Hollywood Juniper Tree

Hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9, the Hollywood Juniper wants full sun and, above all, well-draining soil. Junipers are far more troubled by wet feet than by drought, so good drainage is the single most important condition for long-term health.

Planting

1. Choose a sunny, open spot. Give it at least six hours of direct sun; full sun keeps the foliage dense and the form tight.
2. Confirm drainage. Avoid low areas that hold water. On heavy clay, plant slightly high and amend with coarse material to improve runoff.
3. Dig wide, not deep. Make the hole about twice the width of the root ball and no deeper than the root ball is tall.
4. Set the root flare at grade. The top of the root ball should sit level with or slightly above the surrounding soil. Never bury the trunk.
5. Backfill and water in. Firm the native soil around the roots and water deeply to settle out air pockets.
6. Mulch. Apply two to three inches of mulch over the root zone, pulled back a few inches from the trunk to keep it dry.
7. Spacing for a screen. For an informal screen or row, space plants about 6 feet apart center to center; closer for a faster, more solid line, wider to let each plant show its individual form.

Care & maintenance

• Water. Water deeply but infrequently through the first one to two growing seasons to establish roots. After that it is quite drought tolerant. Give it water during dry fall or winter spells so the evergreen foliage does not desiccate.
• Feed. Junipers need little. A light application of slow-release evergreen or conifer fertilizer in early spring is plenty; avoid overfeeding.
• Light. Full sun. In too much shade the habit opens up, foliage thins, and the plant becomes more disease-prone.
• Prune. Prune lightly in late spring or early summer only to shape, and only into green, living growth. Like other needled junipers, this plant will not regenerate from bare brown wood, so never cut back past the green foliage into the leafless interior. The best approach is minimal: it is grown for its natural sculptural form.
• Spacing. For a screening row, hold to roughly 6 feet apart center to center.
• Pests & disease. Watch for bagworms (handpick the spindle-shaped cases before they multiply), spider mites in hot dry weather (look for dusty, off-color foliage), and twig or tip blight in damp conditions. Good air circulation and proper drainage prevent most problems.
• Winter care. Established plants are reliably hardy in zone 5. Keep soil from staying saturated through winter, the main cold-season risk for junipers.

How tall and wide does a Hollywood Juniper get?

Expect a mature size of about 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide. It grows at a moderate rate and naturally develops an upright, irregular, twisting form rather than a neat cone or column.

How far apart should I plant them for a screen?

For an informal screen or row, space plants roughly 6 feet apart, measured center to center. Plant a little closer for a more solid line that fills in sooner, or a bit farther apart if you want each plant's sculptural shape to remain distinct.

Is it evergreen all year?

Yes. The Hollywood Juniper holds its deep-green foliage through all four seasons, so it provides structure and color in winter when deciduous plants are bare.

Is it deer resistant?

Generally, yes. Junipers have resinous, aromatic foliage that deer usually avoid, making this one of the more deer-resistant evergreens. No plant is completely deer-proof, especially where browsing pressure is severe, but it is rarely a first choice for them.

Does it need full sun?

It performs best in full sun, at least six hours of direct light per day. Sun keeps the foliage dense and the form tight. In too much shade the plant thins out, loses its bold habit, and becomes more susceptible to mites and disease.

Why is my Hollywood Juniper turning brown?

A few common causes:

• Wet feet. The most frequent culprit. Junipers decline fast in soggy, poorly drained soil. Improve drainage and avoid overwatering.
• Spider mites. In hot, dry weather mites cause stippled, dusty, browning foliage. Check by tapping a branch over white paper.
• Winter or drought desiccation. Dry wind in winter or a long dry spell can scorch foliage; water during dry periods.
• Normal interior shedding. Some browning of the oldest inner needles, especially in fall, is natural as the plant sheds aging growth.

Remember that browned-out branches will not releaf, so prune only into living green growth and address the underlying cause.