with certified organic potting mixes and fertilizers

Botanical Name: Juniperus communis (Female)

The Common Juniper is a hardy, but slow growing coniferous shrub or tree that remains evergreen in most climates. It may grow from 4 to 10 meters, but 5 meters is often the maximum height even in native habitats. The small needle-like leaves are blue-green, with a white stomatal line on the inner surface and held in whorls of 3. The bark is red to grey-brown in colour, quite thin and shreds easily.

The Common Juniper is dioecious, meaning the plant has separate male and female flowers. In this case, both a male and female tree is required to produce seeds. The male tree has yellow blossoms while the female flowers appear as small clusters of scales. The seed cones have 3-6 fused sides and are sometimes called berries or fruits. Each compartment is 4-12 mm, spherical and contains a single seed. The male cones are yellow and small, at 2-3 mm. They fall off in late spring or summer after shedding their pollen. The female tree hold the ripening cones, which start as green and turn to a grey-black as they start to ripen during the following season, taking some 18 months to 3 years to mature after fertilisation. When black and ripe the fruits have a leathery feel and a white ‘bloom’ or dust over them. This means Junipers may have green ‘fruits’ or cones from the current season and ripe black cones from the season before. When ripe the fruits are highly aromatic, as is the whole plant.

We also have a self-pollinating juniper variety.

The scientific name for this plant is Juniperus communis and it belongs to the Cupressaceae family, which has the largest range of any woody plant. It will grow at high altitudes and as far north as Alaska, throughout Europe and into Asia. There are many subspecies and cultivars, with some being more inclined to be prostrate and others upright.

Growing Conditions

The Common Juniper is a slow growing, hardy plant that reportedly grows as little as 2-3 cm per year. Many gardeners treat this plant as an ornamental groundcover that will eventually grow into a bigger shrub or even a tree up to 10 meters. The slow rate of growth means that the size of the plant is easily controlled to suit local conditions. It is able to grow in full sun or dappled shade and is often found in woodlands or at their edge in natural conditions. This quality enables it to grow happily in most gardens but it is said to be intolerant of full shade conditions.

Most soil types are acceptable as long as they are well drained. This includes heavy clay that does not stay damp, coastal or chalky soils and nutritionally poor soil. Dry or moist soil is tolerated and once established the Common Juniper is drought tolerant and survives in hot, sunny and dry conditions. It is very tolerant of cold conditions and is generally not bothered by frost during dormancy in European winters. A wide pH range is tolerated, from alkaline to quite acidic.

Male and female plants are required if seeds/fruit are desired. The time taken for seeds to ripen is over 18 months, so female plants will often have new green ‘berries’ on the plant while the previous year’s black ‘berries’ are maturing. Normal seed dispersal is by wind and birds as they break open the fruits or cones and eat the seed. Seed propagation is very complex and time consuming. Cold stratification is required and after this process some seeds may still take up to 18 months to germinate. Propagation is generally by mature wood cuttings of 5-10 cm with a heel tip. Even these may take up to 12 months before they are successful. Vegetative reproduction does occur in nature when an older tree falls and roots begin from the branches lying in contact with the ground.

Medicinal Uses

The common Juniper has a history of medicinal and folklore application. The most significant aspect of Juniper is its potential for toxin elimination. When fully ripe the fruits and seeds are strongly antiseptic, carminative, diaphoretic, strongly diuretic, stomachic and tonic. It is used to treat cystitis and urinary problems, digestive problems, arthritis, gout, rheumatic pain, and for diabetes. External use with the essential oil or an ointment includes treatment of wounds and skin problems, where the oil may warm the skin and help to eliminate toxins and waste products from the skin and tissues. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy applications while a tea is often prepared for other treatments.

Culinary Uses

The seeds are very bitter and quite strong, so they are usually used for flavouring rather than consumed directly. They may be used raw or cooked and are harvested when dark and fully ripe. They are often crushed to release the aromatic flavour and used sparingly due to the intensity. Some examples of use include, flavouring for sauerkraut, stuffing and vegetable pates. The essential oil made from the fruit is also an essential oil for gin, the alcoholic beverage. The name ‘gin’ is derived from an Old French word for Juniper. Beers and a Finnish Ale are also flavoured by Juniper. The roasted seed may be used as a coffee substitute, while boiling the leaves and stems make a tea. A tea that tastes like the beverage gin may also be made from the fruits.

Other Uses

Traditionally the Juniper was used in epidemics with the belief that it would purify the air and cleanse it from infection. It was also used as incense, an insect repellent, to fumigate rooms and to spread around floors to sweeten the small of rooms. The wood is valued for being fragrant, dense, strong and highly ornamental. However, due to the slow growing nature of the plant there is little commercial use for the timber. Due to the decorative nature of the wood, some crafts people make bowls and containers on a small scale. A resin called Sandarac is obtained by making incisions in the trees when they are growing in hot regions. Other commercial applications include anti- dandruff shampoo and as a fragrance in spicy perfumes and the bark as cordage and tinder.

All information provided on this website is for informational purposes only. Please seek professional advice before commencing any treatment.