Maryland Native Evergreens

Juniperus virginiana

Juniperus virginiana, is a native evergreen conifer. The foliage is a dark blue-green but may turn brown-green in winter. This plant is dioecious species with separate male and female trees. The female trees produce gray to blackish-green berry-like cones that ripen in the fall. The cones are attractive birds. Juniperus virginiana is best planted as a landscape specimen or as a large screen. It tolerates a wide range of soils and growing conditions, but it prefers well-drained soils in full sun.

LGS Notes:

These are one of the only native evergreen privacy border plants we have to recommend when clients are looking for something more than arbor vitae or leyland cypress. There are a few more compact varieties like Idyllwild, Emerald Green Sentinel and Taylor for those that don’t have a lot of space. These are great trees for Christmas greens decorating and wreath making! ~Lauren

Juniperus virginiana, ‘Grey Owl’- Eastern Red Cedar is a slow-growing cultivar of Juniperus virginiana, and it has a compact, wide spreading habit. The evergreen foliage is silver-gray. ‘Grey Owl’ can produce berry-like cones, which attract birds. This evergreen tolerates a wide variety of soils and growing conditions, and it is the best drought resistant native conifer in the eastern United States.