Common juniper (Juniperus communis) is one of only three conifers native to the UK. It’s a member of the cypress family and grows on chalk or limestone in lowland areas, and moors, woodland and cliffs in northern Britain. Juniper is in decline in wild populations and has been designated a UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species. This special tree has disappeared from several areas in the south of England. Many remaining colonies are so small that they’re considered functionally extinct. Scotland is now the stronghold for 80 per cent of the UK’s juniper trees.
Juniper has been important to humans for millennia for its culinary, medicinal and ritual properties. It was believed that the aromatic smoke of burning juniper would purify temples and offer protection from the plague. Juniper has been valued in traditional medicine across the world for a range of uses, including its anti-inflammatory properties, to treat digestive disorders and to terminate unwanted pregnancies.
How to grow a juniper treeJuniper can develop in one of two ways – either as a columnar form that creates architectural structure in the garden, or as a spreading form that works well as ground cover. Both types of juniper are suitable for UK gardens. Juniper is hardy and drought-resistant, making it a good choice for well-drained soils, dry regions and coastal areas.
Identifying juniperJuniper trees have dark grey-green, aromatic, needle-like leaves that taper to sharp points, arranged in whorls of three along the stem. Juniper bark is grey-brown on larger branches and reddish-brown on twigs. It has a tendency to peel off in long shreds.
Juniper is a dioecious conifer, meaning male and female cones grow on separate plants. Male cones are small and
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