Juniperus communis

Juniper communis is a hardy evergreen small tree that forms a neat cone of grey-green foliage with fragrant juniper berries that have been the star of gin for decades. It is the berries from juniper communis that give gin its distinctive flavour. The flavour of the berries differs slightly depending on the conditions (soil, altitude, amount of rainfall, temperature etc) under which the plants are grown. Thriving in sun or part shade, the berries can take up to two years to ripen. When black and ripe the fruits have a leathery feel and a white ‘bloom’ or dust over them. This means junipers may have green ‘fruits’ or cones from the current season and ripe black cones from the season before. When ripe the fruits are highly aromatic, as is the whole plant.

Soil: Adapts to most soil types.
Conditions: Full sun or part shade. Frost and drought tolerant.
Size: Height 4m x width 1.5m