Common juniper
Juniperus communis
Common juniper (Juniperus communis) is a Colorado-native shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 2–4 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide, slow-growing, needs low water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. A foothills and montane native that dislikes hot, enclosed urban sites and wet clay. Give it drainage, air movement, and a little afternoon shade at lower elevations, and never shear it.
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Juniperus communis
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 2–4 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~10 ft apart (7 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 2–7
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- sandy, loam, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Pollinator value
- low
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Native ecoregion
- foothills, montane
Common problems on the Front Range
- Spider mites in heat
- Phomopsis and Kabatina tip blight
- Cedar-apple rust alternate host
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Planting & establishment
Buy container-grown stock and deep-water weekly the first two summers; wild plants transplant poorly. Needs no water once rooted in a well-drained site.
- Fruit: wildlife (birds/wildlife).
Frequently asked questions
- Is Common juniper good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Common juniper is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Common juniper get?
- It matures to about 2–4 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Common juniper?
- Space Common juniper about 10 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 7 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Common juniper hardy on the Front Range?
- Common juniper is hardy in USDA 2–7. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Common juniper need?
- It needs low water once established.
- How fast does Common juniper grow?
- Common juniper is a slow-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Common juniper native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Common juniper deer-resistant?
- Common juniper is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Common juniper prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Common juniper can be affected by spider mites in heat and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
