{"product_id":"dwarf-japanese-garden-juniper","title":"Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper","description":"\u003ch1\u003eThe Lowest-Growing Juniper for Minnesota Ground Cover\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDwarf Japanese Garden Juniper (Juniperus procumbens 'Nana') is the lowest-growing landscape juniper available — a dense mat-forming evergreen that hugs the ground at just 6-12 inches tall. Whether you are blanketing a Wayzata slope, edging an Edina pathway, or filling a Plymouth foundation gap — Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper gets the job done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDwarf Japanese Garden Juniper Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJuniperus procumbens 'Nana'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDwarf Japanese Garden Juniper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6-12 in tall × 4-6 ft wide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate — 12-18 inches per year\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hrs). Junipers do not thrive in shade.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow. Established plants are highly drought-tolerant.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3-9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a). Reliable to -40°F.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTolerates Minnesota clay-loam, sandy soils, and rocky sites. Excellent drainage required — no standing water.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen — needle\/scale foliage in green, blue-green, gold, or silver-gray. Holds color year-round.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40°F.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely browsed — junipers are one of the most deer-resistant evergreens\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDwarf Japanese Garden Juniper Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDeer-resistant evergreen for tough sites\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJunipers handle the worst Minnesota conditions — full sun, dry soils, deer pressure, road salt. Reliable everywhere from Wayzata estates to St. Paul boulevards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePrivacy screens and hedges\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUpright junipers form dense year-round screens that hold their shape under snow load. Excellent for property-line privacy in Eden Prairie, Plymouth, and Minnetonka.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFoundation plantings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpreading and globe junipers are foundation-bed standards — drought-tolerant once established and unaffected by rain shadow under roof eaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFall (late August–early October) is the ideal planting window.\u003c\/strong\u003e Soil is still warm for root development, cool air reduces transplant stress, and the plant gets 6–8 weeks to establish roots before ground freeze (typically mid-November in the Twin Cities).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpring (late April–May) is the second-best window\u003c\/strong\u003e — the plant gets the full growing season to establish before its first winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid summer planting (June–August) when possible. Never plant after mid-October or before late April — frozen ground or frost-heaving kills new roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDig wide, not deep.\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–3× the root ball width, same depth as the container. Heavy clay benefits from even wider digging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCheck drainage.\u003c\/strong\u003e Fill the hole with water — if it doesn't drain in 30 minutes, mound-plant or break through any clay hardpan to improve drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBackfill with native soil + 20–30% compost.\u003c\/strong\u003e Minnesota clay-loam benefits from organic amendment but don't create a \"container\" of pure compost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing.\u003c\/strong\u003e Refer to the mature width above and space accordingly. Closer for hedging, wider for individual specimen plants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater basin.\u003c\/strong\u003e Build a 3–4 inch ring around the planting to direct water to the roots. Flatten or remove before winter to avoid ice damage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMulch.\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chip mulch, kept 2 inches away from the trunk. Do NOT use gravel mulch in Minnesota — it doesn't insulate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (15–25 minutes per plant)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 3–4 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Every 5–7 days during active growth; less if rainfall is adequate (Minnesota averages ~3 inches\/month June–August)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze\u003c\/strong\u003e (typically late October in the Twin Cities metro) to avoid pushing late-season growth that gets killed by winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished plants only need supplemental water during droughts (2+ weeks with no rain and temps above 80°F). Water deeply and infrequently — every 7–14 days during dry spells, soaking to 6–8 inches depth. Let natural rainfall do most of the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePruning Note\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrune lightly in late spring or early summer. Avoid cutting back into bare wood — junipers don't readily regrow from old wood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the difference between Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper and similar shrubs?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLowest-growing landscape juniper — dense mat-forming evergreen for ground cover. This makes it a strong choice when you want ground-cover, evergreen, deer-resistant in a Minnesota-tested plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — 3-9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a). Reliable to -40°F. Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper is among the most reliable junipers for Twin Cities zone 4b–5a yards. First-year plants benefit from a deep mulch ring and adequate fall watering before ground freeze.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper deer-resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRarely browsed — junipers are one of the most deer-resistant evergreens In high-pressure areas like Minnetonka, Wayzata, Eden Prairie, or Chanhassen, plan accordingly — deer fencing or repellent for the first year is a worthwhile insurance policy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper tolerate Minnesota clay soil?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTolerates Minnesota clay-loam, sandy soils, and rocky sites. Excellent drainage required — no standing water. At planting, dig wide (2–3× the root ball width) and amend with 20–30% compost. Avoid creating a sunken \"container\" of pure compost in the clay — the plant should transition gradually to native soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen is the best time to plant Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper in Minnesota?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFall (late August through early October) is the ideal planting window — soil is still warm for root development, cool air reduces transplant stress, and plants get 6–8 weeks to establish before ground freeze. Spring (late April through May) is the second-best window.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/shrubs\"\u003eShop all Three Timbers Minnesota shrubs\u003c\/a\u003e — full catalog of zone 4-hardy shrubs for Twin Cities yards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/deer-resistant\"\u003eDeer-Resistant Plants\u003c\/a\u003e — for high-pressure suburbs like Minnetonka, Wayzata, and Eden Prairie\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/winter-interest\"\u003eWinter Interest Plants\u003c\/a\u003e — plants that look great through Minnesota's five-month winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/find-my-plant\"\u003eFind Your Perfect Plant\u003c\/a\u003e — answer 5 questions and we'll recommend a plant for your yard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach plant mats out 4–6 feet wide at under a foot tall, so plan coverage by area. Space about 4 feet on center for a solid evergreen carpet in 3–4 seasons (3 feet for faster fill).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eArea to cover\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants needed (4 ft spacing)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50 sq ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–4 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 sq ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–7 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 sq ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12–13 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e400 sq ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn slopes, stagger the rows so each plant backs the gap in the row below — better erosion control and a fuller look as the mats knit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDwarf Japanese Garden Juniper Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh blue-green growth extends the mat outward 12–18 inches a year; light pruning now keeps it off walks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e A dense, weed-suppressing evergreen carpet that shrugs off heat and drought once established — no mowing, no fuss.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foliage often takes on a slight bronze-purple cast as temperatures drop, adding subtle seasonal change.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e The ground-hugging mat disappears under snow and re-emerges unbothered — hardy to -40°F and indifferent to boulevard salt spray.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Salt-Tolerant   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Evergreen   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-star-juniper\"\u003eBlue Star Juniper\u003c\/a\u003e — a compact silvery-blue mound to punctuate the green mat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/hillside-creeper-scotch-pine\"\u003eHillside Creeper Scotch Pine\u003c\/a\u003e — another prostrate evergreen for mixing textures across a big slope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/dwarf-blue-scotch-pine\"\u003eDwarf Blue Scotch Pine\u003c\/a\u003e — a steel-blue mound that rises above the carpet as a focal point.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/gro-low-sumac\"\u003eGro-Low Sumac\u003c\/a\u003e — a tough native spreader for the rougher, drier parts of the same hillside.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose it for full-sun problem ground: slopes that erode, boulevard strips hit by road salt, hot dry beds, and deer country — anywhere you want a permanent evergreen carpet that needs almost nothing once established. It's not a fit for shade or wet spots: junipers thin out without 6+ hours of sun and fail outright in standing water. Give it drainage and sunshine and it's one of the most reliable groundcovers you can plant.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54160431022385,"sku":null,"price":31.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54160431055153,"sku":null,"price":46.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/Dwarf_japanese_garden_juniper_2_5a936dfc-8c26-424e-9680-08fb8595d67f.jpg?v=1778270292","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/dwarf-japanese-garden-juniper","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}