Rocky Mountain Juniper
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Average mature size 30-40 tall and 3-15' wide, a narrow pyramidal tree, often with several main stems, dense in youth but opening up with age. Slow growth rate. Most cultivars of this species will average 6-12" per year.

Native Range

Species native to Alberta to Texas, westward to the coast of British Columbia and Washington, and to eastern Oregon, Nevada, and northern Arizona, on the dry, rocky ridges on the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Introduced 1836.

Flower and Fruit Details

Monoecious or dioecious flowers, male has 6 stamens (compared to 10-12 of J. virginiana). Cones nearly globular, to 0.33" across, dark blue, ripening in the second year, containing 2 triangular, reddish brown, prominently angled, grooved seeds.

Leaf and Bark Features

Evergreen: Scale-like foliage, varying in color from dark or light bluish-green to glaucous or light green. Reddish brown or gray bark, shredding but persistent.

Culture and Care

Withstands drought conditions very well, same requirements as other Juniperus. Zones 3-7. Susceptible to Phomopsis blight, canker caused by Botryosphaeria stevensii, and also serves as an alternate host for cedar apple rust.

Suggested Uses

Use as a screening hedge, background, or foundation plant.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA