Juniperus conferta

Juniperus conferta (Cupressaceae) is a prostrate, thicket-forming juniper native to the sandy seashores of Japan and Sakhalin Island, Russia. It grows about 2 feet tall and spreads 6 to 8 feet, forming dense, low mats of blue-green to bronze-green foliage. The awl-shaped, spiny-pointed needles (about 5/8 inch) are arranged in groups of three. Berry-like seed cones start dark blue-green and mature to bluish-black with a silvery bloom.

Shore juniper demands full sun and well-drained soil; it dislikes wet conditions. Salt tolerance makes it especially valuable for coastal plantings. It is fire resistant and moderately drought tolerant, adapting to a pH range of 5.5 to 8.0. Foliage may turn bronze-green to yellow-green in winter. Cultivars include 'All Gold' (8 feet, gold foliage) and 'Blue Pacific'. Like other junipers, it is subject to Phomopsis twig blight, Kabatina tip blight, and various scale and mite pests. Hardy in Zones 7a to 9b.