What's eating my shore juniper?

Shore Juniper (Juniperus conferta) is a tough coastal ground cover but vulnerable to juniper scale and spider mites, which cause yellowing patches across the mat. Bagworms build cases and defoliate sections. In coastal areas, rabbits and deer browse low-growing mats. Root rot can be an issue in poorly drained soils rather than a pest.

Grey-white encrusted colonies on stems; foliage yellows and patches of the ground-cover mat die back; sooty mould may follow. Apply dormant horticultural oil before new growth; treat crawlers in late spring with insecticidal oil or systemic insecticide; remove heavily infested stems.

Dusty, bronze-toned foliage; fine webbing in dense growth; worst on sunny, dry coastal slopes in summer. Water regularly to reduce drought stress; spray neem oil or miticide over entire mat surface; repeat applications every 7–10 days until clear.

Camouflaged silk-and-debris bags hanging throughout the mat; larvae consume foliage inside, leaving bare stems. Hand-pick bags in winter; spray Bt at egg hatch in late spring; spinosad for larger larvae.

Browsing of low foliage strips mats to bare stems; rabbits gnaw stems near ground level; damage worst in winter when other food is scarce. Apply repellent sprays; install low wire fencing around young plantings; established dense mats recover more readily than young transplants.