Juniperus communis Suecica

Juniperus communis 'Suecica' is a highly decorative variety of the common juniper. This slow-growing evergreen conifer has a more or less broad columnar habit, with a beautiful bluish-green colour. Very adaptable to the soil, thriving in full sun and tolerating partial shade, highly hardy, it is an easy plant to grow in the garden. Its architectural habit will be highlighted when planted alone, in groups or in rows, but it can also blend well in a border or rock garden. Its distinctive graphic habit makes it a popular choice for contemporary gardens.

Juniperus communis is an evergreen and spiny conifer belonging to the Cupressaceae family, which includes well-known related species such as Cypress, Thuja and Chamaecyparis. It is native to northern Europe, North America and Asia Minor. In its natural environment, it has a quite variable, conical or spreading habit, reaching a height of 6 metres (19 feet 8 inches) and a spread of 3 to 4.50 metres (9 feet 10 inches to 14 feet 10 inches). This species prefers poor, sandy and/or limestone soils and is not afraid of arid conditions.

The 'Suecica' juniper, derived from this species, is a variety identified in the 18th century, which is synonymous with the subspecies J. communis subsp. communis. It is still a popular plant today due to its great decorative qualities, combined with smaller dimensions than the typical species. This juniper forms a columnar bush, more or less regular, reaching a height of 4 to 5 metres (13 feet 1 inches to 16 feet 5 inches) after 20 years with a spread of 1 to 1.50 metres. It therefore grows quite slowly, making it a good choice for a large rock garden.
The foliage consists of small pointed leaves, with a glaucous (bluish) green colour. They are inserted on very dense branches with trailing tips, which distinguishes this Juniperus from the closely related variety 'Hibernica'. The inconspicuous flowering is followed by green fruits turning blue-black in autumn.
Highly hardy (down to -20°C), it is an easy plant to grow and will find its place in most gardens. 

The 'Suecica' juniper is an elegant conifer that can be adopted without hesitation in the garden for its architectural habit and density. Due to its relatively slow growth, it works wonders when planted alone, on a slope, in a large rock garden, or planted in odd-numbered groups in a border along with shorter or taller dwarf conifers with rounded or bushy habits, to create attractive volumes and colors throughout the year.
It will be in perfect harmony with a contemporary-style garden, where its aesthetic habit will be well valued. It can be happily associated with other conifers, seeking to create contrasts of shapes and colours, such as the 'Summergold' Yew with a spreading habit and golden young shoots.
Naturally almost perfect in shape, and which can be further enhanced by light pruning, it is an ideal candidate for a topiary scene, along with a 'Golden Gem' Crenate Holly with fine and evergreen foliage like that of a boxwood, and whose yellow colour will contrast with the foliage of this Juniper.