Digging deeperPlant Library

Buffalo Juniper

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Description:

A common groundcover evergreen for home landscape and garden use; consistent bright green foliage all season long, low growing, wide spreading and densely branched, forms a mound; excellent in massing and groupings or as a groundcover

Ornamental Features

Buffalo Juniper is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the garden for its broadly spreading habit of growth. It has emerald green evergreen foliage. The scale-like sprays of foliage remain emerald green throughout the winter. It produces blue berries from late spring to late winter.

Landscape Attributes

Buffalo Juniper is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a ground-hugging habit of growth. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Buffalo Juniper is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Buffalo Juniper will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 7 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.