Juniperus procumbens Nana

Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' is the dwarf form of the Japanese creeping juniper Juniperus procumbens. Over time, it forms a prostrate carpet with long thorny branches that follow the contours of the ground. It is adorned with dense foliage that does not brown, starting as a very fresh apple green in spring, then turning bluish, sometimes becoming blue-violet in winter. This slow-growing conifer is extremely hardy and perfectly adapted to difficult conditions. It is an excellent ground cover, ideal for decorating a large slope or rockery. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, even poor, occasionally dry and chalky soil.

Juniperus procumbens is an evergreen and thorny conifer belonging to the Cupressaceae family, which includes similar species such as cypresses and chamaecyparis. It is native to southern Japan and sometimes considered a variety of Juniperus chinensis. In its natural environment, it has a spreading and prostrate habit, reaching a height of 50 cm (19.7 in) and a spread of 2 m to 4 m (6.6 ft to 13.1 ft). This species prefers well-drained, poor, sandy and/or chalky soils and is drought-tolerant.

The 'Nana' creeping juniper forms a prostrate carpet with a very spreading habit, measuring 30 cm (11.8 in) in height and a spread of 1 m to 1.2 m (3.3 ft to 3.9 ft). It grows very slowly when young, then its growth accelerates slightly with age. Its horizontal branches tend to interweave and form an impenetrable carpet. Its foliage consists of juvenile leaves, which are quite wide needles. Its small, tightly packed leaves release a resinous and aromatic scent when rubbed. In spring, the foliage has a light green colour (due to the young shoots), then turns bluish, sometimes taking on blue-violet hues in winter due to the cold. Fruits rarely appear in cultivation, only on female plants. They are scaly berries called cones; they are brown-black and covered with a bluish bloom. Junipers have a shallow root system that makes them vulnerable to strong winds and difficult to plant with perennials.

The 'Nana' creeping juniper is an extraordinary conifer. It is very undemanding and easily conquers space in the most challenging areas of the garden as long as they are sunny. Plant it on a large slope, among rocks, above a wall, or near a pool, as it blends well with geometric lines and masonry structures. It is easily grown in pots and adapts well to the art of bonsai. It can also be planted near a water feature, cascading down a rocky slope. The structural qualities of conifers naturally shine in a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of forms, silhouettes, and textures over the fleeting appearance of flowers. These plants have a reassuring permanence that provides lasting structure to a flower bed. They can be used to mark pathways and border terraces, easily replacing trimmed boxwood. They can be combined with wild grasses and heathers with very complementary temperaments. The key is to play with volumes and colours.