Juniper (Juniper communis)
An attractive, easy to grow plant — and a key ingredient for gin.
Juniper communis is an evergreen shrub or small tree which can live for up to 200 years. It’s a coniferous plant and is hardy throughout Europe, where it grows wild, as well as being cultivated in many gardens. Varieties of juniper are native to North America (Juniperus virginiana or easter red cedar) Pakistan and the arctic, giving an indication of how tough it is.
It grows well in most soil types provided the soil is well-drained and the plant not in continual shade. They can be grown from seed or cuttings. As junipers are slow-growing and form large plants which will provide more than enough berries for the average family, it’s probably better to buy one rather than propagating plants.
Medicinally, the berries are said to treat urinary tract infections and to help with asthma and sciatica. In some places, the inner bark is used as a sweetener.
If the plants grow too large they may be pruned to the required shape and size. As with all conifers, it’s best to prune regularly once the required size is reached as if cut back hard, the plant might not regrow from the deadwood in the centre of the shrub.
Juniper berries are not true berries, but a form of cone. They ripen to almost black. It’s common for green and ripe berries to be…
