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Summary

Form: Spreading or horizontal, Upright or erect.

Physical Characteristics

Juniperus_sabina is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in leaf all year, in flower in April, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Sabina vulgaris.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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The young shoots are abortifacient, diuretic, emetic, powerfully emmenagogue and irritant[4, 7]. The plant is rarely used internally but is useful as an ointment and dressing to blisters etc in order to promote discharge[4]. The powdered leaves are also used in the treatment of warts[1, 4, 7, 21]. The shoots are harvested in spring and dried for later use[4]. Use with great caution and never during pregnancy[4, 21], see notes above on toxicity.

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Leaves are used as an insect repellent, a decoction of them is used against lice[46, 61]. An essential oil from the leaves and shoots has strong diuretic properties and is also used in perfumery[1, 61]. Yields of around 4% are obtained, this oil is also used as an insecticide[7]. A good dense ground cover plant, though it is slow to cover the ground[197]. The species type eventually forms a high ground cover, but there are many named forms that are lower-growing[208]. The sub-species J. sabina tamariscifolia has been particularly recommended[188]. Plants should be spaced about 1.2 metres apart each way[208]. The taller forms of this species make a good hedge[245].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Alpine garden, Erosion control, Ground cover, Massing, Rock garden. Succeeds in most soils if they are well drained, preferring a neutral or slightly alkaline soil[1, 11]. Prefers a limestone soil[1]. Succeeds in poor soils and in light shade[197]. Established plants are drought tolerant, succeeding in hot dry positions[200]. Tolerates maritime exposure[200]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are many named varieties[188]. All parts of the plant have a powerful pungent smell[245]. Plants can be dioecious or monoecious. Male and female plants must be grown if fruit and seed are required. The plant is sometimes attacked by a rust, this is a fungus with an aecidial stage on the leaves of pear trees[1]. Plants are resistant to honey fungus[88]. Special Features: Not North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is flat with shallow roots spreading near the soil surface [2-1].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

The seed requires a period of cold stratification. The seed has a hard seedcoat and can be very slow to germinate, requiring a cold period followed by a warm period and then another cold spell, each of 2 - 3 months duration[78, 81]. Soaking the seed for 3 - 6 seconds in boiling water may speed up the germination process[11]. The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Some might germinate in the following spring, though most will take another year. Another possibility is to harvest the seed 'green' (when the embryo has fully formed but before the seedcoat has hardened). The seedlings can be potted up into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow on in pots until large enough, then plant out in early summer. When stored dry, the seed can remain viable for several years[1]. Cuttings of mature wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, September/October in a cold frame. Plant out in the following autumn[1, 78]. Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months[78].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Iran, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation (Checheno-Ingushetia (south), Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia), Russian Federation (Gorno-Altay, Altay, Chita), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russian Federation (Primorye, Amur), China (Gansu Sheng, Heilongjiang Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Ningxia Huizi Zizhiqu, Qinghai Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu) EUROPE: Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation (Saratov, Volgogradskaja oblast), Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Italy, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France AFRICA: Algeria (north)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Juniperus sabina	Savine, Tam Juniper	Shrub	4.0	4-7	S	LMH	N	DM	0	2	4

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Juniperus_sabina - L.