Alligator Juniper

Alligator Juniper

One of our favorite Junipers, we’ve been smitten by the Alligator Juniper since we first saw them growing in the sky islands of southern Arizona. Named for the scaly pattern the bark which is usually very distinctive and unlike other junipers: hard, dark gray-brown, cracked into small square plates that looks like an alligator’s back. Very drought tolerant and somewhat slow growing, but it makes a sturdy evergreen tree with excellent texture and blue grey leaves that are nearly white on some trees. Extremely drought tolerant once established, but also accepting of some summer water.

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Latin Name: Juniperus deppeana
Site and Soil: Full to 1/2 day sun and well-drained soil.
Hardiness: Hardy to -20 F
Size at Maturity: 15 ft. in height
Pests & Diseases: None that we have seen
Uses: Berries from alligator juniper have been used to flavor gin, for example.
USDA Zone: 5