Common juniper
Juniperus communis
Common juniper (Juniperus communis) is a Colorado-native shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 2 to 4 ft tall and 6 to 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.
Photos
- Photo 1: no rights reserved
- Photo 2: (c) William Stephens, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: (c) Syd Cannings, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 2 to 7
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- sandy, loam, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 2 to 4 ft tall and 6 to 10 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~10 ft apart (7 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Slow
What it looks like, and when
- Foliage
- Evergreen
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- foothills, montane
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Ignitable (CSU): keep 30+ ft from the house, thinned
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 to 4 ft tall and 6 to 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 to 7. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 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 a good firewise plant near the house?
- Common juniper is listed by CSU Extension among the more ignitable plants, so keep it 30 or more feet from the house and keep it thinned and well maintained. This is general guidance based on CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- 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.
