Juniperus virginiana ‘Poyo’

Juniperus virginiana is a tough, widely distributed native evergreen tree with many outstanding attributes (see our listing for the species) and ‘Poyo’ is a dwarf, spreading cultivar which displays most of the attributes of the species, but answering a need for a shrub-like form. Since it is asexually propagated (is a clone), it’s shape is predictable — one attribute in which it differs from the species! Wider than it is tall, growth is largely horizontal with the same luxuriously dense foliage as the species, in a bright blue-green. An individual will grow to 3′ high x 4′ wide with a full center and gracefully arching branches. ‘Poyo’ is a clone of a female selection, so it displays the blue, waxy-fleshy and berrylike seed cones, sweet-tasting to birds, and resinous, ripening in September – October. ‘Poyo’ thrives in full sun and average to dry soil, on a sunny slope or as a foundation plant, wherever you want a beautiful and wildlife-friendly, short evergreen. Ours are from Sunlight Gardens in Tennessee. A “Plant of Promise’ at the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference along about 2005. Since selections do not have a natural plant distribution, the USDA distribution map linked below is for the species.