A nondescript, decrepit twist of gnarled wood found tucked between rocks in the Finnish tundra is a lot more than meets the eye. Concealed within the tangled limbs of the now-dead common juniper ... Juniperus communis, the common juniper, is a species of small tree or shrub in the cypress family Cupressaceae.

Understanding the Context

An evergreen conifer, it has the largest geographical range of any woody plant, with a Holarctic distribution throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere. Common juniper (Juniperus communis) is a native evergreen shrub that makes a low-maintenance addition to any home or garden. Learn how to care for juniper below. Possibly the most widely distributed tree in the world, Juniperus communis (Common Juniper) is an evergreen shrub or columnar tree.

Key Insights

In North America, it most often grows as a low mat-forming shrub reaching up to 5 ft. in height (150 cm) and 7-13 ft. across (210-390 cm). Names: Common Juniper lives up to its name, being the only circumpolar conifer of the northern hemisphere. Relationships: There are about 70 species of Juniper worldwide, with 13 native to the United States.

Final Thoughts

The common juniper may be a shrub or small tree. It is one of the most commonly found junipers throughout the world. It's typically found in dry, rocky, wooded hillsides or exposed slopes. The oil from the fleshy cones can be used as flavoring and to make gin. Common juniper is a coniferous evergreen shrub or small tree with the largest geographical range of any woody plant. Confers do not bear flowers, but the short needles are tightly crowded on the twig, 3 at a whorl, and fleshy seed cones, bluish and berry-like, create a winter interest.

Juniperus communis, commonly called common juniper, is a dioecious, needled, evergreen conifer that grows in a variety of different shapes and forms in cool to cold areas of the Northern Hemisphere plus in one isolated population growing in the Atlas Mountains of Africa. Common juniper is an indicator in a number of forest and shrubland habitat types and community types. The common juniper (Juniperus communis) stands as one of the most resilient and versatile conifers you can grow in your garden. This hardy species has captured gardeners’ hearts with its slow growth, exceptional drought tolerance, and distinctive blue-green foliage that persists year-round.