Common Juniper

You have seen this juniper forming dense, sprawling mats on exposed ridges or reaching as erect, columnar forms in gardens. Common juniper's needle-like leaves, which remain sharp-pointed throughout the plant's life unlike most junipers, are the key to recognition. This tree holds a global distinction, being the circumpolar conifer with the largest natural range of any woody plant in the Northern Hemisphere, from the Arctic to temperate zones across North America, Europe, and Asia.

In Western Washington lowlands, common juniper tolerates poor, rocky soils and considerable drought once established, reaching 5-10 feet at maturity. Plant it on dry sites where few shrubs succeed, though it performs better east of the Cascades. Phomopsis twig blight and spruce spider mites can disfigure plants in humid seasons; ensure adequate air circulation and avoid irrigation to minimize disease pressure. Its hardiness to zone 2 makes northern seed sources valuable for harsh exposures.