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colorful fall leaves of rhus aromatica
Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Lo’ (Fragrant Sumac) Photo © Mary Free
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Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Redcedar)

Male strobili of Juniperus virginiana
Female trees of eastern red cedar have bluish flowers in the spring and blue berry-like cones in the fall.
Birds eat the bluish, berry-like seed cones of Juniperus virginiana
Juniperus virginiana, Eastern Redcedar
Juniperus virginiana, Eastern Redcedar
Juniperus virginiana, Eastern Redcedar tree trunk and bark

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Juniperus virginiana Eastern Redcedar Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic Eastern Redcedar’s dense foliage provides excellent roosting/nesting cover for birds; and wildlife favor its fruit. This long-lived juniper, which is native to eastern North America,* was prized by Virginia colonists for its wood. Today, its wood lines closets and chests; its oils are distilled for use in fragrances; and its fruit gives gin its characteristic flavor. Tree Male/Female Flowers, Foliage, Fruit, Tree, Bark Height: 30–60 feet Spread: 8–25 feet Bloom Color: Yellow or Blue Characteristics Conical to columnar, evergreen conifer with horizontal branching; usually dioecious Foliage scale-like on mature twigs, prickly awl-like on young twigs (gray/blue/green may bronze in winter) Yellow-brown (male) or frosted blue-green (female) flower cones (strobili) at branch tips March to May Pale green turning dark blue, glaucous, berry-like, seed cones** July to March on female plants Stem often fluted; shredding, grayish, scented bark Attributes Tolerates most soil types, drought, heat, wind, salt, air pollution, and Black Walnut; no serious pests or diseases; deer seldom severely damage except for mature trees when food is scarce Winter interest; ethnobotanic uses Provides food and shelter for small mammals and birds; larval host to ~31 lepidopterans incl. Olive Hairstreak, Pine Elfin, and Imperial Moth Growing and Maintenance Tips Excellent Replacement for Soil Requirements: Average, well-drained Bambusa, Phyllostachys, Pseudosasa - Bamboo Light Requirements: Sun Juniperus chinensis - Chinese Juniper Water Requirements: Dry, Moist Taxus cuspidata - Japanese Yew To deter cedar-apple,-hawthorn,-quince rusts don’t grow near alternate hosts, e.g., apple, serviceberry Use as a specimen, tall hedge, or windbreak or in rain gardens larger than 150 square feet *In the Mid-Atlantic Region, it is native to DC and in all parts of PA except the northwest. It is common in DE, MD, and throughout VA except at the higher mountain elevations. **Fruits may be harmful if eaten. Hardiness: USDA Zones 2a-9b developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Elaine Mills, Native Plant Garden, The Nature Conservancy; private garden, Arlington; and Glencarlyn Garden

Tried and True Native Plant Selections 
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Redcedar)

Eastern Redcedar’s dense foliage provides excellent roosting/nesting cover for birds; and wildlife favor its fruit. This long-lived juniper, which is native to eastern North America,* was prized by Virginia colonists for its wood. Today, its wood lines closets and chests; its oils are distilled for use in fragrances; and its fruit gives gin its characteristic flavor.

*In the Mid-Atlantic Region, it is native in DC and in all parts of PA except the northwest. It is common in DE, MD, and throughout VA except at the higher mountain elevations. You can view the VA counties in which it has been reported here.

In mid-January, a flock of American robins descend on a non-native juniper to devour its fruit, important nourishment in winter when other food is scarce. The next day a lone robin returns to eat more of the berry-like cones. For highest overall wildlife impact, though, plant native Juniperus virginiana. Besides the numerous bird and mammal species it supports, 31 Lepidoptera species use it as a caterpillar host plant in Arlington, Virginia and environs according to entomologist Doug Tallamy.
Video © Mary Free

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets