Why is my juniper turning brown in the middle?

Interior browning on established junipers is normal — it is the natural shedding of old interior foliage. Per University of Minnesota Extension, "some interior browning each fall is part of normal juniper growth and is not a sign of disease or stress." If browning extends to the branch tips on the exterior of the plant, that is abnormal and suggests Phomopsis, root rot, or bagworm damage.

Can I prune a juniper to keep it smaller?

Only within the green foliage zone. Per Clemson HGIC, you cannot hard-prune an overgrown juniper to half its size without killing the pruned branches permanently. If size control is needed, remove the plant and replace it with a smaller variety. Junipers should be selected based on their mature size, not planned for regular size reduction.

Are junipers deer-resistant?

Per Rutgers NJAES's deer resistance ratings, most junipers are "seldom severely damaged" — the strong aromatic oils in the foliage make them unpalatable to deer. In areas of moderate deer pressure, junipers are a reliable low-browse choice. Heavy deer pressure can still result in feeding on junipers, particularly in winter when other food is scarce.

Can I plant junipers under trees?

Not reliably. The shade and root competition from tree canopies exceeds what junipers can tolerate. Per Penn State Extension, junipers under tree canopy develop "thin, disease-prone growth" even if they survive. For shade groundcovers, consider vinca, pachysandra, or liriope instead.

Home/Plants/Juniper Care: Groundcover and Upright Forms

Species guide

Juniper Care: Groundcover and Upright Forms

Groundcover and upright Juniperus species are among the most drought-tolerant and site-adaptable landscape plants available, but they fail in shade and wet soil — this guide covers species selection, pruning limits, and Phomopsis blight management.

By Thomas Joseph Published 2026-06-11 Updated 2026-06-13 Reviewed by Thomas Joseph 7 min read

Juniper shrub with blue-green needle-and-scale foliage and small blue-gray berry-like cones, sharp focus — Juniper foliage showing its trademark blue-gray cones. Image: AI-generated reference.

Juniper types and species

The genus Juniperus contains roughly 60–70 species. In North American landscapes, most growers work with one of several categories.

Groundcover junipers

The low-spreading types, typically under 2 feet tall with a spread of 6–10 feet. The most widely planted are Juniperus horizontalis cultivars ('Blue Chip,' 'Bar Harbor,' 'Wiltonii' / blue rug) and J. sabina cultivars ('Tamariscifolia,' 'Calgary Carpet'). Per Penn State Extension, J. horizontalis is "native to northern North America and among the most cold-hardy of all groundcover plants, growing reliably in zone 3." Blue rug juniper reaches only 4–6 inches in height and spreads 6–8 feet.

Mid-size spreading junipers

Heights of 2–5 feet with wide spreading habits. Juniperus chinensis 'Gold Coast,' 'Pfitzeriana,' and 'Sea Green' fall here. 'Pfitzeriana' (Pfitzer juniper) reaches 4–6 feet tall and 8–10 feet wide — per Clemson HGIC, Pfitzer juniper "was once the most widely planted landscape shrub in America but is now out of favor because it outgrows most residential plantings within 10 years."

Upright columnar junipers

'Sky Rocket,' 'Blue Point,' 'Wichita Blue' (J. scopulorum and J. chinensis selections). Narrow, fastigiate forms 10–20 feet tall, often used as screen plants or specimen accents. Per University of Minnesota Extension, upright junipers are "among the most widely used screening plants in the upper Midwest due to their cold hardiness (to zone 3) and narrow footprint."

Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana)

The native juniper of eastern North America. Tree form, 30–65 feet, with dense scale-like foliage and blue-gray "berries" (actually fleshy cones) eaten by wildlife. Per Penn State Extension, eastern redcedar is "one of the most adaptable native trees in North America, growing in everything from poor rocky soil to moderate clay and from zones 2 to 9." Important wildlife plant. Alternate host for cedar-apple rust, which affects nearby apple and crabapple trees.

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