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Juniperus scopulorum

Rocky Mountain juniper

A pyramid-shaped evergreen conifer to a height of 15m with green-blue, scale-like leaves from which many garden cultivars have been bred. The bark is red-brown and the fruit is blue-black

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Ultimate height

Higher than 12 metres

Time to ultimate height

20–50 years

Ultimate spread

4–8 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained, Moist but well–drained

pH

Neutral, Alkaline, Acid

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Cupressaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten/skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Juniperus can be prostrate or erect, evergreen shrubs or trees with aromatic, scale-like or sharply pointed awl-shaped leaves, and small globose fruits
Name status: Correct
Plant range: W. Canada to N Mexico

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil. Junipers need little if any pruning. Useful in hot sunny sites

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, juniper scale and caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to phytophthora, canker and honey fungus. See also Conifers: brown patches

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