Chinese Juniper ‘Expansa Variegata’ (3L)

Chinese Juniper ‘Expansa Variegata’ *Juniperus chinensis* is a delightful evergreen shrub that adds year-round colour and interest to gardens. This particular cultivar catches the eye with its beautiful variegated leaves, which display lovely blue-green tones mixed with creamy white markings. The result is a bright, attractive appearance that really lifts the spirits. It grows as a low, spreading plant that creates thick ground cover, making it ideal for gardeners wanting something decorative yet practical.

This variety grows quite wide, reaching around 1.5-2 metres across, but stays quite short at just 30-60 cm tall after 10 years of steady growth. Its naturally low and spreading growth pattern suits many different garden situations. It works brilliantly on sloping ground, in rockeries, at the front of flower beds, or cascading over container edges. The needle-like variegated leaves provide constant visual appeal throughout the seasons and look fantastic when paired with darker foliage plants or positioned near pale stone or gravel.

This juniper really shines when it comes to adding brightness to your outdoor space. The variegated colouring brings a fresh, uplifting quality to planting displays. This characteristic proves particularly useful in our frequently overcast British weather, where it provides welcome brightness even when skies are grey. The low, mat-forming growth also contributes interesting texture and form to garden layouts.

Many gardeners pick ‘Expansa Variegata’ because it’s so reliable and tough. After getting established, it handles various soil conditions well and manages both drought and city pollution without complaint. This resilience makes it perfect for low-effort gardens or tricky locations where other plants might fail. It also resists most common pests and diseases, meaning you won’t be constantly tending to problems.

Chinese Juniper ‘Expansa Variegata’ suits gardeners wanting continuous colour and fuss-free ground cover. Its pretty foliage, spreading habit, and undemanding character make it a worthwhile choice for any garden.

Caring for Chinese Juniper ‘Expansa Variegata’ is straightforward, which is great news for gardeners. Plant it in a spot that gets full sun to partial shade – full sun will help maintain the best variegation. It prefers well-drained soil but can adapt to various soil types, including poor or rocky soils. Water regularly when it’s first planted to help it establish. Once settled, it’s very drought-tolerant and rarely needs watering except in prolonged dry spells. You don’t need to feed it often – a light application of slow-release fertiliser in spring is enough. Pruning isn’t usually necessary, but you can trim it lightly to maintain its shape if needed. Keep an eye out for any signs of browning or dieback, which could indicate stress. ‘Expansa Variegata’ is very hardy and can cope with winters without extra protection, even in exposed or coastal areas.

**Ultimate height**
0.5–1 metres

**Time to ultimate height**
10–20 years

**Ultimate spread**
2.5–4 metres