Overwintering guide
How to overwinter rocky mountain juniper
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills rocky mountain juniper in winter
Cutting rocky mountain juniper hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More rocky mountain juniper care
Overwintering rocky mountain juniper — FAQ
Does rocky mountain juniper need to come indoors for winter?
Rocky Mountain Juniper is hardy to roughly USDA zone 3 — winter lows around -40°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Rocky Mountain Juniper is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move rocky mountain juniper for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water rocky mountain juniper in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills rocky mountain juniper over winter?
Cutting rocky mountain juniper hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.