Grey Owl Juniper Bush

Juniperus virginiana 'Grey Owl'

Nature Hills Nursery

Silvery-Blue Foliage with Vase Shape Creates Year-Round Garden Elegance
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 2-9
Grows 2-3 ft Tall, 4-6 ft Wide
Evergreen Year-Round Color and Privacy
Native, Pollinator-Friendly Shrub

$49³³ $84⁷⁵

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Find your Growing Zone

Plant Size

#3 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Give your 'Grey Owl' at least six hours of direct sun daily for the best silver-blue color and dense growth habit. Partial shade is acceptable, but the foliage color will be duller and the growth less compact.
Soil: This juniper is highly adaptable, thriving in average, well-draining soil. If you have heavy clay, amend the area with compost and coarse sand to improve drainage, as junipers dislike sitting in wet conditions.

Watering Requirements

Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system; aim for consistent moisture, but never soggy. Once established, 'Grey Owl' is very drought-tolerant. Inconsistent watering, particularly during hot, dry spells, can lead to scorched foliage tips and a stressed appearance, making it more susceptible to pests.

Pruning Tips

'Grey Owl' Juniper requires very little pruning, as it maintains its attractive, spreading shape naturally. It does not bloom, so you don't need to worry about old or new wood. If a branch grows too far out or becomes damaged, use sharp bypass shears to selectively remove it back to a main branch or trunk, taking care to maintain the natural, layered look. The goal is simple shaping and cleanup, not heavy shearing.

Fertilizer Needs

Feed your juniper in early spring with a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer formulated for trees and shrubs, following the package instructions. Junipers are light feeders and often do well without much supplemental fertilizer. What to avoid: Do not apply high-nitrogen fertilizer late in the season (after mid-summer), as this stimulates tender new growth that will be damaged by fall frosts.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Evergreen, Low Maintenance, Deer-resistant, Salt Tolerant, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant, Hedge/Screen, Container Friendly, Non-invasive
Hardiness Zone	2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	2-3 ft
Width	4-6 ft
Watering Needs	Low
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Spreading, Upright
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	White
Fragrant	Yes
Native	Yes
Suitable Space	Indoors, Outdoors
Plant Name	Juniper
Botanical Name	Juniperus virginiana 'Grey Owl'
Species	virginiana
Cultivar	Grey Owl
Class	Pinopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, CA, HI, ID, MT, PR

Superb color and form, the Grey Owl Juniper (Juniperus virginiana 'Grey Owl') is a needled groundcover evergreen. Its colorful foliage and silvery berry-like cones will provide year-round appeal for you and your wildlife!

Your Grey Owl Juniper is at once both elegant and refined. The gently ascending branches rise up and then slightly dip, creating a soft, restful feel amid other plantings. Silver-tinted, green needles lend the foliage an airy, bluish-hue that appears far more sophisticated than other common evergreens.

Grey Owl Juniper has an attractive, spreading habit with a slight vase shape. The female Grey Owl Juniper is known for the copious blue cones it produces in summer that persist into winter! The berry-like cones will be an attraction for your wildlife, especially the birds who come to nest in the dense foliage. In colder climates, the tips of the branches will also transition to purple for the winter months.

Hardy throughout USDA planting zones 4 to 9, grows to a modest 2-3 feet in height, and spreads an impressive 5-6 feet in width, filling your landscape with unique fresh color and year-round appeal!

Landscape Application:

Silvery gray and blue, the Grey Owl Juniper creates a pop of unexpected color that perfectly offsets all other landscaping plants! Showing off among chartreuse and gold plants, among silver and white variegated shrubs in Moon Gardens, and adds contrast to a dark foliage garden!

Mixing beautifully in formal to informal settings, from ornamental grass to perennials, to wildflowers and flowering shrubs. Grey Owl happily rambles around Roses or mixes with other evergreen shrubs and Juniper groundcovers! Create a magnificent Rock Garden, and restful and calming Zen Gardens, and add unique color that goes well with hardscaping and most home siding colors.

This Creeping Juniper slowly spreads to completely fill in bare and unsightly spaces. Additionally, as an evergreen, you can count on it providing ground coverage all year round. Wonderful in mass plantings or used to edge taller varieties, you'll love this rugged, durable solution to soften the look of slopes and retaining walls, use Creeping Juniper.

Plant Groundcover Juniper at the top of retaining walls. You'll be thrilled to watch the creeping habit grow downward to create a beautiful hillside of delightful blue foliage. Slowing erosion and rainwater runoff and transforming an unsafe, hard-to-mow hillside into a showy landscape feature!

Colorful Silver-Tinted Awl-Like Foliage
Evergreen Year-Round Interest
Attractive Silvery Cones For Interest & Wildlife
Spreading Vase-Shaped Groundcover Habit
Excellent Edging, Mass Plantings, Groundcover & Commercial Plantings

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Grey Owl performs best in full sun, but is tolerant of a variety of conditions, and is considered a long-lived and easy-to-care-for shrub. Growing best in any kind of well-drained soil and moderate to low moisture environments.

Pay attention to watering the first season. Apply a medium amount of water on a regular basis, if you don't receive adequate rainfall. After Juniper is established, it becomes waterwise. However, we advise that you protect your investment with water during long periods of drought.

Overall, Grey Owl is relatively trouble-free and a low-maintenance shrub you can leave to grow naturally beautiful. Prune Juniper shrubs in the early spring to shear up any wayward branches. Even though deer don't prefer the taste or texture of Juniper, you'll want to spray repellent on planting day. If you live with deer in your area, you need to train them to leave your plants alone. Reapply as directed by the label.

Full Sun & Some Afternoon Shade
Well-Drained Soils Of All Kinds
Moderate to Low Moisture Needs & Drought-Tolerant
Prune Early Spring
Deer, Pest & Disease-Resistant & Coastal, Heat & Cold-Tolerant

As popular as evergreen shrubs are for home landscapes, few are as endearing as the Grey Owl Juniper. With its superior color, elegant form, and appeal to wildlife, Grey Owl Juniper will be both a practical and charming addition to your home. Order now at NatureHills.com!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What planting zones is the Grey Owl Juniper hardy in?

Grey Owl Juniper is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9. This wide hardiness range means it can tolerate winter temperatures from -30°F to 20°F. Plant in spring or fall for best establishment before extreme temperatures arrive.

How tall and wide does a Grey Owl Juniper get at maturity?

Grey Owl Juniper reaches 2-3 feet tall and spreads 5-6 feet wide at maturity. This low, spreading growth habit makes it perfect for groundcover applications in zones 4-9. Plan for its impressive width when spacing plants available at naturehills.com.

Is Grey Owl Juniper a fast-growing or slow-growing shrub?

Grey Owl Juniper is a slow-growing shrub that reaches 2-3 feet tall and spreads 5-6 feet wide over time. This creeping juniper gradually fills spaces rather than providing quick coverage. Plan for patience with this variety, but you'll be rewarded with dense, long-lasting groundcover.

Is Grey Owl Juniper deer resistant?

Grey Owl Juniper is generally deer resistant due to its aromatic oils and needle-like foliage that deer typically avoid. The dense, spreading habit (5-6 feet wide) also makes it less appealing to browse. Plant in open areas where deer pressure is moderate for best results.

How drought tolerant is Grey Owl Juniper once established?

Grey Owl Juniper is highly drought tolerant once established, typically after its first growing season. This hardy evergreen thrives in zones 4-9 with minimal watering needs. Water deeply but infrequently during dry spells for best results, available at naturehills.com.

Grey Owl Juniper Bush

Juniperus virginiana 'Grey Owl'