Plant, Tree & Shrub Library

Description:

A stunning groundcover evergreen with a dense uniform growth habit; a low wide spreading form with gold soft feathery foliage that changes to yellow bronze in the winter

Ornamental Features

Mother Lode Juniper is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the garden for its broadly spreading habit of growth. It has attractive gold evergreen foliage. The scale-like sprays of foliage are highly ornamental and turn harvest gold in the fall, which persists throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Mother Lode Juniper is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a ground-hugging habit of growth. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which should be used to full effect.

This is a high maintenance shrub that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Mother Lode Juniper is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Mother Lode Juniper will grow to be only 6 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selection of a native North American species.