Juniperus virginiana is a hardy aromatic evergreen known as Eastern Red Cedar valued for its dense pyramidal shape, reddish bark, and blue berry like cones. It provides exceptional winter interest and year round structure to landscapes often thriving in poor dry soils where few other species succeed. Its foliage ranges from green to blue green and becomes bronze tinged in cold weather.
Height & Spread: 15 - 25 ft x 6 - 12 ft
Bloom Time: Non flowering (conifer)
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Tolerates a wide range of soils including clay, sandy, and rocky
Watering Needs: Low once established; drought tolerant
Deer Resistance: Highly resistant due to aromatic foliage and tough texture
Native Status
Juniperus virginiana is native to eastern and central North America ranging from Canada to the Gulf Coast. It plays an essential role in native ecosystems as both cover and food for wildlife.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Birds
- Provides dense year round shelter and nesting sites for cedar waxwings, robins, and juncos while the berry like cones are a vital winter food source.
Mammals
- Fruit and shelter benefit small mammals such as voles, rabbits, and white tailed deer during winter months.
Butterflies
- Serves as larval host for Juniper Hairstreak butterflies and attracts adult butterflies seeking shelter and warmth in dense branches.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Space 10 - 12 ft apart for windbreaks or hedges; allow more room for specimen plantings.
Landscape Placement:
- Excellent for erosion control, naturalistic plantings, or as a tough evergreen screen in sunny exposed locations.
Companion Plants
- Echinacea pallida (Pale Purple Coneflower) - Elegant reflexed blooms in soft purple hues offer a prairie style contrast to the rugged evergreen.
- Artemisia schmidtiana 'Silver Mound' - Feathery silver foliage echoes the cool tones of juniper and thrives in similar dry soil conditions.
- Amelanchier canadensis (Serviceberry) - Offers early flowers and edible berries that support pollinators and birds alongside the structural evergreen.
- Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) - Upright grass with blue green blades and rusty fall color complements the juniper’s form.
- Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage) - Wispy blue flowers and aromatic leaves blend beautifully with the texture of juniper foliage.