Common Juniper
Juniperus communis
Also listed as Juniperus borealis, Juniperus vulgaris
Also known as Juniper, Mountain Juniper, Ground Juniper
Climate Match for your location
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A hardy, drought-tolerant evergreen shrub with feathery blue-green to gray foliage and small berry-like cones. Common juniper is excellent for rocky slopes, naturalized landscapes, and requires minimal maintenance once established.
Why grow it
Common juniper offers reliable performance across a wider range of soil conditions than many ornamental conifers, tolerating poor, rocky, and sandy substrates where other shrubs struggle. Its low stature and spreading habit make it useful for slope stabilization and erosion control, while its minimal fertilizer and water requirements once established reduce long-term maintenance compared to more demanding evergreens. The species is less prone to spider mite damage than some Juniperus selections, particularly in drier climates.
Watch out for
Young plants benefit from consistent moisture during their first growing season, despite the mature plant's drought tolerance; establishment takes longer than with faster-growing shrubs. Dense foliage can trap moisture and debris, potentially creating conditions favoring fungal issues in humid regions or poorly draining soils. Older specimens may develop woody, bare patches if pruned too heavily, since the plant does not reliably regenerate from old wood.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cupressaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Northern Hemisphere: Europe, Asia, and North America
Native to: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A hardy, drought-tolerant evergreen shrub with feathery blue-green to gray foliage and small berry-like cones. Common juniper is excellent for rocky slopes, naturalized landscapes, and requires minimal maintenance once established.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Common Juniper grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Common juniper offers reliable performance across a wider range of soil conditions than many ornamental conifers, tolerating poor, rocky, and sandy substrates where other shrubs struggle. Its low stature and spreading habit make it useful for slope stabilization and erosion control, while its minimal fertilizer and water requirements once established reduce long-term maintenance compared to more demanding evergreens. The species is less prone to spider mite damage than some Juniperus selections, particularly in drier climates.
Watch out for
Young plants benefit from consistent moisture during their first growing season, despite the mature plant's drought tolerance; establishment takes longer than with faster-growing shrubs. Dense foliage can trap moisture and debris, potentially creating conditions favoring fungal issues in humid regions or poorly draining soils. Older specimens may develop woody, bare patches if pruned too heavily, since the plant does not reliably regenerate from old wood.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cupressaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Northern Hemisphere: Europe, Asia, and North America
Native to: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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