With some of its ancestors clocking in at ages in the millenia, Juniperus excelsa 'Stricta' is as historically interesting as it is ornamentally useful. 'Stricta' Spiny Greek Juniper, as it is known for its lineage leading back to Macedonia, is a striking columnar evergreen tree valued for its dense upright habit and rugged adaptability to challenging environments. After all, they didn't live for a thousand years on rocky, nutrient-poor mountainsides without seeing their fair share of environmental strife! Finely textured sprays of blue-green foliage maintain their evergreen appearance year-round, providing lush color to the landscape even in the heart of winter. Paired with its naturally narrow form, Juniperus excelsa 'Stricta' is ideal for screening, vertical accents, and space-conscious landscape applications. Unlike its blue-fruited American cousin J. virginiana, Juniperus excelsa 'Stricta' produces purplish-brown fruits with a glaucous bloom, although it does share the characteristic reddish-brown exfoliating bark that adds another element of visual interest throughout the year, but particularly in winter against the grey backdrop of the season. Thanks to its natural penchant for rocky, shallow soils with limited nutrients at odd elevations and exposures, 'Stricta' Spiny Greek Juniper is highly tolerant of drought, poor soils, wind exposure, and urban stressors once established. It should be considered for waterwise or xeric plantings where strong evergreen structure and minimal maintenance are priorities.

• Category: Woody Ornamentals
• Hardiness Zone: 5
• Height: 15 Feet
• Spread: 4 Feet