Juniperus communis var. montana

Juniperus communis montana is a  prostrate ground cover native to higher elevations in Northern and Eastern California  Mountains to Northern Alaska to Greenland. A common, low mountain ground cover in Alaska. In the Sierra Nevada mountains Dwarf Juniper is found with Squaw Currant, Ribes cereum,  Monardella odoratissima, Eriogonum compositum,  Ponderosa pine, Xerophyllum tenax,  grows over rock outcroppings and along riparian edges.

Dwarf Juniper seems very adaptable as it has grown well here in the central coast ranges. Also, at the California Living Museum (CALM) in Bakersfield, California, Juniperus communis saxatilis (J. communis montana) has survived for years in full sun with regular water. How much further from the granitic rocks at Mono Pass can you get? For a small rock garden, Juniperus communis montana is a perfect candidate.  One of our customers used it for his out door railroad. Pruned up it looks like a miniature conifer.

(Syn. Juniperus communis saxatilis, Juniperus sibirica, Juniperus nana)