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(Juniperus excelsa)
Greek Juniper (Juniperus excelsa)
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Kristof Zyskowski
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Kristof Zyskowski
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Kristof Zyskowski | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Kristof Zyskowski | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-04-07T16:18:12-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Juniperus excelsa, commonly known as Greek juniper, is an evergreen conifer that can grow as a large shrub or tree with a height of up to 82 feet (25 meters) and a broadly conical to irregular crown. It is native to mountainous regions, rocky slopes, and scrublands in the eastern Mediterranean, including northeastern Greece, Turkey, and the Caucasus mountains. Greek juniper is characterized by its dense, prickly, blue-green foliage and its dioecious nature, with separate male and female plants. The female plants produce blue-black, berry-like cones, which are actually modified seed cones, while the male plants bear yellow cones that release pollen.
Greek juniper is valued for its ornamental qualities, including its striking form and the contrast between its foliage and the berry-like cones. It is used in landscape design for windbreaks, privacy screens, and as a specimen plant in large gardens or parks. The wood of Juniperus excelsa is known for its durability and has been historically valued for various construction purposes. In cultivation, it requires well-drained, dry, rocky soils and thrives in full sun to part shade. It is drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping. While generally disease-resistant, it can be susceptible to juniper blight and root rot if grown in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Greek juniper is valued for its ornamental qualities, including its striking form and the contrast between its foliage and the berry-like cones. It is used in landscape design for windbreaks, privacy screens, and as a specimen plant in large gardens or parks. The wood of Juniperus excelsa is known for its durability and has been historically valued for various construction purposes. In cultivation, it requires well-drained, dry, rocky soils and thrives in full sun to part shade. It is drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping. While generally disease-resistant, it can be susceptible to juniper blight and root rot if grown in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub, Tree
- Height: 20-82 feet
- Width: 16-26 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Non-Flowering
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Fast, Medium
Common Uses
Drought Tolerant, Hedges, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
native to mountainous regions, rocky slopes, and scrublands in the eastern Mediterranean, including northeastern Greece, Turkey, and the Caucasus mountains
Other Names
Common Names: Crimean Juniper , Dedali-Gwia , Grecian Juniper , Turkestan Juniper , Divlja Foja , Eastern Juniper
Scientific Names: Juniperus excelsa , Juniperus excelsa f. stricta , Juniperus excelsa subsp. stricta , Juniperus excelsa var. depressa , Juniperus excelsa var. pendula , Juniperus excelsa var. stricta , Juniperus excelsa var. stricta , Juniperus kulsaica , Juniperus lasdeliana , Juniperus lasdeliana
GBIF Accepted Name: