How big does Flaky juniper grow?

About 50 cm × 1 m after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 30–90 cm × 1–1.5 m.

Is Flaky juniper hardy?

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Flaky juniper be planted?

Plant it at least 1 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How much water does Flaky juniper need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does Flaky juniper cost?

It sells for roughly €15 to €19 in local shops, depending on size.

Flaky juniper

Juniperus squamata

Flaky juniper (Juniperus squamata) is a shrub that reaches 50 cm × 1 m after ten years. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Sold in local shops from about €15.

Illustration of Flaky juniper — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

Flaky juniper is sold as dwarf, steel-blue garden forms: Blue Star is a slow, dense dome, Blue Carpet a flat, wide-spreading ground cover, and Meyeri an upright bush that reaches head height in time. It suits rock gardens, banks, gravel beds and containers, wants full sun and free-draining soil, and needs no pruning. The needles are prickly, so keep it away from paths and wear gloves when handling it.

Watch out for

In heavy, wet soil the roots rot, which is the most common cause of loss. In the hot summers of Central Europe spider mites and the heat make the foliage dull and brown from the inside, and the dead needles stay on the plant, so old specimens can become bare; in wet springs fungal tip blight also occurs. On strongly limy soil the foliage of the creeping forms can turn yellow. The good news is that it is resistant to pear rust, so it can be planted near pear trees.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 50 cm × 1 m
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Evergreen

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	50 cm × 1 m
Ultimate size	30–90 cm × 1–1.5 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Acidic
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	no data
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	80 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €15

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
20-25 cm	approx. €15
40-50 cm	approx. €19
size not stated	approx. €17

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Ground cover plants Evergreen plants Plants for containers Low-maintenance shrubs Low shrubs