Creeping Juniper vs Black Crowberry - TreeTime.ca

Creeping Juniper vs Black Crowberry

Empetrum nigrum

Juniperus horizontalis

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Black Crowberry
Creeping Juniper

Black Crowberry is a native evergreen shrub that forms low, spreading mats. It has unique foliage that spirals around the stem, and small dark berries, giving it visual appeal. The berries are edible, but can be acidic, so they are not generally eaten fresh. In colder climates, the berries develop a sweet-tart flavor and are often dried or used in desserts, jams, and jellies.

This hardy shrub provides food for birds and mammals, while its flowers attract pollinators such as bees. It also serves as a host plant for certain butterflies and moths. Together, these roles make it a key contributor to the health of tundra and boreal ecosystems.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the berries are known locally as ‘blackberries’ and are enjoyed in jams, jellies, and traditional baked goods such as buns and puddings. In Scandinavia, they continue to be used in liqueurs, wines, and juices.

Creeping Juniper is a low maintenance, spreading, ground cover shrub capable of growing in some of the worst soil and rocky conditions.

You will love this shrubs' pleasant fragrance and year-round color. A beautiful accent or foundation plant, Creeping Juniper has scaly foliage and is commonly used by landscapers to add texture under trees or flower beds. Consider planting Creeping Juniper in areas where grass is difficult to mow or maintain.

Black Crowberry Quick Facts

Creeping Juniper Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.2 m (0.5 ft)
Height: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Spread: 0.4 m (1.3 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: low growing, matt-forming
Spreading: rhizomes - medium, seeds - low
Suckering: none


Foliage: evergreen needle-like leaves
Fall colour: green
Flowers: pink-red, very small
Bloom time: late spring to early summer
Berries: purplish-black, edible
Flavor: bland, slightly bitter
Harvest: late summer to fall
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: crakeberry, curlewberry, heathberry, northern crowberry
Other Names: prostrate juniper