Juniperus scopulorum aka Rocky Mountain Juniper

Taxonomy

Juniperus scopulorum, commonly known as the Rocky Mountain juniper, is an upright, evergreen conifer native to western North America. It has silvery-blue foliage and is well-adapted to poor soil, heat, and drought conditions. This makes it an ideal choice for various landscaping purposes, such as being planted as a specimen in smaller gardens or as a barrier or screen when planted in rows. The Rocky Mountain juniper is a dioecious shrub or small tree that can reach heights of up to 10-13 (20) meters with a trunk diameter of up to 0.8-1 (2) meters. However, in cultivation, it is usually much smaller. Its conical crown starts from the base and becomes rounder with age. The bark is brown, and the young shoots are light or bluish green. The leaves are dark green, often with a bluish or grayish hue, and are predominantly scaly. They are opposite, ovate-rhombic in shape, and have a blunt apex. The needle-shaped leaves can grow up to 12 mm long and 2 mm wide. The pine berries are globular, dark blue with a blue bloom, and have a diameter of 4-6 mm. They ripen at the end of the second year and contain 2, rarely 3 ribbed reddish-brown seeds with a diameter of 4-5 mm.

Common names

Rocky Mountain Juniper, Rocky Mountain Red Cedar, River Juniper

How to care for Rocky Mountain Juniper

Difficulty

Rocky Mountain Juniper is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal attention, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Water

Rocky Mountain Juniper should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Rocky Mountain Juniper loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Rocky Mountain Juniper requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Rocky Mountain Juniper will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Toxicity

Ploi does not possess verified information regarding the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event that you, a member of your family, or a pet ingests plant material with an unclear toxicity level, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a medical professional.

Humidity

The Rocky Mountain Juniper does not necessitate supplementary humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their roots, rather than their leaves. Hence, the most effective way to supply humidity to your plants is by watering the soil.

Fertilizer

The growth of Rocky Mountain Juniper is gradual and it doesn't necessitate any additional fertilizers. Replacing the soil in its pot once a year should suffice to provide the plant with sufficient nutrition. It's important to keep in mind that plants derive their energy from the sun's rays, not fertilizers.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the plant as it grows upwards.

Region of origin

Rocky Mountain Juniper’s native range is the Northern Hemisphere.


More info:
Wikipedia