Juniperus chinensis

Habit varies in the wild, shrub to tree-like.

Usually scaly, green, blue-green to grey; leaves are always needles in the shade; the scales transform into needles even when severeley cut back.

Cordate roots, densely branched, well anchored and robust.

Sun, thinning out with gaps even in light shade; tolerates heat, frost hardy, good for urban environments, wind resistant; very robust and adaptable.

Dry to fresh; in all moderately nutritious, well-drained substrates.

As the cypresses are too sensitive for Mediterranean gardens outside the mediterranean region, the robust junipers are a good visual substitute.

Zone 5a