Common Juniper - Juniperus communis Green Carpet

Juniperus communis 'Green Carpet' is a common juniper with a prostrate and creeping habit, forming a magnificent carpet with changing colours. Its long spiny branches cover the ground with a dense foliage of dark greenish-grey with silver reflections, which turns blue-violet in winter. This slow-growing conifer is extremely hardy and perfectly adapted to difficult conditions. It is an excellent ground cover plant, ideal for decorating a large slope or rockery. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and can even tolerate poor, occasionally dry and calcareous ground.

Juniperus communis is an evergreen and spiny conifer belonging to the Cupressaceae family, which includes related species such as cypress and chamaecyparis. It is native to northern Europe, North America, and Asia Minor. In its natural environment, its growth habit varies from conical or spreading to prostrate, reaching a height of 6 m (19.7 ft) and a spread of 3 m to 4 m (9.8 to 13.1 ft). This species appreciates poor, sandy and/or calcareous soils and can tolerate arid conditions.

The 'Green Carpet' juniper, derived from this species, forms a prostrate shrub after 10 years, with a very spreading habit, measuring 30 cm (11.8 in) in height and a spread of 1 m (3.3 ft) to 1 m (3.3 ft) 20. It grows slowly when young, at a rate of 2 cm (0.8 in) in height and 5 cm (2 in) in width per year. The growth accelerates slightly as it ages. An adult specimen will measure approximately 40 cm to 50 cm (15.7 in to 19.7 in) in height and 2 m (6.6 ft) in diameter. Its foliage consists of two types of leaves: the juveniles have a scale-like appearance while the adult leaves are needles. Its small, tightly packed juvenile leaves release a resinous and aromatic odour when rubbed. From spring to autumn, the foliage takes on a light green hue (due to young shoots), then green-grey, before gradually turning a beautiful blue-violet colour in winter. The brown-black fruits are carried by the female plants. These scaly berries are known as cones and are rich in essential oil with many therapeutic virtues. Its grey-brown bark hides a reddish-brown wood and peels off over time. Junipers have a shallow root system that makes them fragile in the face of strong winds and difficult to plant with perennials.

Juniperus communis 'Green Carpet' is an extraordinary conifer that conquers the most difficult areas of the garden, as long as they are sunny spots. It suits planting on a large slope, among rocks, above a wall or a low wall, or near a swimming pool, as it goes well with geometric lines and masonry works. It can also be installed near a water point, overlooking a rocky scree. The visual qualities of conifers suit a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of forms, silhouettes, and textures to the daintiness of flowering schemes. These plants are a perfect alternative to trimmed boxwood or holly, and can be used to mark pathways or border terraces. They also add permanence to the structure of a flowerbed, and perfectly complement mahonias or grasses. The key is to play with volumes and colours until you find the right effect in your garden.