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Gerald L. Klingaman
Cupressaceae
Juniperus scopulorum
Rocky Mountain Juniper
Tough as the rugged American West, this juniper is the parent of many hybrid varieties that share its resilient nature. Rocky Mountain juniper, or Colorado redcedar, is a slow growing evergreen tree or shrub native to western American regions from Mexico to Canada. The most robust populations exist at higher elevations in the Rocky Mountain States and intermountain West, though specimens also exist at lower elevations and along the mountain foothills. It is most commonly associated with pinyon juniper woodlands and grows in rocky, semi-arid alpine soils associated with limestone and shale.
Habit and size depend on growing environment as well as genetics. Trees are bushy and irregularly pyramidal. Many cultivated forms have more regular habits better suited to the landscape. The fragrant, evergreen foliage of Rocky Mountain juniper consists of fine, blue-green or olive-green scales. This plant is monoecious, meaning separate male and female flowers are borne on the same plant. The pollen-bearing male flowers are inconspicuous and pollinate the female flowers, which develop into clusters of waxy, resinous, blueish berries. The berries mature in the fall or winter of the second year after pollination (a full eighteen months later!).
Full sun and sharply drained soil with average fertility is suitable for this tough juniper. Rocky, poor soils will even do as long as they’re on the neutral to alkaline side. Established plants can withstand extended periods of drought. There are lots of cultivars to choose from and many named varieties are male clones. This is a popular evergreen for naturalizing in arid natural areas. A well placed stand can serve as a valuable high desert wind break and privacy screen, and few trees work as well in western ranch settings.
7 - 1
3 - 7
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Needled or Scaled Evergreen
Full Sun
10'-50' / 3.0m - 15.2m
5'-20' / 1.5m - 6.1m
Spring
Western United States, Canada, Mexico
Neutral, Alkaline
Well Drained
Clay, Loam, Sand
Drought, Salt
Medium
Xeric/Desert, Drought Tolerant, Average Water
Pyramidal
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Insignificant
Blue, Gray Green
Green, Olive, Gray Green, Dark Green
Green, Olive, Gray Green
Brown
No
Yes
Fine
Matte
Exfoliating
Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Screening / Wind Break, Shade Trees
Birds
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