The palette of foliage colors ranges from yellow to silver-blue, to dark green.
Consider what your landscape needs before shopping for junipers so you’ll be sure to choose the best option.
ThisJuniperus communis’Arnold' is a dense, slow-growing, columnar, evergreen with blue-green leaves.
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The waxy cones ripen from green to blue-black.
For a pop of accent color, considerJuniperus confertaAll Gold.'
The stunning gold foliage pairs well with darker-leafed plants.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The shrub requires very little to no maintenance or pruning.
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For Privacy
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Junipers make great hedges or privacy screens.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
However, it’s important to select fast-growing forms and the right size for your planting area.
TheJuniperus virginiana’Taylor', seen here, is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3-9.
A faster-growing choice isJuniperus chinensis’Spartan' which reaches15 feet tall and five feet wide with a deep green color.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Because these shrubs are low-maintenance, they are the perfect choice for hard-to-reach areas.
Add a single or odd number of large tree-shaped junipers as focal points.
Then include junipers of different sizes and shapes for structure, textural interest, and year-round color.
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As a Container Plant
Juniper are a classic choice forcreating bonsai gardensthat can last decades.
However, junipers are also a good choice for containers to grace a patio or front entrance.
Slow-growing, dwarf varieties are the best choices for containers.
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For taller plants, confirm the pot is heavy enough to provide a sturdy base.
Select a winter hardy plant suitable for one or two USDA zones cooler than your location.
Use a moist, well-draining potting medium that is high in organic matter.
Water the juniper regularly and feed only during the summer with an all-purpose, slow-release fertilizer.
Juniper Care
Junipers preferfull sun to thrive.
When planted in shady areas, the plant will be less dense and more susceptible to disease.
There’s a variety of juniper for every pop in of soil as long as it is well-draining.
Even heavy clay soils can be amended with organic matter to support a healthy juniper.
Once established, junipers are drought-tolerant and seldom need supplemental irrigation.
They will suffer from root rot if over-watered.
Most junipers require little or no pruning except to remove dead foliage.
There are cultivars of junipers that will thrive inUSDA hardiness zones3a-9b.
The key is to pick the variety best suited for your growing zone.
The others can be controlled with pesticides.
Problems typically arise when the plants are overwatered or planted in a spot that is too shady.
Junipers.University of Georgia Extension.
