Low radiating crown
Main stems move outwards from the centre, creating broad cover with a gently raised heart.
Juniperus 'Andorra Compact' 17cm
Normal price
€13,50
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Juniperus horizontalis ‘Andorra Compact’
A juniper for anyone who cannot be bothered with clipping ✂️
- Dense spreading habit
- 0.1–0.5m high
- Bronze-purple in winter
- Very hardy
Juniperus horizontalis ‘Andorra Compact’ spreads a low, dense canopy on branches radiating from its centre. Fine side shoots give the grey-green foliage a soft, closely woven texture. Fresh spring tips bring lighter shades, while winter cold can introduce bronze and purple tones. Its appeal lies in this full, low outline and the subtle changes of colour that keep an evergreen planting interesting throughout the year.
Its gently raised centre and outward-flowing stems make it a natural bridge between upright shrubs, low perennials and mineral surfaces. Along a path, across a bank or between large stones, it draws separate elements into one calm composition and gives the garden a finished, established look.
What makes it special
A low framework of radiating stems with a dense plumose texture and a genuine colour shift in cold weather.
Plumose blue-green texture
Short lateral branchlets fill each tier and create a dense, finely worked surface.
Winter plum colour
Outer tips move from green to bronze-purple as temperatures fall, without shedding their foliage.
Why you will love it: it combines permanent cover, a crisp horizontal line and a seasonal colour transformation that needs no flowers to attract attention.
In the garden & on the balconyPlacement & plant combinationsGround cover and slopes · sun to light partial shade · mature spread 1.5–2 m in 10–20 years
A low spreading wave
Plant it in a rock garden, on a bank, at the front of a large border or in a broad container, allowing about 1.5–2 m between plants. Keep the crown level with the surrounding soil and avoid pockets where water gathers around its centre.
Green and plum
Its cool summer surface and winter bronzing gain depth beside silver foliage, violet flowers and warm gravel textures.
- Thymus serpyllum — a low flowering carpet that shares its preference for sun and drainage.
- Festuca glauca — upright blue tussocks contrasting with the horizontal stems.
- Hylotelephium ‘Herbstfreude’ — pink flower heads that darken with age, held above the evergreen layer.
Care at a glance
Light
Full sun for the densest habit and strongest winter colour; it tolerates light partial shade with a greener appearance.
Watering
Water deeply and regularly while it establishes; later, let the surface dry before watering again.
Climate & hardiness
Exceptionally cold hardy, with an RHS H7 rating; in warm climates its priorities are free drainage and a well-established root system.
Safety
Not intended for consumption; wear gloves if the resinous foliage irritates sensitive skin.
Detailed careComplete care guideEight practical points: Position, Watering, Soil, Feeding, Mulching, Pruning, Container growing, Safety.
Position
Provide abundant light and enough horizontal room for the radiating stems to develop without being crowded.
Watering
Water deeply through the first two summers, then reduce frequency as roots extend into the surrounding soil.
Soil
Use sandy, gravelly or moderately fertile soil with free drainage; avoid heavy soil that leaves the crown permanently wet.
Feeding
Apply only a mild evergreen feed in spring if growth is weak; excess nitrogen loosens the compact habit.
Mulching
Spread a thin layer of gravel or organic mulch around the plant, but never over the crown or into its dense centre.
Pruning
Remove dead tips and shorten only fresh green growth; do not cut deeply into bare old wood.
Container growing
Choose a broad, heavy pot with generous drainage holes and let the stems fall freely over the rim.
Safety
Wear gloves when pruning, wash exposed skin and keep cut material away from children and animals.
Development over timeHow it spreads and changes colourThree stages from bright spring tips to a broad summer layer and winter plum colour.
Bright green tips
New branchlets lengthen radially around the edge and stand out against the older foliage.
Broad blue-green layer
Lateral branching thickens the surface while the centre remains gently raised.
Bronze-purple winter habit
Cold weather warms the outer colour towards bronze and plum until spring returns.
Mature habit & dimensions
established mature plantHeight 0.1–0.5m in 10–20 yearsSpread 1.5–2 m in 10–20 yearsRadiating spreading crown
Main branches spread low from a gently raised centre. Short lateral shoots gradually fill out the horizontal canopy.
Form through time
two real statesEvergreen structureGreen to bronze-purple
Spring extensionBright tips open radially around the crown.
Winter bronzingCold brings plum tones without foliage loss.
The drawings show bright spring extension and the winter pigment shift without foliage loss.
What to expect after planting: The plant first establishes its roots at the centre; the stems then extend radially outwards. The cover widens far more than it rises, while every cool season temporarily adds bronze and purple tones.
History & originCultivar originA compact form of creeping juniper
‘Andorra Compact’ is a cultivated selection of Juniperus horizontalis, a North American species with low, spreading branches. The cultivar is distinguished by its denser canopy and bronze to purple winter tones. The cultivar’s original selector, selection location and creation date are not known with certainty.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScience nobody asked forBotanical details for anyone curious about what lies behind the plant’s appearance
Two leaf forms
Junipers of this type can carry both short scale-like leaves and sharper juvenile needles. The difference reflects leaf form on different shoots or at different growth stages, rather than two different plants within one canopy.
Roots from low branches
A low branch that remains in contact with suitably moist soil can develop adventitious roots. This natural layering allows the plant to gain additional anchorage points as its canopy spreads.
Frequently asked questions
Six specific answers about the identity, size, winter colour and management of Andorra Compact.
01Is it a cedar?
No. It is a juniper, specifically a cultivar of Juniperus horizontalis in the Cupressaceae family.
02How large does it become?
In 10–20 years, allow about 0.1–0.5m in height and 1.5–2 m in spread.
03Why does it turn purple in winter?
Bronze or plum colour is a normal response to cold and usually returns to green as spring growth begins.
04Does it prefer sun or shade?
Full sun gives the densest habit and clearest seasonal colour; it tolerates light partial shade, where it remains greener.
05Can it remain in a container?
Yes, provided the pot is broad, stable and freely drained, with room for stems to spread or trail.
06Does it need frequent pruning?
No. Trim only untidy green tips and remove dead sections, without cutting deeply into bare old wood.
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Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.