Why does juniper smell like gin?

Gin gets its distinctive flavour from juniper berries, so the plant smells like gin because gin is literally flavoured with it. The word 'gin' is actually shortened from 'genever', the Dutch word for juniper.

Why is juniper declining in Britain?

It's a combination of problems working together. Sheep and deer eat young seedlings before they can establish, changing land management has allowed scrub to shade out juniper plants, small populations suffer from lack of genetic diversity, and a serious fungus-like disease called Phytophthora austrocedri is killing mature plants in some areas.

Where in Britain can you find wild juniper?

Scotland has most of it, particularly in the Highlands, but you'll also find it in northern England, Wales, and scattered across chalk downs in southern England. It grows on well-drained soils in open, sunny spots like downland, moorland edges, and limestone pavements.

Under Your Boots

Juniper: One of Three Native Conifers, and Quietly Declining

Juniper bushes smell like gin when you brush past them, grow slowly on limestone hillsides, and haven't reproduced successfully in many locations for decades. They're declining across Britain, but they're not the only native conifer—Scots pine and yew were here first too.

30 August 20268 min read