Juniperus scopulorum

Juniperus scopulorum (30/12/14, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Early spring

Soil: Moist, well-drained

Eventual Height: 6m

Eventual Spread: 3m

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Cupressaceae

Juniperus scopulorum Adult Leaf (30/12/14, Kew Gardens, London)

Juniperus scopulorum is a slow growing small evergreen tree with an upright habit. Its dark blue/ green leaves appear in the juvenile or adult form. Its juvenile leaves are needle like, up to 10mm long. Its adult leaves are scale like and up to 2mm long. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 30cm. Its brown/ gray bark is fibrous and peels in narrow strips. This plant is dioecious. The pollen cones are produced in early spring and are up to 4mm long. The seed cones are dark blue, berry like and are up to 1cm across.

Juniperus scopulorum, commonly known as the Rock Mountain Juniper or Weeping Rocky Mountain Juniper, is native to western North America and parts of Canada. In its native habitat it grows on rocky and eroded mountain slopes.

Juniperus scopulorum Berry (30/12/14, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Juniperus is derived from the old Latin name for the Juniper plant.  Scopulorum is derived from the Latin scopulus ‘rock’ or ‘boulder’, in reference to this plants native growing habitat.

The landscape architect may find Juniperus scopulorum useful as small evergreen tree. It is tolerant of urban pollution. It is particularly tolerant of hot sunny sites. Once established this tree is drought tollerant.

Juniperus scopulorum Bark (30/12/14, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically Juniperus scopulorum fruit are attractive to birds.

Juniperus scopulorum prefers a fertile, well-drained light soil. It will tolerate most pH of soil. It will not tolerate water logging.

Juniperus scopulorum requires little maintenance. Any necessary pruning should be carried out in spring or autumn.