Dwarf Black Juniper
Juniperus pseudosabina
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, China, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tadzhikistan, Uzbekistan
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Coniferophyta | - Conifers
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
- Genus:
- Juniperus
- Species:
- Juniperus pseudosabina
- USDA Symbol:
- JUPS2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 400 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Can resprout from base after low-intensity fire, but typically killed by severe fire. Fire historically limited juniper encroachment in rangelands.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to mountainous regions with sparse vegetation
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 90–180 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–120 days
- Notes:
- Juniper seeds have double dormancy requiring warm stratification followed by cold stratification. Germination is often erratic and may take over a year.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI