Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii, commonly known as Sargent Juniper, is a low spreading evergreen shrub native to rocky soils, cliffs, and slopes in East Asia, including Japan, Korea, and the Russian Far East. It typically grows to a height of 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters) and a width of 8-10 feet (2.4-3 meters), making it an excellent ground cover. The plant features dense, prickly, blue-green foliage and produces small, blue-black berry-like cones that may attract birds. Sargent Juniper is particularly noted for its tolerance of harsh conditions, including poor soils and salt spray, making it a popular choice for coastal landscapes and urban environments.

Sargent Juniper is valued for its low maintenance requirements, ability to stabilize slopes, and use in bonsai. It is often utilized in mass plantings, as a ground cover, or for erosion control. This juniper thrives in full sun but can tolerate light shade and prefers well-drained soils. While it is drought-tolerant once established, it benefits from medium amounts of water during establishment. Gardeners should be aware of potential issues with juniper blight and root rot in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0