Montana Moss® Juniper

Juniperus chinensis 'SMNJCHM' USPP 31,704

Proven Winners®

Soft, Feathery Foliage Sets Montana Moss® Juniper Apart from Prickly Varieties
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-9
Grows 2-4 ft Tall, 3-5 ft Wide
Evergreen Year-Round Color and Privacy
Deer Resistant, Pollution Tolerant, Salt Tolerant

$26⁵⁹

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Find your Growing Zone

Plant Size

Quart Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant your Montana Moss® Juniper in a spot that receives full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. While it can handle a little shade, full sun ensures the foliage stays dense and vibrant green.
Soil: This juniper is adaptable but thrives best in well-draining soil. If you have heavy clay or very sandy soil, amending the planting hole with organic matter or compost helps improve drainage and texture, preventing root rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first year, water deeply and regularly to help the root system establish, checking the soil moisture weekly. Once established, Montana Moss® is quite drought-tolerant, but consistent watering during prolonged dry spells will keep the foliage looking its best and prevent stress.

Pruning Tips

This juniper generally requires very little pruning to maintain its low, mounding shape. If you need to tidy it up, prune in early spring before new growth begins. Avoid cutting into old wood that has no green needles, as junipers typically do not regenerate from bare branches.

Fertilizer Needs

Feed your juniper in early spring with a balanced, slow-release evergreen fertilizer to support the season's growth. Avoid fertilizing late in the summer or fall, as this can push tender new growth that may be damaged by winter frost.

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, Low Maintenance, Evergreen, Deer-resistant, Drought resistant, Heat Tolerant, Slopes/Erosion Control, Salt Tolerant, Hedge/Screen, Container Friendly
Hardiness Zone	4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	2-4 ft
Width	3-5 ft
Watering Needs	Low
Growth Rate	Moderate
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	White
Foliage Color	Blue green, Green
Suitable Space	Indoors, Outdoors
Plant Name	Juniper
Botanical Name	Juniperus chinensis 'SMNJCHM'
Species	chinensis
Cultivar	SMNJCHM
Class	Pinopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, CA, HI, ID, MT, PR

Looking for a rugged evergreen that thrives in nearly any garden? The Proven Winners® Montana Moss® Juniper USPP#31,704 (Juniperus chinensis 'SMNJCHM') is a hardy, low-maintenance shrub with soft-textured, mossy-green foliage that stays lush year-round. This broadleaf evergreen conifer is prized for its dense, spreading habit and exceptional adaptability. Growing 2-4 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide, it’s a versatile landscape workhorse perfect for tough spots.

Unlike prickly Junipers, Montana Moss® features feathery, fine-needled foliage that gives a soft, moss-like look. Its dense branching makes it a fantastic groundcover shrub or facer plant, while the tidy mounded shape requires little pruning. This shrub maintains its refreshing green color all year, shrugging off snow, heat, and drought once established.

A selection of Chinese Juniper, this Proven Winners® variety was bred for durability and beauty. Belonging to the Cupressaceae family, it shares kinship with Arborvitae and Cypress. Its resilience makes it a top choice for urban gardens, erosion control, and tough landscape sites where other plants struggle.

Key Features

Evergreen conifer with mossy green foliage
Low-growing, spreading shrub habit
Soft texture compared to typical Junipers
Grows 2-4 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide
Extremely hardy and drought-tolerant once established

Landscaping Uses

Montana Moss® Juniper is a versatile shrub for landscapes needing tough-as-nails plants with year-round appeal.

Groundcover shrub for slopes and banks
Mass plantings for erosion control
Low-maintenance facer plant for taller shrubs or evergreens
Rock gardens and xeriscapes
Border plantings and foundation plantings

Care & Maintenance

Montana Moss® Juniper Bush thrives in USDA zones 4-9. This evergreen conifer is prized for its resilience and year-round color, making it a low-maintenance choice for any landscape.

Planting Time: Best planted in spring or fall
Sun Requirements: Full sun for best color and health
Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil; tolerates clay, rocky soil, and sandy conditions, but does not like poor drainage
Moisture Needs: Drought-tolerant once established; use the Finger Test to check soil moisture. Water regularly the first year to establish roots
Mulch: Apply a 3-4 inch layer of Arborist mulch to keep roots cool and conserve moisture
Fertilization Needs: Light feeding in spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or compost
Pruning Info: Rarely needed - naturally tidy form; light shaping in late winter if desired
Special Perks: Deer-resistant, pest-resistant, low maintenance, drought-tolerant, urban-tough, and tolerant of air pollution

Don’t forget to order your Nature Hills Root Booster for lifelong mycorrhizal root support.

Mossy Marvel in the Garden

Montana Moss® Juniper is the soft-textured evergreen you didn’t know you needed - perfect for slopes, rock gardens, and low-maintenance landscapes. Its year-round mossy green color and durability make it a standout performer in any garden. Order your Montana Moss® Juniper today from Nature Hills and enjoy its beauty and toughness delivered right to your doorstep!

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Growing Zones 4-9

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Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA hardiness zones is Montana Moss® Juniper suitable for?

Montana Moss® Juniper thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4-9. This exceptionally hardy evergreen handles everything from harsh northern winters to hot southern summers. Plant in spring or fall for best establishment in your zone.

How tall and wide will Montana Moss® Juniper get when fully mature?

Montana Moss® Juniper reaches 2-4 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide at maturity. This low, spreading habit makes it perfect for groundcover or as a facer plant in foundation plantings. Shop at Nature Hills for this hardy selection.

Does Montana Moss® Juniper need full sun or can it tolerate partial shade?

Montana Moss® Juniper performs best in full sun for optimal color and health. While it can tolerate some partial shade, you'll get the most vibrant mossy-green foliage and dense growth in sunny locations. Plant it where it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Is Montana Moss® Juniper a fast-growing or slow-growing plant?

Montana Moss® Juniper is a moderate grower, reaching its mature size of 2-4 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide at a steady pace. This hardy evergreen establishes well in zones 4-9 and focuses energy on developing dense branching rather than rapid height gain. Plant in spring or fall for best establishment.

Does Montana Moss® Juniper produce flowers and if so, what color are they and when do they bloom?

Montana Moss® Juniper produces inconspicuous yellowish-green flowers in early spring, though they're so small they're barely noticeable. As a conifer, it's grown for its beautiful mossy foliage rather than showy blooms. Shop this low-maintenance evergreen at naturehills.com.

Is Montana Moss® Juniper deer resistant?

Montana Moss® Juniper is generally deer resistant due to its aromatic evergreen foliage and dense branching habit. Most deer avoid Junipers, making this variety a reliable choice for areas with deer pressure. Plant it in full sun zones 4-9 for best results and maximum deer deterrence.

Does Montana Moss® Juniper require regular pruning or maintenance?

Montana Moss® Juniper requires minimal pruning due to its naturally tidy, mounded growth habit. This low-maintenance shrub grows 2-4 feet tall and maintains its shape with little intervention. Simply remove any dead or damaged branches in late winter or early spring.

Is Montana Moss® Juniper drought tolerant once established?

Yes, Montana Moss® Juniper is extremely drought-tolerant once established. This hardy evergreen thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and shrugs off heat and drought conditions after its first year. Plant in spring or fall and water regularly the first season to help it establish a strong root system.