Prickly juniper (cade) Juniperus oxycedrus
Prickly juniper (cade) (Juniperus oxycedrus) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Cupressaceae family, native to Mediterranean basin to Iran. It grows 2–8 m (6.6–26 ft) tall and 1.5–4 m (4.9–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart.
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Prickly juniper (cade) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cupressaceae |
| Mature height | 2–8 m (6.6–26 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–4 m (4.9–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 2.5 m (8.2 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Mediterranean basin to Iran |
| Common in gardens of | 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇫🇷 France, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇮🇱 Israel |
Is Prickly juniper (cade) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: berries, oil of cade
The tarry oil of cade, distilled from the wood, is toxic if swallowed; do not use the berries like culinary juniper.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Prickly juniper (cade)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Prickly juniper (cade)
- How far apart should I plant Prickly juniper (cade)?
- About 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–4 m (4.9–13 ft).
- Does Prickly juniper (cade) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Prickly juniper (cade) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Prickly juniper (cade)?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- Is Prickly juniper (cade) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. The tarry oil of cade, distilled from the wood, is toxic if swallowed; do not use the berries like culinary juniper.
- What grows well with Prickly juniper (cade)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Prickly juniper (cade). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Euro+Med PlantBase, Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin
Notes and assumptions
- A summer-dry plant: water it through its first summer, then rarely or never; it wants sun, lean soil and sharp drainage, and is killed by summer irrigation and heavy clay more often than by drought.
- A spiny, slow juniper of the garrigue with two white bands on each needle and reddish-brown berry cones. The tarry “oil of cade” distilled from its wood was used in medicine and to treat sheep’s skin.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Creeping juniper Juniperus horizontalis
- Leyland cypress x Cuprocyparis leylandii
- Hinoki cypress Chamaecyparis obtusa
- Dawn redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides
- Bald cypress Taxodium distichum
- Eastern red cedar Juniperus virginiana
- Northern white cedar (arborvitae) Thuja occidentalis
- Common juniper Juniperus communis