Taylor Juniper

Taylor Juniper is hardy in zones 3-9 and grows best in full sun with well-draining soil. It tolerates a wide range of soils, including sandy and rocky ground, but will not tolerate constantly wet or soggy roots, so good drainage is essential.

Planting

1. Choose a site in full sun. At least six hours of direct light keeps the foliage dense and the column tight; too much shade causes thinning and floppy growth.
2. Make sure the site drains freely. Avoid low spots where water collects, and amend heavy clay with compost to improve drainage.
3. Dig the hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper than the root ball is tall.
4. Set the plant so the root flare (where the trunk widens at the roots) sits right at ground level. Do not bury it deeper than it grew in the pot.
5. Backfill with native soil, firm gently, and water in deeply to settle out air pockets.
6. For a privacy hedge, space plants about 3-4 ft. apart center to center. Because Taylor stays so narrow, this close spacing fills into a solid vertical screen without crowding.
7. Mulch 2-3 inches deep over the root zone, keeping the mulch a few inches back from the trunk.

Care & maintenance

• Water. Water deeply and regularly through the first one to two growing seasons to establish a strong root system. As an evergreen, it also benefits from a deep drink during dry spells in fall and early winter to prevent foliage from drying out (desiccation). Once established, it is notably drought-tolerant.
• Feed. Feeding is rarely needed. If growth seems slow, apply a light, slow-release evergreen or conifer fertilizer in early spring.
• Light. Full sun is best. Shade leads to a thinner, weaker, less colorful column.
• Prune. Taylor naturally holds its narrow shape and needs little pruning. If you shear it to tidy or shorten, trim only the green outer growth in late spring or early summer. Never cut back into bare, brown, leafless wood — like most needled junipers, it will not regrow from old bare branches, leaving a permanent dead patch.
• Spacing. For a privacy row, set plants 3-4 ft. apart center to center; as a single accent, give it room to reach its mature width over time.
• Pests & disease. Watch for bagworms, which can defoliate junipers if left unchecked — handpick the spindle-shaped bags or treat early in the season. In humid sites keep an eye out for twig blight and spider mites, both helped by good air circulation and full sun. As an Eastern red cedar selection, it can host cedar-apple rust, so it is best kept away from apple and crabapple trees.
• Winter care. Established plants are very cold-hardy. In exposed, snowy sites, gently brush heavy snow off the column or loosely tie the upper branches to keep the narrow form from splaying under snow load.

How far apart should I plant them for a privacy hedge?

Because Taylor Juniper is so narrow, plant them close — about 3-4 ft. apart, measured center to center. This tight spacing knits together into a solid, formal vertical screen. For a less formal look or to save plants, you can stretch the spacing toward 4-5 ft. and let them fill in over a season or two.

How fast does it grow and how tall will it get?

Taylor grows at a moderate, steady pace, typically putting on roughly a foot of height per year in good conditions. It matures around 15-20 ft. tall with a natural spread of 20-25 ft., though in a hedge it is held much narrower. Its real signature is that upright, column-like form rather than raw speed.

Is it evergreen year-round?

Yes. Taylor Juniper holds its dense silvery-green to blue-green foliage in every season, providing screening and color through the winter. In cold weather the foliage may take on a slightly bronzed or purplish tint, then return to green as temperatures warm — this is normal and not a sign of trouble.

Is it deer resistant?

Generally, yes. Junipers are among the more deer-resistant evergreens and are far less browsed than arborvitae, making Taylor a smart choice in areas with deer pressure. No plant is completely deer-proof, especially in a hard winter, but Taylor holds up well.

Does it grow in sun or shade?

Full sun. Taylor needs at least six hours of direct sunlight to stay dense, colorful, and tightly columnar. In shade it thins out, loses its silvery tone, and can grow loose and floppy.

Why is my Taylor Juniper turning brown?

A few common causes, most of them fixable:

• Drought or winter desiccation. Browning, especially after a dry fall or windy winter, usually means the roots dried out. Water deeply during dry spells, including in winter when the ground isn't frozen.
• Wet feet. Constant soggy soil rots the roots and browns the foliage. Confirm the site drains freely.
• Bagworms or spider mites. Check for small spindle-shaped bags or fine webbing and stippled foliage, and treat early if present.
• Normal inner-needle drop. Some browning of the older, interior foliage in fall is natural shedding, not a problem.