Taylor Juniper

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

15-20 Feet

Mature Spread

20-25 Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 9

Taylor Juniper is a narrow evergreen that provides height in a tight footprint. It grows about 15 to 20 feet tall and only 3 to 4 feet wide, so it gives privacy, structure, and winter color without eating up the whole side yard. Its blue-green foliage stays dense and upright for screening driveways, entries, and slim border spaces. We often recommend Taylor Juniper when a customer wants the look of Italian cypress but needs something much tougher for colder climates.

Juniperus virginiana 'Taylor' is a selection of Eastern red cedar, which explains its toughness in drought, poor soil, wind, and cold. Deer tend to leave the aromatic foliage alone, and the strong central leader helps it handle snow better than many softer conifers. Because it stays so vertical, it works beautifully as a privacy screen, a repeating accent along a fence line, or a pair of living pillars at an entry. It is also a smart choice for urban and dry-site plantings where broader evergreens can become difficult to manage.

Taylor Juniper Care

Plant Taylor Juniper in full sun in well-drained soil with acidic, neutral, or slightly alkaline pH. It adapts to clay, loam, sand, and shallow rocky ground, but it does not want constantly wet roots. Give it the brightest spot you can, since strong light keeps the habit tight and the color at its best.

Water deeply during the first growing season so the root system can settle in, then let the soil dry somewhat between soakings. Once established, this juniper is notably drought tolerant and usually needs extra water only during extended dry periods. Fertilizer should be used sparingly, if at all, because rich feeding can lead to growth that is looser than this plant’s natural form.

Pruning is rarely necessary beyond removing an occasional dead or damaged branch. If shaping is needed, do it lightly in late winter or early spring and avoid cutting hard into older bare wood. Mulch around the base to reduce weed competition and help moderate soil moisture, but keep mulch away from the trunk.

Taylor Juniper Spacing

Space Taylor Juniper 3 to 4 feet apart for a dense screen, or farther apart so each plant can stand on its own as a vertical accent. For containers, choose a heavy pot at least 24 inches wide and deep so the root system has room and the tall form stays stable.

Plant Taylor Juniper with catmint and roses for a clean upright backdrop that softens beautifully with flowering companions at the base. In large containers, use alyssum and verbena beneath it to keep the planting bright and airy without competing with its strong outline.

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