Juniperus excelsa ‘Stricta’ (30/12/14, Kew gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 5m
Eventual Spread: 3m
Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Family: Cupressaceae
Juniperus excelsa ‘Stricta’ Leaf (30/12/14, Kew gardens, London)
Juniperus excelsa ‘Stricta’ is an evergreen shrub with a conical habit habit. Its mid grey/ green leaves appear in two forms, juvenile and adult. Its juvenile leaves are sharp, needle like and up to 1cm long. Its adult leaves are scale like and up to 3mm long. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 2m. The dioecious flowers of the plant are inconspicuous, wind pollinated and are not self fertile. The female seed cones are berry like, up to 11mm across, are initially green in color ripening to blue/ black. The male pollen cones are up to 4mm long and yellow color.
Juniperus excelsa ‘Stricta’ Pollen Cones (30/12/14, Kew gardens, London)
The species Juniperus excelsa, commonly known as the Greek Juniper, is native to the eastern Mediterranean.
The etymological root of the binomial name Juniperus is derived from the old Latin name for the Juniper tree. Excelsa is derived from the Latin excelsior meaning ‘ever upward’.
Juniperus excelsa ‘Stricta’ Berry (30/12/14, Kew Gardens, London)
The landscape architect may find Juniperus excelsa ‘Stricta’ useful as a compact evergreen conifer. This tree is tolerant of maritime exposure.
Ecologically, Juniperus excelsa ‘Stricta’ berries/ cones are attractive to some birds.
Juniperus excelsa ‘Stricta’ Bark (30/12/14, Kew Gardens, London)
Juniperus excelsa ‘Stricta’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate very alkaline soils.
Juniperus excelsa ‘Stricta’ requires little maintenance.
