Juniper, Rocky Mountain
Juniperus scopulorum
Cupressaceae - Cypress
Description
Leaves: Awl-shaped or scale-like; pressed close to the twig; not arranged in overlapping pairs; variable in color; retains blue-green color in winter; evergreen.
Twigs/buds: Twigs slender, older twigs red-brown and nearly glabrous; bark peeling off; finest twigs covered by foliage. Buds very small; indistinct; not useful for identification purposes.
Flowers/fruit: Dioecious. Berry-like fruit takes two years to mature; nearly round; 1/4" to 1/3" in diameter; bright blue; often covered with a white coating; usually contains 2 seeds.
Bark: Brown to gray; fibrous; peels in narrow strips.
Wood: Soft; lightweight; light red heartwood with narrow white sapwood; see eastern redcedar for uses.
General: Occurs naturally from the western Great Plains throughout the Rocky Mountains and southwestern Canada, including Utah. Very drought resistant. Shade intolerant.
Landscape Use: Often used in windbreaks due to its toughness and retention of lower branches; also good for visual screens and foundation plantings. Many cultivars in the landscape trade with a wide variety of foliage colors; needs (and wants) very little water once established. Zones 3-7.
Cultivars: 'Blue Creeper', 'Blue Heaven', 'Blue Trail', 'Cologreen', 'Gray Gleam', 'Medora', 'Moonglow', 'Pathfinder', 'Skyrocket', 'Sutherland', 'Tolleson', 'Tolleson's Blue Weeping', 'Tolleson's Green Weeping', 'Welchii', 'Wichita Blue'.
Characteristics
General
Family | Cupressaceae - Cypress |
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Cultivar Availability | Yes |
Hardiness Zone | 3-7 |
Type | Conifer |
Utah Native | Yes |
Growth
Growth Rate | Medium |
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Mature Height | Medium |
Longevity | High |
Is Good Under Power Lines | No |
Crown Shapes | Pyramidal |
Ornamental
Bark | No |
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Fall Color | No |
Flowers | No |
Foliage | Yes |
Fruit | Yes |
Tolerance
Shade | Low |
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Salt | High |
Drought | High |
Poor Drainage | Low |
Alkalinity | High |
Transplanting | High |