- Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)
- Height 2 Feet
- Width 3 - 4 Feet
- Growing Zones 2-7
Mowing the lawn on a stubborn hillside can be dangerous. Mow no more and let Tortuga™Juniperus communis do all of the hard work for you. This is the perfect low mounding evergreen groundcover that is tough as nails. Your four-season sea of green awaits. Literally, just plant it and watch it succeed with ease.
This plant is one of the toughest North American natives that reliably thrives year after year in the most extremes of cold and heat (hardy to zones 2 to 7b). Deer and rabbits are no match. Heat and drought are not an issue. It is even salt-tolerant, especially near sidewalks, hell strips, or near driveways where winter salt tends to wreak havoc. Experiment with this evergreen as a spiller in a container. If your feeling really spunky and unconventional, this turtle shrub is a formidable lawn replacement.
Tortuga Juniper Care
Versatile and adaptable plants are a necessity for any successful garden. There are a few important guidelines to follow to be successful with Tortuga™. This plant can thrive in both sun or part sun conditions. It will adapt to average to poor soil that is well-draining. Consistently wet soils are detrimental and can lead to root rot. Once established, it can take periods of drought without any ill effects. Fertilizing in the first year is not necessary, but every year after, fertilize in late Spring.
Every once in a while your shrub may need to be trimmed to keep it in line, but technically if it is spaced correctly then it does not need to be trimmed at all. Trimming back unhealthy yellowing or browning leaves may be an indication of dampness or fungal disease. Trim off the affected area and clean pruners between cuts to limit any spread of disease.
Tortuga Juniper Spacing
This Juniper can easily spread up to 36 to 48 inches. Ensure there is a gap of 3 to 4 feet between plants. These are slow-growing, so if you’re looking to fill in a large area faster, then space each plant 3 feet apart. The rule of thumb when planting juniper in any container is to make sure that the container is twice the width and depth of the rootball.
Tortuga Juniper Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-7 |
Plant Type: Shrub |
Sunlight Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun |
Mature Height: 2 Feet |
Mature Width: 3 - 4 Feet |
Plant Spacing: 3 - 4 Feet |
Growth Habit: Spreading |
Flower Color(s): None |
Seasonal Interest: Grown for Foliage |
Foliage Type: Evergreen |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Resists: Deer |
Tolerates: Heat, Drought, Salt |
Features: Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance, Native to North America |
Uses: Border Plant Container Edging Plant Groundcover Landscape Lawn Substitute Mass Planting |
Plant Brand: Proven Winners |
Botanical/Scientific Name: Juniperus communis 'SMNJCB' USPP 32,393, Can PBRAF |
- SKU:
- JUNTO
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts

2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts

#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts

#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons

#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons

#5 Pot
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

Best in Class Warranty
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
Arrival Guarantee
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Free 1-Year Plant Warranty
All bushes, perennials & trees come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.

Pre-Ordered Plants
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated Spring Shipping Schedule
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 24th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants Shipping Now
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.