Overwintering guide
How to overwinter sierra juniper
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills sierra juniper in winter
Cutting sierra 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 sierra juniper care
Overwintering sierra juniper — FAQ
Does sierra juniper need to come indoors for winter?
Sierra Juniper is hardy to roughly USDA zone 4 — winter lows around -34°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Sierra 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 sierra juniper for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water sierra juniper in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills sierra juniper over winter?
Cutting sierra 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.