Singleseed Juniper

Juniperus squamata (Cupressaceae) is an evergreen conifer native to the mountains of China, Afghanistan, Bhutan, northern India, Nepal, and Pakistan at elevations from 1,600 to 4,500 meters. The species varies from procumbent shrub to small tree (up to 40 feet in the wild). It bears only awl-type needles in whorls of three (never scale leaves), each slightly concave with white stomatal bands on the inner surface. Bark is flaky and brown. Seed cones are black to bluish-black and contain a single seed.

Singleseed juniper grows slowly in full sun and adapts to dry soils across a wide pH range (4.5 to 8.5). It dislikes high humidity and heat. The species is rarely grown in its wild form; the dwarf cultivar 'Blue Star' (to 3 feet, dense mound of silvery-blue foliage, RHS Award of Garden Merit) is the dominant landscape selection and a popular bonsai subject. Like other junipers, it is susceptible to Phomopsis and Kabatina tip blights, rusts, and various scale and mite pests. Hardy in Zones 4a to 8b.