Savin juniper
Juniperus sabina
Savin juniper (Juniperus sabina) is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 1 to 3 ft tall and 6 to 10 ft wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Workhorse spreading juniper of Front Range commercial landscapes and road medians. 'Broadmoor' is the classic tough bank cover; most cultivars resist tip blight. Resinous foliage: not for beds against the house.
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Иван Пристрем, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Jens-Christian Svenning, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: (c) Stanislav Murashkin, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3 to 7
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- sandy, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 8.5
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- high
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control, Hot south- or west-facing walls
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 1 to 3 ft tall and 6 to 10 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~10 ft apart (7 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Moderate
What it looks like, and when
- Foliage
- Evergreen
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- No
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
Deep-water weekly the first two summers. Established plants need little to no supplemental water; soggy clay invites root rot.
- Pruning: light.
- Fruit: wildlife (birds/wildlife).
Frequently asked questions
- Is Savin juniper good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Savin juniper is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Savin juniper get?
- It matures to about 1 to 3 ft tall and 6 to 10 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Savin juniper?
- Space Savin juniper about 10 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 7 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Savin juniper hardy on the Front Range?
- Savin juniper is hardy in USDA 3 to 7. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Savin juniper need?
- It needs low water once established.
- How fast does Savin juniper grow?
- Savin juniper is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Savin juniper native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Savin juniper a good firewise plant near the house?
- Savin 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 Savin juniper prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Savin 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.
