A Fast, Narrow Green Column for Upright Structure

Hetzii Columnaris Juniper (Juniperus chinensis 'Hetzii Columnaris') is a vigorous, narrow grower that forms a dense green column 10-15 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. Bright green, soft foliage and quick growth make it a practical choice for tall, slim screens and vertical accents. Like all junipers, it is drought-tough and deer-resistant once established.

Hetzii Columnaris Juniper Plant Details

Hetzii Columnaris Juniper Uses in Minnesota Landscapes

Fast, Narrow Privacy Screens

Hetzii Columnaris pairs a slim 3-to-4-foot width with the fastest growth rate of our junipers — up to 24 inches a year. That combination makes it ideal for closing in privacy quickly along a tight side yard or property line where a wider evergreen won't fit. Plant them 3 to 4 feet apart for a dense green wall, a favorite trick for narrow lots in Edina, Plymouth, and St. Paul.

Vertical Accents and Green Columns

The naturally upright, columnar form gives a planting instant vertical structure. Use a single plant as an exclamation point at a corner, or a matched pair to frame an entry or garage in Wayzata or Minnetonka. The bright green color reads softer and more traditional than the steely blue junipers, and the tight habit needs little shearing to stay neat.

Tough Sites and Low-Maintenance Plantings

Once established, Hetzii Columnaris handles drought, poor soil, and road salt with ease, and it rarely needs pruning. That makes it a reliable, low-fuss choice for boulevard strips, driveway edges, and exposed corners in Maple Grove, Woodbury, and Eden Prairie.

Best Time to Plant Hetzii Columnaris Juniper in Minnesota

As an evergreen, Hetzii Columnaris establishes best when planted in late August through mid-September. The soil is still warm enough to drive root growth, while cooler air eases transplant stress and gives the plant six to eight weeks to settle in before the ground freezes around mid-November. Spring (late April through May) is the solid second choice, leaving a full season to root before the first winter. Avoid the heat of midsummer, and never plant after mid-October — evergreens set out too late are prone to winter desiccation before their roots can support them.

How to Plant Hetzii Columnaris Juniper

1. Dig wide, not deep. Make the hole 2 to 3 times the width of the root ball but no deeper — the top of the root ball should sit slightly above grade. In heavy clay, go even wider.
2. Check drainage. Fill the hole with water; if it pools for hours, you've hit clay hardpan. Break through it or mound-plant a few inches high so roots never sit in standing water.
3. Backfill with amended soil. Mix your native soil with 20 to 30 percent compost. Junipers prefer lean soil, so don't overdo the organic matter — just enough to loosen heavy clay.
4. Space for the form. Set plants 3 to 4 feet apart for a narrow privacy screen, or use single plants as slim vertical accents.
5. Build a water basin. Form a 3 to 4 inch soil ring around the base to channel water to the roots. Flatten it before winter so ice doesn't collect against the trunk.
6. Mulch with bark. Spread 2 to 3 inches of shredded bark or wood chips, kept 2 inches off the trunk. Skip gravel mulch — it bakes roots and gives no winter insulation.

Watering Hetzii Columnaris Juniper in Minnesota

First Year Watering Schedule

• Weeks 1–2: Deep soak every 1 to 2 days (15–25 minutes at a slow trickle).
• Month 1–2: Every 3 to 4 days.
• Month 3–6: Every 5 to 7 days during active growth; ease off when rain is steady.
• Stop watering 2 to 3 weeks before the ground freezes (late October in the metro) — but give it one last deep drink in early December if fall was dry, to guard against winter burn.

After Year One

Established Hetzii Columnaris is drought-tolerant and rarely needs supplemental water. During a prolonged dry spell (two-plus weeks of no rain with heat), give it a deep soak every 10 to 14 days. Otherwise let Minnesota's rainfall do the work, and always stop watering 2 to 3 weeks before the ground freezes so the plant can harden off for winter.

Will Hetzii Columnaris Juniper survive a Minnesota winter?

Yes — it's hardy through USDA zone 4, which covers the Twin Cities' zone 4b–5a, and holds its green color through the cold. In the very coldest, most exposed exurban sites a Rocky Mountain juniper like Medora is the safer bet, but across the metro Hetzii Columnaris is reliably hardy with no winter wrapping needed once established.

Is it deer-resistant?

Yes — junipers are among the most reliably deer-resistant evergreens for Minnesota. Their prickly, aromatic foliage is something deer rarely browse, which makes Hetzii Columnaris a smart narrow screen for high-pressure western suburbs like Minnetonka, Wayzata, and Chanhassen where deer routinely strip arborvitae.

How fast and how wide does it get?

It's one of the quickest junipers — 12 to 24 inches a year — while staying narrow at just 3 to 4 feet wide and 10 to 15 feet tall. That's the appeal: fast height and screening without the bulk of a spruce or a wide juniper. Don't expect one plant to fill a wide gap, though; space several in a row.

Can I plant it near the road or driveway?

Yes. Established junipers tolerate road salt and reflected winter wind better than most evergreens, making Hetzii Columnaris dependable along boulevard strips and driveway edges where de-icing salt would scorch a spruce or arborvitae.

You May Also Like

• Emerald Feather Juniper — another narrow upright, a bright green native red cedar for slim screening spots.
• Medora Juniper — an extremely narrow, ultra-hardy blue-green column for the tightest accents.
• Trautman Juniper — a fast green upright for fuller, quick-growing screens.
• Blue Point Juniper — a dense, compact blue-green pyramid that needs little pruning.

How Many Hetzii Columnaris Juniper Do I Need?

For a narrow privacy screen, plant Hetzii Columnaris 3–4 feet apart in a single row:

For accents, use a single column at a corner or a matched pair to frame an entry or garage.

Hetzii Columnaris Juniper Season-by-Season in Minnesota

• Spring: Bright green new growth extends the column quickly — expect 12–24 inches of height in a season.
• Summer: Dense, soft green foliage stays fresh through heat and drought with no shearing required.
• Fall: The column holds its color and structure as the rest of the garden winds down.
• Winter: A solid green vertical against the snow, shrugging off road salt, wind, and deer browsing alike.

At a Glance

✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Salt-Tolerant   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Evergreen   ✔ Four-Season Interest

Plant It With

• Emerald Feather Juniper — narrow native red cedar in the same bright green for mixed slim screens.
• Medora Juniper — ultra-hardy blue-green column for the tightest accent spots.
• Trautman Juniper — fast green upright that pairs well in a quick-growing screen run.
• Blue Point Juniper — compact blue-green pyramid for color contrast at the foreground.

Is Hetzii Columnaris Juniper Right for Your Yard?

Choose Hetzii Columnaris if you have a full-sun spot — a narrow side yard, boulevard strip, or driveway edge — and want fast vertical screening that tolerates drought, salt, and deer with almost no maintenance. It's not a fit for shady sites (junipers thin out badly below 6 hours of sun) or for wet, poorly drained ground where the roots will rot.