Juniper, Moonglow

Juniperus scopulorum 'Moonglow', a spectacular selection of Rocky Mountain Juniper with exceptional cold hardiness for Zone 3-7 landscapes, stands as one of the most reliable upright evergreens for North Dakota's challenging climate. This outstanding cultivar develops a broadly pyramidal to columnar form, reaching an impressive 20 feet in height while maintaining a proportional 8-foot width at maturity, creating a substantial yet elegant presence in the landscape. The plant's most striking feature is its extraordinarily vibrant foliage color – a shimmering silvery-blue that appears almost luminescent in the landscape, particularly when backlit by morning or evening sun, creating the moonlit glow that inspired its name. This distinctive coloration remains consistent throughout all seasons without the bronzing or discoloration that affects many evergreens during harsh winters, providing year-round interest and structure in the northern landscape. 'Moonglow' features exceptionally dense branching from ground level to top, with foliage so thick it effectively blocks sight lines, making it an ideal choice for privacy screens, windbreaks, and visual barriers. The plant's structural architecture includes strong, ascending branches with fibrous wood that resists breakage even under heavy snow and ice loads – a critical characteristic for North Dakota landscapes. This juniper demonstrates remarkable environmental resilience, having been specifically selected for its ability to withstand extreme conditions including temperature fluctuations exceeding 130°F annually, relentless winter winds, summer drought, and urban pollution. Its adaptability extends to various soil types including clay, rocky soils, and alkaline conditions prevalent throughout the Northern Plains. Once established, 'Moonglow' requires minimal maintenance or supplemental irrigation, thriving with natural precipitation in most locations. For optimal growth, plant in full sun locations with good air circulation. The combination of cold hardiness, dense screening capability, striking silver-blue coloration, and exceptional adaptability to challenging conditions makes 'Moonglow' an outstanding choice for North Dakota landscapes seeking reliable vertical elements and screening solutions that balance aesthetic beauty with environmental resilience.