Common juniper and Eastern red cedar are often considered for the same spot in the garden (specimen, screening). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.
Juniperus communis 2.5 m × 80 cm after 10 years
A native, slow-growing evergreen with prickly needles and blue-black berry-like cones, planted in gardens mostly as its slender columnar cultivars for…
Juniperus virginiana 2 m × 2.5 m after 10 years
A very undemanding, tough evergreen: it takes drought, limy and poor soil, city air and hard frost, asking only for full sun and a spot free of…
Eastern red cedar grows faster than Common juniper.
Common juniper is hardier: down to -40 °C, against -34 °C for Eastern red cedar.
|
Feature
|
Common juniper
|
Eastern red cedar
|
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shrub | Shrub |
| Size after 10 years | 2.5 m × 80 cm | 2 m × 2.5 m |
| Ultimate size | 1.5–8 m × 0.6–4 m | 0.9–20 m × 1.5–7.5 m |
| Growth rate | Slow | Medium |
| Light | Full sun, Part shade | Full sun |
| Soil | Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic, Clay | Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic |
| Hardiness | down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7) | down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7) |
| Foliage | Evergreen | Evergreen |
| Water need | Low | Low |
| Drought tolerance | High | High |
| Maintenance | Low | Low |
| Planting distance | 100 cm | 200 cm |
| For children | Mildly toxic (uncertain) | Mildly toxic (uncertain) |
| Typical price | approx. €8.50 | approx. €9 |
Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 13, 2026
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