Grey Owl Eastern Red Cedar

Grey Owl Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana 'Grey Owl')

Grey Owl Eastern Red Cedar, Juniperus virginiana 'Grey Owl', is a broad, low evergreen shrub valued for its soft, silvery gray foliage and wide spreading habit that gently flows across the landscape. Instead of growing tall, it stays relatively low and fans outward, creating a calm, horizontal presence that is easy to tuck under windows, along foundations, or in front of taller evergreens. The cool gray color stands out against green shrubs, brick, and stone, and small berry like cones on female plants add subtle seasonal interest and wildlife appeal in fall and winter.

Distinctive Features

Grey Owl Eastern Red Cedar typically matures around 2 to 3 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide, sometimes wider with age, forming a broad, mounded outline that visually anchors plantings without blocking views. The foliage is a fine textured, silvery gray to blue gray, giving the shrub a soft, misty look from a distance while still reading as clean and tidy. Branches spread outward in layered fans that drape slightly at the tips, creating a relaxed, natural silhouette. Berry like cones on female plants provide food for birds and punctuate the gray foliage with touches of blue in season, adding to its four season appeal.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Prefers full sun for best density, color, and berry production; light shade is tolerated but can lead to a looser habit and less intense gray foliage.
• Soil: Adapts to many well drained soils, including sandy, rocky, or slightly alkaline ground; avoid sites with standing water or heavy, waterlogged clay.
• Water: Water regularly during the first few seasons to establish deep roots, then provide only occasional deep watering during extended dry periods.
• Hardiness: Well suited to regions with cold winters and hot summers when planted in full sun and good drainage.
• Size: Broad, low habit typically 2 to 3 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide at maturity, with potential for greater spread over time.
• Growth Rate: Moderate grower that fills in steadily, developing a wide, dense mound over several years.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point Shrub: Use as a low, wide focal point near entries, in island beds, or at the front of mixed borders where its silvery gray foliage and spreading form draw the eye.
• Foundation Plantings: Excellent beneath windows, along walls, and at building corners where you want evergreen coverage without excessive height.
• Informal Screens and Edges: Plant in staggered groups to create a loose, informal low screen along drives, paths, or property edges.
• Slopes and Banks: Spreading habit and fibrous roots make it useful for stabilizing sunny slopes and berms while reducing the need for mowing.
• Native and Wildlife Gardens: A good fit for native inspired plantings where dense cover and berry production support birds and other wildlife.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: After establishment, water deeply but infrequently, allowing the top of the soil to dry slightly between waterings to encourage strong, drought tolerant roots.
• Pruning: Requires little pruning; if needed, lightly trim in late winter or early spring to shape the outline or keep branches from encroaching on paths or structures.
• Fertilizing: In average garden soils, fertilizing is rarely necessary; if growth appears weak, apply a light dose of balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring.
• Mulching: Apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch around the root zone, keeping it a few inches away from the stems, to conserve moisture, moderate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.
• Protection: Choose a sunny site with good air circulation and drainage; Grey Owl tolerates heat, wind, and urban conditions well once roots are established.

Why Choose Grey Owl Eastern Red Cedar?

• Unique Gray Foliage: Silvery gray leaves provide cool color contrast and a distinctive look that stands out among green evergreens.
• Broad, Low Habit: Wide, spreading form offers excellent coverage and structure without growing too tall for foundation beds.
• Tough and Adaptable: Handles sun, lean soils, and periods of drought once established, making it dependable in demanding sites.
• Wildlife Friendly: Berry like cones and dense cover offer food and shelter for birds and other small wildlife.
• Design Versatility: Works as a single specimen, in informal groups, or as a low, evergreen layer in native, cottage, or contemporary landscapes.

With its wide, low profile, silvery foliage, and durable nature, Grey Owl Eastern Red Cedar is a smart choice when you want a distinctive evergreen shrub that provides year round color, structure, and a reliable focal point in sunny, well drained landscapes.