Taylor Juniper

Taylor Juniper (Juniperus virginiana ‘Taylor’) Care Guide

Overview:
Taylor Juniper is a narrow, upright cultivar of eastern red cedar, prized for its columnar form, cold-hardiness, and relatively low maintenance needs. It’s often used as a vertical accent, privacy screen, or windbreak in landscapes. 

1. Planting & Growing Conditions

• Hardiness Zone: Zones 4–9 

• Mature Size: Can reach 15–20 feet tall, with a width of about 3–4 feet 

• Light Requirements:

  • Best performance in full sun (6–8+ hours daily). 

  • In shade, foliage may become sparse or lose its richness. 

• Soil Requirements:

  • Prefers well-drained soils—the plant does not tolerate wet, soggy ground. 

  • Adaptable to a range of soil types (loam, sandy, even lean soils) as long as drainage is good. 

  • Best results when soil pH is slightly acidic to neutral (below pH 7.0). 

• Spacing: Allow enough space for the mature width and airflow—spacing of 3–4 ft apart is reasonable for hedges or screens.

2. Watering & Establishment

• In First Years:

  • Irrigate weekly during the first two growing seasons (especially in dry periods) to help roots establish. 

  • Use a slow, deep watering method, as roots can be shallow. 

• Once Established:

  • Very drought-tolerant; supplemental watering needed only during prolonged dry spells. 

  • Always avoid waterlogging.

3. Fertilizing

• Generally, no fertilizer is strictly needed if the soil is moderately fertile. 

• If desired, a slow-release fertilizer formulated for evergreens can be applied in spring. 

• Avoid over-fertilization, particularly high nitrogen formulas, which may promote excessively soft growth.

4. Pruning & Maintenance

• Pruning Time: Late winter to early spring, before growth resumes. 

• How to Prune:

  • Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches to maintain good form and airflow. 

  • Taylor Juniper is naturally columnar; it typically does not require shaping or heavy pruning. 

  • Avoid cutting into bare wood (old growth) because junipers may not regenerate well from deep cuts.

• Maintenance: Minor clean-up (removing broken branches, thinning if dense) should suffice in most years.

5. Foliage, Seasonal Interest & Wildlife

• Foliage: Dense, scale-like bluish-green to gray-green foliage that remains year-round.

• Form: Upright, columnar, with a tidy, narrow silhouette.

• Wildlife Use: Offers cover for birds; seeds (cones) may attract wildlife in small amounts.

6. Pests & Diseases

• Common Pests: Bagworms, mites, scale insects — monitor and treat as needed. 

• Diseases:

  • Resistant to cedar-apple rust and other common juniper diseases, which makes it desirable in mixed landscapes. 

  • In humid or poorly drained environments, root rot or fungal issues may arise—important to ensure good drainage.

  • Browning foliage in new plantings can sometimes be due to stress, transplant shock, or inadequate watering. 

7. Winter & Cold Protection

• Cold-hardy; does not typically require special winter protection in its suitable zones.

• In extremely exposed or windy sites, a light mulch or windbreak can help protect young evergreens from desiccation.

8. Landscape Uses

Vertical accent or screen in tight spaces
Privacy hedge or windbreak when planted in a row
Architectural focal point in formal or modern landscapes
Use where a narrow, upright evergreen is desired without the bulk

Photo from thetreefarm.com