Savin juniper Juniperus sabina 'Tamariscifolia'

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Not blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

'Tamarix' Juniper is a low-spreading shrub that is well-known for its lush, feathery foliage. It has a dense, mat-forming habit, creating a carpet of greenery as it grows. The leaves of this plant are small, scale-like, and tightly arranged along the branches. They are rich in color, displaying a dark green hue that can have bluish or silvery undertones, giving it a distinctive appearance throughout the year. The branches of the 'Tamarix' Juniper tend to spread horizontally before dipping towards the ground, giving it a cascading effect that can be quite striking in a landscaped setting. The foliage not only adds texture but also provides an excellent backdrop for the occasional small, berry-like cones that may appear. These cones are usually dark blue or almost black and may have a whitish bloom, resembling tiny berries that contrast nicely with the foliage. Overall, the 'Tamarix' Juniper gives off a lush and neatly groomed appearance, with its intricately interwoven branches creating a dense mat that can serve as an elegant ground cover or an accent in a rock garden or border.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Cupressaceae.
- Synonyms
  Savin Juniper, Tam Juniper, Tamarisk Juniper.
- Common names
  Juniperus sabina var. tamariscifolia, Sabina tamariscifolia.
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Savin Juniper is known to be toxic to humans if ingested. The plant contains compounds such as sabinol and podophyllotoxin, which can cause severe gastrointestinal irritation, kidney damage, and central nervous system effects. Symptoms of poisoning from this plant can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and in serious cases, can lead to convulsions, respiratory failure and even death. Pregnant women should avoid handling this plant as it can induce miscarriage.
- To pets
  The Savin Juniper is also toxic to pets, including dogs and cats. If ingested, pets may experience similar symptoms as humans, such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and more severe cases can lead to neurological symptoms, kidney failure, and potentially be fatal. It is important to keep pets away from this plant and to seek veterinary care immediately if there is any suspicion of ingestion.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Height
  1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
- Spread
  4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters)
- Plant type
  Shrub
- Hardiness zones
  4-7
- Native area
  Europe Asia

Benefits

General Benefits
- Landscape Aesthetics: Adds visual interest to landscapes with its distinctive foliage and low-spreading habit.
- Erosion Control: Helps to prevent soil erosion on slopes due to its dense growth and extensive root system.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it is tolerant to drought, making it suitable for xeriscaping and low-water landscapes.
- Wildlife Habitat: Provides cover for birds and other small wildlife seeking shelter and nesting sites.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, with reduced need for watering, fertilizing, and pruning.
- Adaptability: Able to grow in a variety of soil types, including poor soils, as long as they are well-drained.
- Evergreen: Retains its foliage year-round, offering constant color and texture to gardens even in winter months.
- Windbreak: Can serve as a windbreak or natural screen when planted in rows or clusters.
- Pest Resistance: Generally resistant to pests, reducing the need for chemical pest control measures.
- Cultural Significance: Offers aesthetic value and has been used in traditional gardens for centuries, particularly in rock and alpine gardens.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Ground Cover: Sabina Juniper is excellent for covering ground, stabilizing slopes, and preventing soil erosion, thanks to its low, spreading habit.
- Ornamental Landscaping: It's often used in gardens for its attractive form, evergreen foliage, and adaptability to pruning and shaping for aesthetic purposes.
- Culinary Ingredient: In some regions, the berries are used as a flavoring agent in sauces and marinades, although caution is advised due to potential toxicity.
- Wildlife Shelter: Provides a safe haven and habitat for small wildlife such as birds and beneficial insects due to its dense foliage.
- Hedge Plant: Often planted in rows to form a live, low-maintenance hedge that doesn't require frequent trimming.
- Garden Sculpture: Can be sculpted into topiary forms for a structured element in contrast to more informal garden plantings.
- Cultural Significance: In some cultures, it's used in traditional ceremonies or as a symbol in gardens due to its longevity and evergreen nature.
- Bonsai Specimen: Suitable for bonsai creation, allowing enthusiasts to shape and display its miniature form in a pot.
- Windbreak: Planted in groups or rows, it can act as a barrier against strong winds, thus protecting smaller, less hardy plants nearby.
- Insect Repellent: The wood and foliage have been used traditionally to repel moths and other insects from linens and wardrobes.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Savin juniper is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Savin juniper is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Protection: Juniper plants, in general, are often thought to symbolize protection. This is because they have been used historically to ward off evil spirits and negative energies.
- Purity: The clean, sharp scent of juniper is associated with purification, and it is commonly used in rituals and practices meant to purify and cleanse spaces, objects, and individuals.
- Healing: Juniper has a long history of being used in traditional medicine. The symbolic association with healing coincides with its practical use in treating various ailments.
- Longevity: The hardy nature of junipers, which allows them to live for a very long time, symbolizes longevity and endurance.
- Sanctity: Due to its purification qualities, juniper is sometimes linked to sanctity and holy rites, signifying a connection to spiritual practices.

💧

Every 2-3 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Early Spring

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Savin Juniper, also known by its scientific name Juniperus sabina 'Tamariscifolia', requires minimal watering once established. It is drought-tolerant and should only be watered when the top few inches of the soil feel dry to the touch. When watering, do so thoroughly, providing the plant with approximately 1 to 1.5 gallons of water per square yard of soil every two to three weeks during dry periods. Avoid overwatering as this plant does not like soggy soil, and ensure that the soil has good drainage.
Light
Savin Junipers thrive in full sunlight, meaning they require at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. The best spot for this plant would be an open landscape where it can receive unfiltered sunlight throughout the day. Partial shade can be tolerated but may impact the density and color of the foliage.
Temperature
The Savin Juniper prefers temperate climates and is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 7. This conifer can withstand winter temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures upwards to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, although it thrives best when temperatures remain between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It adapts well to fluctuations in temperature within these ranges.
Pruning
Pruning the Savin Juniper is mainly done to shape the plant or remove dead and diseased foliage. Ideal pruning should be done in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Typically, this plant requires minimal pruning; however, any necessary pruning should be done conservatively to maintain the natural form of the plant and encourage denser foliage.
Cleaning
Not needed
Soil
The Savin Juniper thrives best in well-draining soil with a blend of one part topsoil, one part peat, and one part coarse sand or perlite. It prefers a soil pH between 6.0 and 8.0.
Repotting
Savin Junipers are slow-growing and require repotting only once every 3 to 4 years. Check the root system in spring before new growth starts.
Humidity & Misting
Savin Juniper prefers low to moderate humidity levels and can tolerate dry atmospheric conditions well.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright light, cool temps, and airflow for Savin Juniper indoors.
- Outdoor
  Plant Savin Juniper in full sun, well-drained soil, and space it properly.
- Hardiness zone
  4-8 USDA
Life cycle
The life cycle of the Savin Juniper ('Juniperus sabina 'Tamariscifolia') starts with seed germination, which occurs in a well-drained soil with some moisture and sunlight. As a slow-growing coniferous shrub, it enters a lengthy juvenile phase, where it develops its needle-like foliage and spreads out horizontally, often taking several years to reach maturity. During the adult stage, the plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers, with separate male and female flowers often on separate plants (dioecious); males release pollen and females develop small berry-like cones called juniper berries. After pollination and fertilization, these berries mature, encapsulating the seeds which can be dispersed by birds and other animals. The mature Savin Juniper has a dense, spreading habit and can live for many decades, thriving in full sun to partial shade and requiring minimal maintenance. Death of the plant occurs due to natural aging, environmental stressors, or disease, eventually returning nutrients to the soil as it decomposes.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Early Spring
- The juniper variety Juniperus sabina 'Tamariscifolia', commonly known as the Savin juniper, is commonly propagated by cuttings. The most popular method involves taking semi-hardwood cuttings from the plant during the late summer, which typically corresponds to August through September. To propagate by cuttings, one needs to select healthy, disease-free, semi-ripe shoots from the current season's growth. These shoots are then cut into lengths of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters), ensuring each cutting has several sets of needles. The lower needle sets are removed, and the cut end may be dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. The prepared cuttings are inserted into a mix of sand and peat or a well-draining potting mix in a container, ensuring at least one set of needles remains above the substrate. The container is kept in a humid environment, often under a plastic cover, and in indirect light until roots have formed, which typically takes several weeks to a few months.