{"product_id":"grey-owl-juniper","title":"Grey Owl Juniper","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Spreading Silvery-Blue Juniper for Minnesota Beds\u003c\/h1\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eGrey Owl Juniper (\u003cem\u003eJuniperus virginiana\u003c\/em\u003e 'Grey Owl') is a low spreading juniper with soft silvery-gray foliage, mature 2–3 ft tall by 5–6 ft wide. Reliable to -40°F and deer resistant. A graceful airy alternative to dense Sky Rocket-style junipers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eGrey Owl Juniper Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ctable\u003e\n    \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\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eJuniperus virginiana\u003c\/em\u003e 'Grey Owl'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrey Owl Juniper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–3 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–6 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate — 6–10 inches per year\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow to moderate.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTolerates poor and Minnesota clay-loam soils.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen — soft silvery-gray scaled foliage in spreading airy habit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40°F.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGenerally deer-resistant.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEastern Red Cedar parent native to North America; 'Grey Owl' graceful selection\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n    \u003c\/table\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eGrey Owl Juniper Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eSpreading Foundation Mat\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrey Owl's soft silvery foliage softens hard architectural lines. Plant 5 feet apart for a continuous spreading carpet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSlope and Bank Plantings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpreads to hold slopes and banks while looking lighter and airier than typical low junipers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Grey Owl Juniper in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eFall — late August through mid-September — is the ideal planting window for evergreens like Grey Owl Juniper. Soil is still warm enough for root development, cool air reduces transplant shock, and the plant gets 6–8 weeks to establish roots before the typical mid-November ground freeze in the Twin Cities. The earlier window matters specifically for evergreens because they continue losing moisture through their needles all winter, so root establishment before freeze is critical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eSpring (late April through May, after ground thaw) is the second-best window — you get a full growing season ahead. Avoid summer planting (June–August) when possible; if you must, water heavily and mulch deeply. Never plant after mid-October or before late April, when frozen ground or frost-heaving will kill new roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Grey Owl Juniper\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003col\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — 2–3x the root ball width, same depth. In heavy clay, dig even wider (3–4x).\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eCheck for clay hardpan — if water pools in the hole, break through the clay layer or mound-plant 2–3 inches above grade to improve drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eBackfill with native soil mixed with 20–30% compost. Don't fill the hole with pure compost — it creates a \"container\" effect that traps water around the roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSpacing — 5 feet apart for continuous spreading row.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eBuild a 3–4 inch water basin around the plant to direct water to the roots. Flatten or remove the basin in late October to prevent ice damage over winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eMulch with 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chip mulch, kept 2 inches away from the trunk. Do NOT use gravel mulch — it doesn't insulate roots in Minnesota winters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ol\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eWatering Grey Owl 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)\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 roughly 3 inches\/month June–August)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in Twin Cities metro). Continued late-fall watering can push tender new growth that gets killed by winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eOne deep watering in early December is a good idea for evergreens if fall has been dry — it helps the plant resist winter desiccation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eEstablished Grey Owl Juniper rarely needs supplemental water. Water deeply during droughts (2+ weeks of no rain combined with temps above 80°F).\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSoak to 6–8 inches depth, every 7–14 days during dry spells. Let natural rainfall do the rest.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eDrip Irrigation in Minnesota\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eDrip works well for Grey Owl Juniper if your beds already have a system. Place emitters 12–18 inches from the trunk. Always blow out lines and shut off the timer by early October — frozen drip lines split.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Grey Owl survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — rated to USDA zone 3.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it deer-resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — junipers are generally avoided by deer due to scratchy foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRussian Cypress\u003c\/strong\u003e — Companion low spreading conifer with finer foliage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLimelight Hydrangea\u003c\/strong\u003e — Lime-white blooms above the silvery juniper.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Grey Owl Juniper Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a continuous silvery carpet along a foundation or down a bank, space Grey Owl 5 feet apart — its 5–6 foot spread closes the gaps in a few seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRun Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants Needed (5 ft spacing)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn a slope, stagger two rows 4 feet apart for faster, denser coverage. A single plant needs a 6-foot circle — don't crowd it against a walk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGrey Owl Juniper Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh silvery-gray growth extends the airy, layered branches outward.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e A soft, smoky silver-blue mat that shrugs off heat, drought, and poor soil while smothering weeds beneath it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foliage takes on subtle plum-gray tones, and female plants may carry small blue juniper berries that birds appreciate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Holds its silvery color above the snow line — dependable evergreen cover to -40°F with no winter protection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ 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\/russian-cypress\"\u003eRussian Cypress\u003c\/a\u003e — the body's own pairing: a finer-textured low conifer for shadier edges of the same bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/limelight-hydrangea\"\u003eLimelight Hydrangea\u003c\/a\u003e — lime-white summer blooms rising above the silvery mat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/gro-low-sumac\"\u003eGro-Low Sumac\u003c\/a\u003e — a tough native spreader that shares slope-holding duty and adds red fall color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/globe-blue-spruce\"\u003eGlobe Blue Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — a deeper blue mound for height contrast behind Grey Owl's spread.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Grey Owl Juniper Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you have a hot, sunny, well-drained spot — a south-facing slope, a boulevard strip, a foundation bed that bakes — Grey Owl delivers silvery evergreen cover that deer ignore and drought can't kill. It's not a fit for shade or wet clay: junipers thin out without 6+ hours of sun and root-rot in soggy ground.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54101112455473,"sku":null,"price":31.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54101112488241,"sku":null,"price":46.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/Grey_owl_juniper_5.jpg?v=1777906788","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/grey-owl-juniper","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}