Juniperus oxycedrus
Juniperus oxycedrus · Cupressaceae
📷 Jean Tosti · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around juniperus oxycedrus and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Juniperus oxycedrus
- Family
- Cupressaceae
- Foliage
- Evergreen, scaly and needle-like
- Flowering
- Discreet cones, no ornamental flowers
- Mature size
- 3 to 4 m in height
- Growth
- Slow to moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, -20 °C
- Origin
- Mediterranean Basin
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Juniper is the ultimate hardy species—once planted, it survives with barely any care. Drainage is essential, full sun is non-negotiable.
The common mistake
Watering regularly in summer creates root rot: juniper only needs water during its first year after planting.
The pro's trick
Lightly prune any overhanging branches in April to maintain a compact shape and ensure proper wound healing.
Care
Exposure
Cade requires full sun exposure to develop its compact structure and beautiful greyish hue. A situation sheltered from strong winds is recommended, although it tolerates windy environments. Avoid partial shade, which makes the plant sparse.
Watering
After planting, gradually reduce watering. Cade is very drought-tolerant and only needs water during extended periods without rain in summer. In continental or temperate climates, natural rainfall is usually sufficient. Excess moisture harms its development.
Soil
Cade adapts to all soil types, including poor, chalky or stony ground. Well-draining soil is essential to prevent root asphyxiation. No organic matter is needed; it thrives even on arid slopes.
Fertiliser
No fertiliser is needed. Cade is a frugal plant that makes do with natural soil nutrients. Light top-dressing with coarse sand can suffice if the soil is very compacted.
Pruning
Lightly prune unbalanced or damaged branches in early spring. Cade accepts moderate pruning, but avoid drastic rejuvenation. Do not cut into dead wood or the oldest parts, as regeneration is poor there.
Diseases and pests
Cade is very robust and rarely affected by diseases or pests. Excellent drainage prevents root rot. In cases of chronic excess moisture, fungi may appear, but this remains exceptional under normal conditions.
Did you know?
Cade is famous for its essential oil rich in tar, once distilled and used in perfumery, traditional medicine and tanning. Its very name derives from the Arabic 'qâd', attesting to ancestral uses in the Middle East and Mediterranean. In ancient phytotherapy, this essence was reputed for its tonic properties, although its use today is highly specialised.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Giant sequoiaSequoiadendron giganteum
- JuniperJuniperus communis
- Northern WhitecedarThuja occidentalis
- Bald cypressTaxodium distichum
- Lawson cypressChamaecyparis lawsoniana
- Coast redwoodSequoia sempervirens
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.