Specifically looking for differences between San Jose, shimpaku, Hollywood,
prostrata, Sargentii, needle, and procumbens.

Juniperus chinensis 'San Jose' left to itself has a rather wild & woolly
growth habit with both adult and juvenile foliage. When in training, the juvenile
foliage tends to predominate.
Juniperus chinensis 'Shimpaku' is naturally vase shaped, slow growing, needs
wiring forever, and has all scale (adult) foliage.
Some authorities consider Juniperus sargentii a separate species. Others
consider it a variety of Juniperus chinensis. 'Shimpaku' is essentially a cultivar
of Sargent juniper. There is some question whether "sargentii" is a
legitimate name. Ask a taxonomist.
Hollywood is another name for Juniperus chinensis 'Torulosa.' It has wildly
waving branches and needles on the new growth.
Needle juniper is a name usually given to Juniperus rigida, which has all
juvenile foliage.
Juniperus procumbens is a prostrate species with all juvenile foliage.
Juniperus squamata 'Prostrata' is very similar to J. procumbens, but has some
adult foliage. In this part of the country, it produces needles in the spring
and switches over to scale foliage in late summer. It is usually sold as J.
procumbens 'Nana' but is actually better and sturdier for bonsai.
Does this help?
Iris

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