Juniper Plants for the Southwest
Juniper Plants for the Southwest are easy growing evergreen plants and or trees.  They are drought tolerant and mainly used for groundcover or ornamental landscaping for your home or business.  They are hardy to about -20 degrees F.  but are susceptible to spider mites in the southwest. We have here are Juniper plants and trees that will do well in warmer climates.
Spartan Juniper Tree (Juniperus chinensis) Evergreen ornamental tree that likes full sun and is drought tolerant once established usually by the third after initial planting. These majestic evergreen trees are normally used in formal topiary but can also be used to control street noise or nosey neighbors.
This conifer grows to about 15ft tall and 5ft wide. Does well in large containers, perfect for that grand indoor entrance. Will do great in the desert southwest. It can also be planted outdoors in full sun. They do require lots of water when first planted. Perfect for outdoor Christmas tree decoration.
Spartan junipers are an excellent choice for framing a front entrance. Their naturally narrow, columnar shape adds structure and elegance to any Southwest landscape. They also adapt well to container planting, but keep in mind that potted junipers dry out faster than those in the ground—so they will require more frequent watering and occasional fertilizing to stay healthy and vibrant.
In addition to their ornamental value, Spartan junipers serve a practical purpose. Their dense, upright foliage makes them an effective natural screen, offering privacy from neighbors and helping to reduce street noise. Whether planted in the ground or placed in decorative containers, they are a reliable, low-maintenance evergreen for year-round beauty and functionality.
. Read more about trees on “How to block neighbors’ view of my yard”.
USDA zones 4-9
Juniper Plants for Landscaping
The Moor-dense juniper (Juniperus sabina).  This Juniper grows about 2-3 ft. tall and 6ft. wide. Bright evergreen foliage. You can use this juniper in rock gardens and xeriscaping settings.
It is drought tolerant once established. It does well in the desert southwest. If you have erosion control problems then this is the shrub to use.
USDA zones 3-7
Landscaping with Juniper in the Southwest
Dwarf Japanese Juniper (Juniperus procumbens Nana) If you are looking for low evergreen ground cover this is it. Grows about 1-2 ft. tall and spreads over 6ft. wide.
Many landscapers use this juniper as ground cover. In winter the foliage will turn a bronze color. Use them for soil erosion or to add spacing between taller shrubs. Very little pruning or maintenance involved.
USDA zone 4-9
Prince Whales (Juniperus horizontalis ) This evergreen juniper is evergreen and it turns a purplish color during the winter months providing your landscape with more color. It grows to about 1 ft. tall and 10′ wide yes that is feet wide. You can see photos of this plant over at monrovia.com
The Witchita Blue (Juniperus scopulorum). This great-looking Juniper is great for a stand-alone tree. Â Plant several of them in a row for a great border wall. Â Click here for information on this Juniper tree.
The Western Juniper in the middle is neatly trimmed into a topiary landscape. A blue point Juniper just to the right. Both are drought resistant once established.
All juniper plants are susceptible to spider mites. Learn more about Insects and diseases on plants.
Check out our post for Cypress trees for the desert Southwest.
