Juniperus chinensis Expansa Variegata

The Juniperus chinensis Expansa Variegata is a creeping blue-green Juniper with very decorative cream variegation. It is a low-growing bush that spreads in width and is well-suited for rockeries or slopes. This variegated creeping juniper is an easy plant to grow, as it is very adaptable. It appreciates some soil moisture, but once established, it can tolerate dry conditions. It grows well in neutral to limestone soil, even poor or sandy soil. It is recommended to have a sunny exposure, but it can also tolerate partial shade. Its high hardiness allows it to be planted anywhere in the UK.

The Juniperus chinensis is a member of the Cupressaceae family, which includes other well-known conifers such as Chamaecyparis, Thuja, Cupressus, or less common ones such as Calocedrus or Tetraclinis. Native to Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Russia), it is generally a large tree with a more or less pyramidal habit. The species has given rise to numerous cultivars, including a number of ground cover varieties, such as this juniper, formerly known as Juniperus davurica 'Expansa Variegata'.
This variety indeed has a clearly spreading habit, reaching about 50 cm (19.7 in) in height and 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) in spread in 10 years. At maturity, after 30 to 40 years, it can reach a spread of 3 m (9 ft 10 in), without exceeding 60 to 70 cm (23.6 to 27.6 in) in height. Its dense foliage consists of small rigid needles, mostly blue-green in colour. Here and there, entirely cream or mixed with green shoots emerge, which are the distinctive feature of this highly decorative variety.
This shrub has inherited from its origins a great hardiness (beyond -25°C) as well as an ability to adapt to different growing conditions. It is therefore a good plant for beginners in the garden, as it is generally very tolerant and can withstand air pollution, which is an advantage in urban areas.

Of moderate growth, this Expansa Variegata juniper will be suitable for even the smallest gardens and can be planted in diverse flower beds in larger areas. Obviously, it will also be very interesting in rockeries or to cover an unattractive slope. Its low vigor also allows it to be grown in containers, to decorate a balcony or terrace, and even to create a unique pseudo-bonsai by regularly pruning it. This highly decorative small conifer will benefit from being associated with other conifers with colourful foliage, especially golden ones, such as the Thuja occidentalis Rheingold with a conical habit or the Taxus baccata David, a columnar yew that will contrast with both colour and form. Purple or almost black foliage will also be interesting to create attractive scenes, such as those in the series of Lagerstroemia Indica Black Solitaire (Blush, Best Red or Crimson Red depending on the flower colour). This way, you will benefit not only from the juniper's bicolor foliage, but also from burgundy-black foliage in the summer, dazzling flowering in summer, and decorative bark that will become more beautiful over the years.