Parsoni Juniper

Light Needs

Part Shade to Full Sun

(3+ Hours Direct Sun)

Mature Height

2-3 Feet

Mature Spread

4-10 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 9

Parsoni Juniper is a hardy, fast-growing evergreen shrub valued for its spreading, blue-green foliage. Juniperus chinensis 'Parsonii' grows about 2 to 3 feet tall and can reach 5 to 10 feet wide, providing erosion control and ground coverage on slopes, walls, and wide borders. The soft, scale-like foliage has a gray-green to silvery cast that stays attractive through winter. Our landscape designer recommends it for difficult banks where mowing is awkward and year-round coverage is needed.

This Chinese juniper selection has a dense, spreading habit with upright branching that keeps the plant from looking flat. It tolerates heat, salt spray, air pollution, deer browsing, and drought once established. Parsoni Juniper is especially useful for erosion control, rock gardens, coastal sites, low borders, and cascading over retaining walls. Its fine texture also works well between larger shrubs where a lower evergreen layer can tie the planting together.

Parsoni Juniper Care

Plant Parsoni Juniper in full sun to partial shade, with full sun preferred for the densest growth and best color. It adapts to clay, loam, and sandy soil as long as drainage is good. Neutral to slightly acidic soil is ideal, though this juniper is not highly demanding about pH in well-drained sites.

Water deeply after planting to remove air pockets and rehydrate the roots. Continue to water a couple of times per week during the first month or two while roots settle in. Established plants need watering mainly during hot, dry spells, and drought tolerance improves after the second year in the ground. Fertilize lightly in early spring with a slow-release evergreen fertilizer if growth is thin or the soil is poor. Mulch around young plants to conserve moisture, keeping mulch off the crown and lower branches.

Prune Parsoni Juniper in late winter after the threat of extreme cold has passed. Trim stray tips lightly to guide the spread, but avoid cutting back into old bare wood. Remove dead or shaded interior branches as needed to improve airflow and keep the plant clean.

Parsoni Juniper Spacing

Space Parsoni Juniper 4 to 5 feet apart for dense groundcover or erosion control. Allow 6 to 8 feet between plants if you want each shrub to spread as an individual mound. For containers, choose a wide pot at least 18 to 22 inches across with drainage holes and a loose potting mix for shrubs.

On sunny slopes, combine Parsoni Juniper with red hot poker and ice plants for strong flower contrast above the blue-green foliage. Potentilla can add a low flowering shrub layer in a site with open sun and medium moisture. In containers or rock gardens, use allium and lavender around the juniper and provide sharp drainage and bright exposure.

Parsoni Juniper Information

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