Juniperus scopulorum

Common Names

Rocky Mountain Juniper, Colorado Red Cedar, Western Red Cedar, River Juniper, Sabino, Cedro Rojo, Weeping Juniper

Summary

Rocky Mountain juniper is a western North American native evergreen conifer with a pyramidal to columnar habit, typically reaching 30–40 ft tall and 3–15 ft wide; bluish-green to silvery-blue scale-like leaves, reddish-brown bark, and blue-black berry-like cones; it is dioecious and long-lived (250–300 years), providing year-round structure and, in some cases, fragrant foliage; commonly grown as an ornamental, windbreak, privacy screen, or for reforestation.

Growth and cultivation: full sun and well-drained soils, tolerating chalk, clay, loam, or sand; drought-tolerant once established; hardy in USDA zones 3–7; deer and rabbits relatively resistant; propagation by semi-hardwood cuttings; maintenance minimal with little pruning; used for privacy screens, windbreaks, hedges, and specimen plantings; watch for cedar-apple rust and other juniper pests; ensure drainage and avoid prolonged wet conditions; cultivars exist such as Skyrocket and Wichita Blue.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

30-40 feet

Spread

3-15 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-7

Sunlight Requirements

Full sun.

Soil Type

Well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Spring (mid-April to mid-June)

Foliage Color

Blue-green foliage

Fall Foliage Color

No fall color change

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen needle

Growth Rate

Slow-growing

Seasons of Interest

All four seasons (year-round)

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds and butterflies