Colorado Juniper
Colorado juniper is also known as Rocky Mountain juniper. The long lived plant is recommended for zones 4 through 10.
It isn’t suited to humid or wet regions. Under such conditions, the plant is rather prone to disease and pests.
The plant is native from Canada to parts of the West, including Colorado, Texas and Arizona. It occurs on rocky exposed hills of the West and along the coast. This tree also thrives in the Plains.
Colorado juniper has been planted for windbreaks and screens in the West and Midwest.
Description of Colorado Juniper
This is typically an oval columnar or pyramidal, dense slow growing tree. It is relatively low growing in its native habitat. The short trunk can divide close to the ground level.
The tree can eventually reach 30 to 40 feet in height although it is typically 10 to 20 feet tall. The shape of the tree is partly determined by the habitat it is growing in.
Many forms of the Colorado juniper can be found at nurseries and garden centers. A weeping form of the Colorado juniper is readily available.
The brownish-red bark tends to shed. Like some other evergreens, the Colorado juniper can have two types of leaves. One of those is needle-like, while the other is scale-like.
The needles can range in color from silvery-blue or blue to greenish-blue. The trees with the blue needles are quite popular.
The yellow blooms appear in the spring. The blue fruits are 1/3 inch wide, and have a whitish bloom. These ripen the second year in the fall.
Growing Colorado Juniper
This tree is recommended for privacy screens, shelterbelts, and windbreaks in exposed open areas. It can withstand dry hot summers in its native region.
Colorado juniper does best in full sun. The soil must be well drained. The is adapted to all soil types.
It is tolerant of a wide range of pH levels from acid to alkaline. This plant is tolerant of rocky poor soils and dry sites.
Once this becomes established, it can survive on very little water. This is quite drought tolerant.
Colorado juniper can be trained as a single or multiple trunk tree. A number of varieties are readily available.
Colorado juniper can experience bagworms in some areas. In addition, a twig blight can also occur in some areas.
It isn’t suited to humid or wet regions. Under such conditions, the plant is rather prone to disease and pests.
The plant is native from Canada to parts of the West, including Colorado, Texas and Arizona. It occurs on rocky exposed hills of the West and along the coast. This tree also thrives in the Plains.
Colorado juniper has been planted for windbreaks and screens in the West and Midwest.
Description of Colorado Juniper
This is typically an oval columnar or pyramidal, dense slow growing tree. It is relatively low growing in its native habitat. The short trunk can divide close to the ground level.
The tree can eventually reach 30 to 40 feet in height although it is typically 10 to 20 feet tall. The shape of the tree is partly determined by the habitat it is growing in.
Many forms of the Colorado juniper can be found at nurseries and garden centers. A weeping form of the Colorado juniper is readily available.
The brownish-red bark tends to shed. Like some other evergreens, the Colorado juniper can have two types of leaves. One of those is needle-like, while the other is scale-like.
The needles can range in color from silvery-blue or blue to greenish-blue. The trees with the blue needles are quite popular.
The yellow blooms appear in the spring. The blue fruits are 1/3 inch wide, and have a whitish bloom. These ripen the second year in the fall.
Growing Colorado Juniper
This tree is recommended for privacy screens, shelterbelts, and windbreaks in exposed open areas. It can withstand dry hot summers in its native region.
Colorado juniper does best in full sun. The soil must be well drained. The is adapted to all soil types.
It is tolerant of a wide range of pH levels from acid to alkaline. This plant is tolerant of rocky poor soils and dry sites.
Once this becomes established, it can survive on very little water. This is quite drought tolerant.
Colorado juniper can be trained as a single or multiple trunk tree. A number of varieties are readily available.
Colorado juniper can experience bagworms in some areas. In addition, a twig blight can also occur in some areas.
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