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Pathfinder Juniper

Juniperus scopulorum (jew-NIP-er-us skop-yew-LOR-um)

Family: Cupressaceae Unknown Understory (15-40 ft)

Pathfinder Juniper is a cultivar of J. scopulorum . It is a slow-growing, needled evergreen tree that, at maturity (usually 20 years or more), can reach a height of 20 feet with a relatively narrow width of 8 feet. The tree is noted for its upright form and dense blueish-gray green foliage in flat sprays that are fragrant and seldom damaged by deer. These trees can be referred to as male or female. Attractive to birds, this is considered to be a desirable wildlife plant. Its branch strength is rated as medium, and the possibility of root damage is rated as low. Pathfinder Juniper does well in full sun, in moist but well-drained conditions, and tolerates a range of soils, including clay and sand. It will also tolerate a moderate amount of salt spray. Pathfinder Juniper, because of its moderate size and upright, pyramid habit, makes an excellent screen in the home landscape. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Litter from the dropped, dried fruit can be an issue. Insect issues include aphids, beetles, borers, and spider mites. Diseases affecting this plant are root rot, rust and armillaria (mushrooms). The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common juniper diseases and insect pests. More information on Juniperus scopulorum .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 47 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 2 - Understory (15-40 ft) Optimal soil pH Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Fills a similar niche Juniperus communis 'Hibernica' Salvia rosmarinus Thymus x citriodorus

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub; Tree
Life cycle
Perennial; Woody
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
3 feet-6 feet; 6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Mountains
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Columnar; Dense; Erect; Pyramidal
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Blue; Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Needles
Leaf arrangement
Whorled
Leaf value
Fragrant; Long-lasting; Showy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Scale-like, bluish gray foliage in flat sprays. Overall dense foliage.
Flower color
Insignificant
Flower detail
Conifers do not flower; tree can be dioecious (male or female)
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Blue; White
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Small white or blue cone.
Bark color
Dark Gray; Light Gray
Bark detail
exfoliating or striated
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Cones attract birds and other wildlife.
Attracts
Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Winter
Fruit type
Berry
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Lawn
Design feature
Accent; Barrier; Border; Screen/Privacy; Shade Tree; Specimen
Garden tags
#evergreen #deer resistant #wind tolerant #rabbit resistant #drought tolerant #fragrant leaves #needled evergreen #columnar #dense growth
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Juniper Pest Management Calendar; Pests of Conifers
Resistant to
Deer; Drought; Pollution; Rabbits; Wind

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.