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This category of “low junipers” is often either not pruned or pruned incorrectly.

Not pruning can result in run-away growth where these junipers outgrow their space.

Incorrect pruning can alter the plant’s natural growth habit and cause it’s health to decline.

How Do They Naturally Grow?

This is the first thing to ask yourself before pruning.

The cuts you make should support the natural growth habit and shape of the plant.

Low, spreading junipers naturally want to grow horizontally and get much wider than tall.

Their branches shoot out; instinctively wanting to dominate and get longer (this is known as apical dominance…you don’t really have to know this).

In a wide open space where you’re looking for maximum coverage, this growth habit is ideal.  In these circumstances you can allow the plant “to do its thing”.

Often, however, low junipers are used in limited spaces.   If left unchecked, they’ll out-grow that space and, well…the solutions to that are not pretty.

Selectively Prune

Selective pruning, as you might imagine, is time consuming.  As the name implies you are selectively choosing where on the plant to make each cut.

There is no power equipment that significantly automates this process.

There are some people that “shear” these plants with power shears.  That’s incorrect and a disaster as it turns them into manicured shapes and promotes dense growth only on the ends of the branches.

In the second picture above I’m choosing branch ends that are growing noticeably faster and longer.  I then move down the branch to a point within the secondary, older growth – and make the cut.

This is done throughout the plant.  Try to work from one area out and not jump around randomly.

Always be conscious of the plant’s natural shape. Step back occasionally to check  your work and adjust your cuts if necessary.

The picture at the top of the article shows a newly planted Juniper ‘Parsoni’.  Some of the branch ends are starting to “grow-out” on their way to becoming dominant.

This pruning season I’ll begin to selectively prune it to keep it under control and maintain the natural look.

This last picture is a low, spreading juniper that was just “selectively” pruned.  Most of the long ends have been pruned back, and the natural shape preserved.

Your low, spreading juniper will have a long, beautiful life if you prune them “selectively”.  Of course,  remember how equally important spacing them correctly is when planting.

71 Comments
  • Linda Wagner
    3:05 AM, 23 September 2011

    The inside of my spreading junipers is all brown and dead looking, and only the ends of the branches, which show, are green. Should I be pruning off the dead stuff? Is it an invitation to bugs and/or fungus?

    Thanks.

    • Roger
      9:41 PM, 24 September 2011

      Hi Linda,
      Sometimes when juniper are sheared rather than selectively pruned, the growth becomes so dense and concentrated at the ends of the branches that the interior of the plant browns. And, of course, very old and mature plants will get this way too – they become large and the interior is just naturally shaded.

      You could clean out (prune) some of that interior brown and “twiggy” branching – it would make for a healthier environment in the sense that more air circulation and perhaps some additional light could get in there.

      If you see browning or other discoloration on the exterior growth that could mean an insect or disease problem. Juniper blight (a disease) can be found on certain types of juniper, especially if they are under regular irrigation and are kept too wet. Even a wet, rainy season could cause a blight to take hold. If you see this happening on the exterior growth, perhaps you could bring a sample piece to your local garden center, or send a sample to your county agricultural extension service.

  • Doug
    12:25 PM, 22 January 2012

    My junipers have grown to high. 4 feet. I understand what you have asked above but if I cut back 1 to 2 feet( 2 feet preferred) all green will be gone. I live in north Florida. Today is sunny and 75 degrees. Could have 1-3 more frosts this winter. By march 1 no frosts. I have junipers like in your picture. Can I cut back 2 feet now and expect new growth in spring?

    • Roger
      2:35 PM, 22 January 2012

      Hi Doug,
      If your juniper are 4′ high they would be different from the type I’m talking about in this article. But it doesn’t matter regarding your situation because the same principle applies to most junipers where your considering dramatic cuts (like you’re planning).

      If you cut below where there is existing foliage it’s unlikely the bare stem will rejuvenate and produce new foliage. Therefore, your most extreme cut should always leave some juniper foliage.

      I’m guessing this will not lower the juniper enough for your situation. If that’s the case you might just consider removing them and replacing with a better plant selection, i.e. one that will not mature beyond the height and width you need.

      In the article I’m referring to “low junipers”. This category typically does not exceed 2′ in height. Varieties such as Parsoni, San Jose, Blue Star, etc. fall into this category. Someone at a local garden center that’s knowledgeable could show you their selections that meet the “mature” size requirements you’re looking for. Alternatively you could shop anywhere (even Home Depot, Lowes), take note of the varieties they have and then look them up on the internet for accurate descriptions before purchasing.

  • Kiran
    3:46 PM, 21 May 2012

    We moved into house where there are 2 very old junipers that have beautiful, thick lower trunks, but the greenery has been sheared to look like puff balls. Would love to send you a photo because we are desperate to get these back to a natural shape and growth habit. Not sure how to accomplish this. Any suggestions would be apprecieated!

    Thanks!

    • Roger
      6:53 PM, 21 May 2012

      Kiran,
      If you could send me a picture that would be helpful. Do you know how to send a digital picture by email? You can send it to roger@landscapeadvisor.com.

      I’d be interested to see how developed this juniper is as a topiary. I also have several other questions that a picture would answer for me (e.g. type & variety of juniper, size, etc.)

  • Carol Ann Travis
    4:07 PM, 7 March 2014

    what is the name of the juniper whose picture headlines this article?

    • Roger
      8:49 PM, 8 March 2014

      Carol Ann,
      The juniper pictured at the top of the article is Juniperus davurica ‘Parsoni’. I use this particular variety a lot.

      Make sure to give it room to grow — It can get 6 to 8′ wide. The mature height is around 24″.

  • Patrick
    8:03 AM, 23 April 2014

    Roger, help… my horizontal junipers are all brown from tip to about 12 inches into the plant. I have noticed neighbors also have this problem but not all junipers.. We had a very hard winter this year in Minnesota. Could this be “winter burn”? and what should I do about the brown sections. Thanks

    • Roger
      11:31 PM, 29 April 2014

      Patrick,
      It could possibly be winter damage, but could also be insect or disease damage. Do you remember the juniper looking this way in the fall?

      The only way to be sure, and the way that I would approach this, would be to send a sample to your Minnesota Agricultural Extension Service.

      I use the one here in NJ all the time to get accurate diagnoses. Otherwise you don’t know for sure what the condition is and how to treat it (if treatment is an option).

  • Donna
    3:59 PM, 18 September 2014

    I think I have 4 of the San Jose variety in my yard. They are around 40 years old, about thigh high and had branches that looked like tentacles spreading out. Someone who was helping with yard work cut the tentacles off. Now I see lots of brown underneath. I think it may be only the tips that are green. I am in California and we are having a drought this year so they also haven’t been watered much. Our mobile home park manager is telling me I need to trim all the underneath brown off so they will sit above the ground and look better. I am afraid this will kill them if the previous cut didn’t begin the job. Do you think my plants are goners or is there still hope?

    • Roger
      11:28 PM, 18 September 2014

      Donna,
      It’s hard to give an accurate recommendation on this w/o seeing them. But junipers like this can live on forever regardless of what people do to them.

      I have seen older shrubs elevated where the lower, half-dead branching is removed. And it can “sometimes” create an interesting look. Removing the lower branching could help direct energy into the upper plant that was pruned back – this could actually help the upper plant recover.

  • Don Grove
    11:34 AM, 1 February 2015

    Hi Roger
    We have steep slope of red clay in East Tennessee. This is fresh dirt from excavation for the foundation of our house. We want to hold the bank together. Does the Parsoni Juniper develop a deep and strong root system? Could we plant them about 3′ apart to get coverage as soon as possible and then just prune to keep them in line as they spread? Do we need to amend the red clay for these Parsoni or similar Juniper ground cover to thrive? Thanks for your help. Regards, Don and Barbara

    Will send a picture to roger@landscapeadvisor.com

    • Roger
      5:17 PM, 3 March 2015

      Don,
      Parsoni Juniper is listed as a “clay-tolerant” plant. Juniper ‘Gold Star’ and Juniper ‘Old Gold’ are 2 others you might consider.

      These junipers will spread and cover the slope, but their root system is more fibrous and shallow – and that’s fine for general cover on not too steep, stable slopes. But if your slope is fairly steep and unstable, you might consider integrating with the juniper some more deeply rooted plants. For example: Spreading Yew (Taxus densiformis), Viburnum (many varieties to choose from), even forsythia. You could even incorporate some (clay tolerant) flowering trees, such as: Crabapple (many varieties to choose from) and Japanese Stewartia.

      Intersperse these more deeply rooted plants among the junipers so their roots penetrate deeper and ensure the slope is better stabilized throughout.

  • colleen
    9:49 AM, 14 March 2015

    We just purchased a home that was vacant for 3 years There is beautiful juniper groundcover around the perimeter of an inground pool that is VERY overgrown I love the look but it definitely needs to be cut back a lot When I selectively prune, I end up with alot of brown branches. Is it possible that these branches could bloom in the spring or is it more likely that these plants are too far gone. They look awful right now but I would hate to pull them all put of there is hope. Thoughts?

    • Roger
      12:31 PM, 14 March 2015

      Colleen,
      Junipers are conifers and will not likely re-bud from older wood. Any cuts you make where you hope to encourage new growth should be made at points where there is foliage and/or actively growing stems.

  • Sarah Osborne
    12:35 AM, 19 July 2015

    We have several small prostrate junipers around our condo that have been severely damaged by dog urine. I have removed them from the beds and am hoping to revitalize them in their new (dog-free) home. Should I remove the damaged branches? The brown areas are in the center of the plants – the ends of the branches are healthier.

    This are young plants, less than 3 years old. Is it worthwhile to just cut them back completely? From my reading, it sounds like this strategy does not work with junipers.

    Any advice you can give would be appreciated.

    • Roger
      10:48 PM, 20 July 2015

      Sarah,
      I would let the juniper recover pretty much as they are. You could just cut back the tips of each branch a bit (1 inch perhaps). This will send a message to the plant to push new growth from the sides of the existing branches, rather than at the ends.

  • Kate
    12:28 PM, 17 August 2015

    I have inherited several large junipers that have taken over the sidewalks (probably half the sidewalk is blocked by the juniper). I need to clear the sidewalk but don’t want to do lasting damage to the junipers. It is late August in Colorado. Can I still trim them back or do I have to wait until Spring?

    • Roger
      9:10 PM, 17 August 2015

      Kate,
      You can trim them back now (late August).

      It sounds like you’ll need to make some fairly aggressive cuts to clear the walkway. And you’ll probably want to go a bit further so next year’s growth is not back onto the walk.

      Without seeing them it’s hard to give more guidance (and an opinion). If the cuts are so aggressive and deep into the old-wood of the plant, it may not rejuvenate and push new growth.

  • Stephanie
    10:47 AM, 16 November 2015

    As part of our autumn yard cleanup last weekend we pruned our cedars and junipers back a couple of inches to clear the sidewalks to make shovelling easier once the snow comes. Now doing some reading I realize I probably should have waited til spring to prune these plants – is there any point in wrapping with burlap to protect the plants through the winter or do I just have to wait and see how they do? We live in southern Alberta (just barely north of Montana) so it will get just below freezing in the next couple weeks and we expect a few weeks of -30 every winter.

    • Roger
      10:05 PM, 16 November 2015

      Stephanie,
      If the pruning you did stimulated new growth I would say to wrap and protect them. But I doubt that’s the case given the time of year and your “plant zone” (4?).

      Cedars and junipers are pretty tough, as you probably know. It sounds like you haven’t wrapped them in the past. My feeling is they’ll be fine. Of course if it will give you more assurance and peace of mind, then by all means wrap them.

  • Gary Pieper
    1:44 PM, 16 November 2015

    I have 8 blue star junipers on top of a stone retaining that have been neglected terribly over time and have a lot of dead grey branches in their interior and have been covered over with fall leaves. I have removed the leaves and other debris but the interior looks pretty bad. Is there anyway I can rejuvenate the interior growth of these plants and get them back to where they once did when they were planted. They are about 10+ years old and have not seemed to grow much over the years. What kind of care do you recommend?

    • Roger
      9:54 PM, 16 November 2015

      Gary,
      I’ve had mixed success with ‘Blue Star’ Juniper. And I haven’t figured out why that is. Usually one can, over time and use, figure out what a particular plant likes and dislikes. In seemingly similar conditions it will do well in one and not so good in another.

      If the environment they’re in is sunny, in well-drained soil and with little neighboring root competition, they should do well. Now, of course, there could be other issues at play here too. But in general, that’s the conditions ‘Blue Star’ likes.

      I would feed them in the spring (e.g. Espoma Hollytone). You could put some mulch under and around them for all the benefits mulch offers.

      With regard to the dead interior branches, you could prune some of that out for appearance sake. Hopefully it will be the new growth and rejuvenation that will disguise that.

  • Martha
    5:24 PM, 26 March 2016

    I have 3 blue star junipers 3 years old. They looked fine in the fall. This spring after the snow melted, they are brown in the center. I am assuming winter damage. How should I prune them to get them back to looking good?

    • Roger
      6:24 PM, 26 March 2016

      Martha,
      I’ve experienced that browning on the inside of Blues Star Juniper too. It’s not likely to recover in terms of color.

      I’d fertilize the plants this spring (e.g. Espoma Hollytone), and let them grow and recover as best they can through the spring and early summer. Take care not to over-water them. They don’t like it wet. Also, overhead watering from sprinkler systems is not good for their culture. In fact several varieties of low juniper languish under regimented watering from these sprinkler systems.

      You could begin to prune out some of the brown later this season if it bothers you.

      I’ve not had the best of luck with Blue Star. When it’s done well it looks amazing. Other times bare stems begin to show and the growth (or lack there of) does not seem to cover & compensate. Certain plants just happen to be more particular about their growing conditions (soil, exposure, etc.). Plants can indeed be a challenge. 🙂

  • arthur kaell
    10:16 PM, 6 May 2016

    I’ve had blue star junipers (in Ottawa) which ultimately have uniformly browned in the middle. Ended up looking quite ratty and I have discarded them as necessary. Then recently I saw at a local college a specimen with the brown inner leaves carefully removed to the stems, leaving the ends growing. It resulted in a very bonsai-looking specimen (to my untutored eye). I thought it quite attractive and interesting.

    • Roger
      12:14 PM, 7 May 2016

      Arthur,
      Absolutely. That’s a great way to re-purpose a Blue Star. And there are other juniper varieties that lend themselves to “bonsai-like” conversion. San Jose, Parsoni, Procumbens.

      Just yesterday I visited a property where a Hinoki Cypress was being trained in this manner. It looked amazing.

      To me choosing a candidate for this treatment has a lot to do with the branch structure. If you look at the branch structure and it’s interesting, that’s the first sign of a bonsai-type plant. The art becomes how you then prune and maintain each one.

      Great topic, Arthur. Thanks for commenting!

  • Aggie
    11:31 AM, 14 May 2016

    Do you know what chemicals destroy spreading junipers? I think something was left near my plants that is killing them

    • Roger
      11:05 PM, 15 May 2016

      Aggie,
      There are all types of things (chemicals, etc.) that could affect juniper. And any of this chemicals, etc. would affect other plants as well.

      What makes you think it’s a chemical rather than another problem? Was someone working on the house that could have spilled (or dumped) something? Are you seeing or smelling something in the ground?

  • Paul
    1:14 PM, 1 June 2016

    If my creeping juniper wasn’t so close to my house I’d be tempted to prune it with a gallon of gasoline.

    • Roger
      10:01 AM, 3 June 2016

      Paul,
      Haha, I hear you.

      Some of these junipers (and to be fair, other plants too) can be a pain to keep under control. When plants have outgrown their space, are constantly needing pruning, and begin to look terrible, I rip them out and replace with “a better choice plant”.

  • Sonya
    7:59 AM, 12 June 2016

    Hi, I have a 10 x 10 area of what I think is creeping juniper. The leaves are close to the ground but you can lift whole sections of it to see brown rope like stems/roots underneath. I love how they look, but due to construction need to move them to a different part of the property. Is this a lost cause?

    • Roger
      7:02 AM, 17 June 2016

      Sonya,
      I’m afraid it is a lost cause to try and move them. Between the poor root system they have and the extended network of running stems & branches, it’s doesn’t make sense to spend the time.

      We do a lot of renovation projects, and transplanting is a big part of our work. Sometimes you just have to weigh all the factors and make an objective decision. Most junipers are relatively inexpensive. It makes more sense to remove the plants and, if needed, buy new.

  • Dana
    1:47 PM, 18 June 2016

    I just moved into a new house with the creeping juniper growing along the walk. In places, there is almost no green and it is a mass of roots and brown twisting branches. How do I get it to put out more green and is it ok to cut off all those brown branches?

    • Roger
      11:12 AM, 21 June 2016

      Dana,
      In my experience there is not enough ability in old juniper like you have to rejuvenate themselves. It’s best to just remove them and replace.

  • Lindsay
    7:55 AM, 26 June 2016

    Hi Roger, my father’s island is filled with low lying, creeping junipers and poison ivy and sumac. He wants to keep and cut back the juniper but obviously eliminate the other. Is there a “good” way to do this? The juniper bushes are almost 30 years old (not sure if this helps or hurts the situation.) Thank you!

    • Roger
      10:45 AM, 26 June 2016

      Lindsay,
      Without seeing the situation or the extent of the situation it’s hard to give an exact recommendation. The problem in situations like this is the established sumac and poison ivy. These perennial and woody plants have roots and underground runners throughout the area. Even if the juniper were not to be saved, and you could physically remove all vegetation, fragments of the sumac and poison ivy would likely remain and ultimately come back.

      As much as I prefer not to use herbicides, I think you’ll need to use a chemical control to rid the planting bed of the sumac & poison ivy. I’m not up on the latest herbicides, but maybe there’s a “selective” control that would kill-off the sumac & poison ivy — and not the juniper. You’d have to visit a really good (knowledgeable) garden center and check with them on what’s currently available.

      A “non-selective” herbicide (like Roundup) will kill all vegetation. Unfortunately it would be almost impossible to transplant the existing juniper and save it.

  • Neta Wolfe
    5:03 PM, 14 July 2016

    We have an entire hillside planted in creeping juniper that is probably about 15 years old. The deer have eaten away at it in places and left only bare branches. Will these branches put out green shoots eventually? Should I spray some vitamins over them to encourage new growth? The juniper also has grown down about 8 -10 inches over the edge of the driveway. Is it safe to prune this back so it not longer hangs over into the drive?

    • Roger
      2:24 PM, 17 July 2016

      Neta,
      It’s possible the juniper will push some new buds and growth from the eaten areas (presuming the plant is generally healthy). But, of course you’ll have to in some way keep the deer from grazing on them in the future.

      Yes, it could help to feed them with a granular type fertilizer like Holly-tone in the fall.

      Yes, you can prune back the juniper from the driveway edge. Ideally there is always live foliage remaining on a branch that you prune.

  • Melissa
    10:46 PM, 17 July 2016

    Thank you for keeping this thread going and responding for so many years! I think I found the answer to my juniper question through your responses to others’ questions.

    • Roger
      10:50 PM, 18 July 2016

      Melissa,
      Thanks for your kind words. I’m so glad you were able to find your answer. It’s amazing how the information on a topic grows through the comments. 🙂

  • Jeannette McLaughlin
    6:23 PM, 22 July 2016

    Bonjour! Larry,

    I planted two Mint Julep Junipers several years ago. The dimensions on the label read: height – 4 to 6 feet; width – 6 to 8 feet. I have not done anything to them over the years, hoping they would grow taller the following year. They now measure about 10 feet x 10 feet, but only 3 feet high. How can I stop them from spreading sideways?

    Many thanks.

    • Roger
      10:01 AM, 25 July 2016

      Jeanette,
      The dimensions of your plants (at 3′ high X 10 feet wide) does not sound like ‘Mint Julep’. If they’re 10′ wide now (entirely possible for MJ) they should be almost as tall.

      I would take a sample piece to nearby nurseries, and a photo as well. Perhaps they can shed some light on which variety you have.

      To “control” their spread sideways you’ll have to aggressively prune back individual branches. Just don’t prune past where there’s green foliage (and the stem/branch is bare).

  • Karen
    2:33 PM, 26 July 2016

    Roger, I have a bed of Hughes Junipers that are 12 years old. All the limbs are turning brown and it appears some rodent (perhaps voles) have discovered them and been nibbling at the limbs close to the base. Since it appears all the limbs are turning brown I just want confirmation that I will need to cut them all back and pull them out entirely and replace with young, healthy ones to start over. Or is there something else you could recommend that might be more critter resistant but works to stabilize the hillside that was built up as part of a pond installation?

    • Roger
      9:30 AM, 27 July 2016

      Karen,
      The voles could indeed be part of the problem. Chewing on the outer portions of the stems at the base destroys the “transport system” of the plant and also opens the plant to disease & insect problems.

      Juniper blight is very common among the low spreading junipers. Do you have overhead sprinklers for irrigation? Regular overhead watering on junipers like this can really contribute to juniper blight.

      It’s difficult to recommend a substitute without seeing the situation and also knowing what’s available in your area. There are many plants that will serve as a ground-cover and stabilize the slope. I’d suggest to visit local garden centers and nurseries. Ask knowledgeable staff to offer suggestions after you explain the situation. And bring pictures with you to show the setting.

      Even ground-covers like liriope and vinca minor (vs. woody shrubs like juniper) work well — and they look great near ponds.

  • Debra
    2:46 PM, 29 January 2017

    We have had junipers in our hillside (clay soil) terraces for the 30 years we live in our home. They were here before us so they could be 40+ years old. Recently, in replacing the terraces, the juniper were cut back to “knuckle” looking stumps just above the soil. We are north of San Francisco, and they were quite browned out anyway because of the previous drought years. We’ve had good rain this year, will they come back? Thank you for your response…DE

    • Roger
      9:41 PM, 29 January 2017

      Debra,
      In my experience most junipers will not rejuvenate well (if at all).

      You may want to look at replacing them. Ask at local nurseries and garden centers which of the juniper varieties (that are available in your area) will grow in the form and mature size you’re looking for. Also, and most important, which ones are blight resistant. This is a disease we have problems with on certain junipers in our area. And heavy, clay soils can increase the chances of the disease, along with overhead watering (like from an irrigation system).

  • Marge
    12:01 AM, 5 April 2017

    How important is it to fertilize juniper ground cover and what is the best method.

    I have a large hillside 20′ by 40′ section of junipers which are about 2 feet tall and completely grown into each other. There is no way I could reach the inner areas by hand. Would you suggest attempting to throw granular fertilizer over the whole area, or using a hose to water the fertilizer in.

    Also. is Spring a good time to do this?

    • Roger
      8:41 AM, 5 April 2017

      Marge,
      Unless the plants are showing signs that they’re deficient and need to be fertilized, I would not bother.

      Years back I did plant fertilizing as a service on my projects. After testing the soil on each property I found very few that showed clear deficiencies. Now that’s not to say you don’t need to fertilize, but if the plants are doing well my guess is nutrient levels are close to what they should be.

      If you did need to fertilize you could apply a liquid such as this Miracle-Gro product. It used to be called Miracid, but they’ve changed the name/branding. You can use this product with a hose-sprayer and soak the foliage and ground — the fertilizer is absorbed through both.

  • Marge
    11:35 PM, 6 April 2017

    Thanks for the info and for continuing to keep tabs on questions.

  • Roger
    7:47 AM, 7 April 2017

    Marge,
    You’re so welcome. It’s always a pleasure helping folks with their landscapes.

  • Vincent Cronin
    7:17 PM, 22 April 2017

    Great article. My horizontal junipers are probably in need of selective pruning this year. I was concerned when I noticed an area browning out on one plant. It started on the tip of a branch but seems to moving back toward the center of the plant now. It looked like the branch was over sprayed with Round Up but I know that’s not likely. We have a mole / vole problem could they cause that type of damage? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

    • Roger
      9:18 PM, 23 April 2017

      Vincent,
      It’s difficult to diagnose plant problems without being on-site. There are so many variables involving the plant and the environment it’s in.

      If this browning is with one plant among others — and it’s one branch on that plant — I don’t think it’s pest or disease. I would prune that branch out by following it to a “juncture” where it connects with another (healthy) branch or stem. Then, watch the plant to see if browning or discoloring starts elsewhere.

      The browning is not likely a reaction to a chemical like Roundup. The damage would be more patchy on the plant within an area the spray landed on — again, not isolated to a singular branch.

      The branch could be physically damaged, i.e. broken or chewed at the base by “something,” which would cause just that branch to brown.

      And the possibilities just go on from there. Sorry I can’t be more sure.

  • Joan
    6:33 AM, 10 July 2017

    I just had a “landscaper” prune my 2 jumipers. He sheared then into unrecognizable shapes. I will need to replace them. Very sad.

    • Roger
      11:12 AM, 10 July 2017

      Joan,
      You’re not alone. These trimming errors happen all the time. It’s very difficult to find knowledgeable, experienced pruning people. It’s a dying art.

      Without seeing the plant(s), is it possible to simply let the plant(s) grow out over the next season or two and then start pruning them properly?

  • Suzanne Stewart
    11:57 AM, 12 July 2017

    I have been selectively pruning three low spreading junipers but the branches towards the base are dying out or brown. Plants are thriving – is this characteristic?

    • Roger
      9:03 AM, 13 July 2017

      Suzanne,
      It’s difficult to give an opinion on plant health without seeing the plant and the environment it’s in.

      If you’ve been pruning properly over the years, as you mentioned, and now they’re browning out towards the bottom — this does not sound normal to me.

      I wish I could be more helpful, but w/o seeing the plants and their environment there are just too many potential reasons for this lower browning to list.

  • Alexis stargazer106@outlook.com
    2:57 PM, 8 August 2017

    I have a juniper that is browning at the tips as well lower towards the stems,how do
    I trim them,do I trim them to the stem of just the dead leaves?

    • Roger
      9:24 PM, 9 August 2017

      Alexis,
      If the juniper is browning at the tips there is something wrong — and the cause could be one or a combination of things. You could take a sample to a garden center or nursery in your area where there’s “knowledgeable” staff. Sometimes there is a person on staff that is educated on plant health care.

  • Donna
    9:26 PM, 28 August 2017

    Juniper is browning and has very large woody runners. Can the large woody runners be cut out they are unsightly. Also there is a grass growing in one end of the juniper we have alot around a pool If I try to kill the grass then the juniper will also be killed, should I just strip all the juniper away and then kill grass? Will it regrow
    and spread again. I have tried to keep grass pulled but it grows faster than I can pull it.

    • Roger
      11:23 AM, 2 September 2017

      Donna,
      Without seeing the juniper it’s hard to comment on their condition, but at the very least it sounds as though they’ve reached a point where they should just be removed (and replaced).

      Grass growth within plants and planting beds can be a nuisance. And you’re right, how do you treat for the the grass and not hurt the plants?! I don’t follow current chemical use (i.e. herbicides and insecticides), so perhaps there’s a recently developed herbicide that would selectively kill the grass and not harm the plant.

      Assuming there isn’t a “selective” herbicide like this, I’d remove the juniper and then spray any of the existing grasses and weeds with a “non-select” herbicide like Roundup. After 10 days or so the grasses and weeds should be dead. Now you can go ahead and plant new. Of course there’s no guarantee these rogue grasses won’t return at some point. You can annually apply a granular weed preventer (e.g. Preen), but I don’t believe that prevents “grass-type” weeds. And, of course, maintaining a good layer of mulch (i.e. 2-3″) in the planting beds helps a great deal.

  • Fritz
    6:33 PM, 28 October 2017

    In fall, you should you allow the leaves from trees to stay in the beds and especially around the junipers? Or should you blow out all the leaves?

    • Roger
      8:57 PM, 29 October 2017

      Fritz,
      If you have a naturalized garden where leaves are OK to look at, then let them remain in the beds. As you probably know they’re excellent to supply organic matter and nutrients as they decompose.

  • Marcia
    8:06 PM, 11 November 2017

    I have a couple of blue star junipers for 4 years and never pruned them. They’re in small beds which they are attempting to take over and I am planning to prune them back. I’m in Northern Virginia and would like to know when is the best time (season) to prune them? Also, is it ok to cut back half of the plant in one go, or will that send it into shock? They are very healthy now, but I don’t want to compromise their health by trimming them back too much in one go, or at the wrong time.

    • Roger
      10:31 PM, 12 November 2017

      Marcia,
      I would prune in the spring so that the new season’s growth will happen soon after.

      I can not remember ever trimming a blue star juniper, other than to remove brown or damaged branches. Be careful not to prune back too hard. I would just shorten the terminal ends of branches a bit.

  • James S.
    1:45 PM, 26 April 2018

    I have 10 Andorra Junipers spaced about 8 feet, and want them to grow as wide as they wish. Do I need to prune them for any reason?

    • Roger
      2:29 PM, 28 April 2018

      James,
      It’s been quite some time since I used Andorra Juniper on a project. If I remember, they were becoming susceptible to a type of juniper blight — a disease. Now this was happening in our area, so it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s present or will occur in your area. One thing I’ll mention here is that overhead irrigation (sprinkler systems w/ spray heads) often increases the chances of the disease.

      Pruning Andorra juniper is challenging. Their branching is dense, so “selectively” pruning (branch by branch) is almost impossible. Trimming the plant with shears (power or manual) is probably you’re best option. And if there’s plenty of room for growth, and it sounds like you smartly planned for that, you could let them pretty much develop naturally. Perhaps another strategy would be to trim them with shears every other year.

  • Erin
    10:53 AM, 27 April 2018

    I have sea green junipers in landscaping around house. I wanted junipers because of bird shelter in winter. They are two and a half years old and in need of pruning. The landscaping companies scare me because they all say I will be able to tell they have been trimmed but it will grow back. Not what I am reading on internet. My question: My arches or arcs have grown too long . I am trying to figure out exactly where to make the cut. Also will I ruin the graceful arches when I prune and will they live to arch again. Thank you.

    • Roger
      2:50 PM, 28 April 2018

      Erin,
      Your landscaper’s “warning” that the juniper will look pruned afterwards is warranted.

      Sea Green juniper, like several other junipers, grows aggressively at the terminal ends of branches. In other words, by nature it puts all (or most of) its growth energy into the dominate ends (tips) of its branches — it just wants to get as big as it can fast.

      As a result, over the years if left un-pruned, the branches become elongated and heavy. This often causes the plant to become very open — and the branches can start to splay apart, especially from snow and ice.

      How much to prune depends on several factors, but I would say don’t prune back branches past where growth is green and healthy. Going too deep into sparse or bare branches will look terrible and will likely not recover.

      Having said that, it’s important to get them on a pruning schedule. Yes, this first time will have them looking a bit “rough,” but their new growth will soon soften those cuts. And don’t worry, you’re doing the right thing to preserve them and the shelter they give the birds. 🙂

  • Erin
    9:04 PM, 15 June 2019

    Thank you so much for your reply. Landscaper said same as you…..don’t miss a scheduled trimming. He is trimming them twice this year because he wants to get them under control gradually.

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