Juniperus (Junipers)

Junipers are aromatic, coniferous trees and shrubs that are native around the globe in the northern hemisphere. They are in the Cypress family, and they often have two types of foliage, and woody, leathery, or berry-like cones. The juvenile foliage of many junipers consists of short, pointed needles that develop into sprays of small, overlapping scale-like foliage at maturity. Some junipers, however, keep their juvenile foliage through maturity. In addition to ornamental use, Juniperus virginiana, or Eastern Red Cedar, is the rot-resistant timber of choice for cedar construction as well as for aromatic, moth-repelling cedar chests and cedar closets, and juniper berries are used to flavor gin. Junipers can grow in a variety of types of soil as long as they are well-drained, and they need either full sun or light shade to keep their shape and thrive.

Depending on the species and variety, junipers can be columnar or pyramidal trees, low-growing shrubs, or flat, ground-hugging mats. Cultivars have also been selected for their show-stopping colors — green, blue-green, blue, or yellow-gold. There are many shapes, sizes, and colors of junipers to choose from for any landscaping location.

Junipers are known as hardy plants that will do well in USDA hardiness zones 3-4 up to zones 8-9. Take into consideration the shape of juniper that you would like, whether an upright tree, a shrub, or a groundcover, and think of the colors that you would like to blend into your garden.