![juniper tree juniper tree](https://www.thespruce.com/thmb/SG3FPwPcfnIkXlFgBfjSInT1uYs=/2468x1851/smart/filters:no_upscale()/GettyImages-599459512-b43c1346bf5d4a58aaab700269b68a12.jpg)
Its blue color is especially vibrant in colder weather, and it certainly lights up what can sometimes be a drab winter landscape.Ģ. A little about the Juniper tree Juniper grows naturally in Europe, Asia, and North America, both in mountainous areas up to heights of 2500m above sea level, and in milder habitats occupying uncultivated places, heaths, arid pastures, or bushes near marine areas. As the late Derek Spicer pointed out, this one does well in England, where moist air and frequent rainfall is the norm. Some species are also referred to as cedars. squamata is happiest with a bit more water than most. Junipers are small evergreen trees or bushes that are members of the cypress family. This bun-shaped juniper pictured above is hardly boring! While all junipers are reasonably drought-tolerant, J. With every size, from a low-shrub to a tall tree, Junipers will fit the needs for most. Note: unless otherwise specified, junipers tend to perform best in Zones 4-8 with reports of good performance in higher zones if the summers are not too humid. Juniper Trees are diverse, with between 50 and 70 subspecies. Their 'berries', which are actually seed cones with very fleshy, tight scales, were the original flavoring for gin. Junipers are members of the Cypress family and are native to Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. The cultivars are the plants that will give you the most bang for your garden buck, as they have been selected for smaller size, slower growth rate, and, many times, dramatic foliage. There are almost 60 species of junipers and about 400 cultivars. We see too many poor examples to believe that junipers can be an asset to the garden, indeed, at times even work as specimen plantings. They are often over-planted and under-cared for in commercial settings, and at best get dismissed as 'boring'. Junipers tend to be the Rodney Dangerfield of the garden: they get no respect. Additions to the International Conifer Register.