The Taylor Juniper (Juniperus virginiana ‘Taylor’) is a popular, narrow, upright evergreen. This cultivar of the Eastern Red Cedar is highly valued for creating privacy screens or adding a striking vertical accent due to its distinct, columnar habit. Understanding its growth rate is crucial for landscape planning, especially when calculating the time needed to establish a dense visual barrier. The growth speed dictates placement decisions, ensuring the plant has enough space to reach its mature size without crowding nearby structures.
The Specific Growth Rate and Mature Size
The Taylor Juniper is classified as a moderate to fast-growing evergreen. Once established, it primarily exhibits an annual vertical growth rate of one to two feet. Under optimal conditions, including full sun and consistent moisture, this rate can accelerate to up to three feet of new vertical growth in a single season. This rate places it on the faster end of the spectrum for columnar junipers, allowing for quick height acquisition.
This cultivar achieves significant height while maintaining a slender profile. The ultimate mature height typically ranges between 20 and 30 feet, creating a statuesque presence in the landscape. In contrast to its height, the mature width remains compact, usually spreading only three to five feet.
Time to maturity is often measured by the time it takes to reach a functional height for privacy screening. Based on an average annual growth of 1.5 feet, the juniper can reach approximately 15 feet tall in ten years. Growth is most vigorous during the establishment phase and the subsequent 10 to 15 years, after which the rate gradually slows as the plant approaches its maximum genetic height.
Environmental Influences on Growth Speed
The growth potential of the Taylor Juniper is directly influenced by environmental factors, with sunlight being the most significant determinant of growth speed and foliage density. The plant requires full sun, defined as at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. When placed in partial shade, the annual growth rate will noticeably slow down, and the characteristic silvery-blue-green foliage may appear less vibrant.
Geographical placement must fall within the appropriate hardiness zones for the plant to thrive. The Taylor Juniper is cold-hardy, successfully growing across USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9. Planting outside this range, especially in areas with extreme cold, causes stress that significantly impedes the plant’s ability to allocate energy toward vertical growth.
Soil composition influences the tree’s health and growth speed. While the Taylor Juniper is adaptable and tolerates a variety of soil types, including clay, the soil must be well-draining. The plant is intolerant of saturated or waterlogged conditions, which can lead to root rot and severely stunt growth. Proper site selection, ensuring the location is not a low-lying area where water collects, is a prerequisite for achieving optimal growth.
Practical Care for Maximizing Growth Potential
Active care, particularly during the initial years, is necessary to ensure the Taylor Juniper achieves its fastest growth rate. Proper planting requires well-prepared soil and ensuring the root flare is level with the surrounding ground. This minimizes stress and encourages rapid establishment. Deep, consistent watering is important during the first two growing seasons to promote the development of an extensive root system.
After establishment, the tree becomes highly drought-tolerant, requiring minimal supplemental water. However, deep watering during extended drought periods will maintain vigor. Fertilizer should be approached cautiously, as the Taylor Juniper is not a heavy feeder. Applying a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer once in early spring can support growth, especially in nutrient-poor soils.
Avoid over-fertilizing, as this encourages excessive, soft new growth that is more vulnerable to environmental stress or disease. Pruning needs are minimal due to the plant’s naturally dense, columnar structure. Necessary pruning is usually limited to removing dead or diseased branches, or light shaping to maintain a tidy appearance. Pruning is not used as a method to stimulate vertical growth.