Japanese garden juniper
Juniperus procumbens 'Nana'
Japanese garden juniper (Juniperus procumbens 'Nana') is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 1 ft tall and 4–6 ft wide, slow-growing, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Prostrate 6-12 inch carpet that cascades over boulders and retaining walls; a bonsai classic. Blue-green summer color takes a slight purple cast in winter.
Photos
- Photo 1: SEWilco, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 2: Littleinfo, Wikimedia Commons (PD)
- Photo 3: Ximenex (User:Xemenendura), Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–9
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- sandy, loam, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 1 ft tall and 4–6 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~6 ft apart (4 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
- No
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
Deep-water weekly the first two summers, then taper. Best on a slope or wall where water drains away; it sulks in wet clay.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Japanese garden juniper good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Japanese garden juniper is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Japanese garden juniper get?
- It matures to about 1 ft tall and 4–6 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Japanese garden juniper?
- Space Japanese garden juniper about 6 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 4 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Japanese garden juniper hardy on the Front Range?
- Japanese garden juniper is hardy in USDA 4–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Japanese garden juniper need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Japanese garden juniper grow?
- Japanese garden juniper is a slow-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Japanese garden juniper native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Japanese garden juniper deer-resistant?
- Japanese garden juniper is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Japanese garden juniper prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Japanese garden 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.
