Juniperus maritima

Native only to the headlands and islands from northwest Washington up to the Strait of Georgia area, this tree is quite special and rarely offered by anyone. (A good place to see it in the wild is Washington Park near Anacortes.) As recently as 2007, botanists separated it from the widespread J. scopulorum based on differences of genetics and ecology. The juvenile foliage is handsome and silvery, but quickly transitions to tiny scales on the adult growth, which is generally grey-green though there is some variation. Mature plants produce dark blue berries in fall which may attract birds. Although ancient specimens have exceeded 40' tall, it is a slow growing tree in the garden where one might plan on an eventual 15 - 25' tall and 2/3 as wide. It is very well suited to the Northwest dry garden, where it will prefer full sun, good drainage, and soil that is not too acidic. Our collections come from a disjunct, relictual occurrence of this species on the northeast slope of the Olympic Mountains where it is found on rocky outcrops.