Mother Lode Creeping Juniper

Mother Lode Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Mother Lode')

Mother Lode Creeping Juniper, Juniperus horizontalis 'Mother Lode', is a very low, ground hugging evergreen prized for its intense golden foliage and ability to carpet sunny slopes, banks, and rock gardens with year round color. New growth emerges bright yellow to golden chartreuse and hugs the ground in a flat, spreading mat that flows over rocks, walls, and edges. As temperatures cool, the foliage often develops coppery orange tones, so plantings shift from golden summer color to warm, bronzy shades in fall and winter, creating a four season focal point at ground level in well drained, sunny sites.

Distinctive Features

Mother Lode Creeping Juniper typically grows only 2 to 4 inches tall while spreading 4 to 6 feet or more over time, forming a very low, dense carpet that conforms closely to the contours of the soil and stone beneath it. The foliage consists of fine, scale like leaves packed tightly along trailing stems, giving the plant a soft, feathery texture up close and a bold sweep of color from a distance. In full sun, the golden tones are strongest, especially on fresh growth in spring and early summer, while cooler weather brings out richer amber and bronze highlights. Its combination of extremely low profile, wide spread, and strong color makes it ideal wherever you want a creeping groundcover that also functions as a focal point in the landscape.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Prefers full sun for best golden color and dense growth; partial shade leads to greener foliage and a thinner, less vibrant carpet.
• Soil: Thrives in well drained, often sandy or rocky soils; avoid heavy, waterlogged sites to prevent root problems.
• Water: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish roots, then water only during extended dry spells; naturally drought tolerant once established in suitable soil.
• Hardiness: Well suited to typical juniper growing regions when sited in full sun and good drainage.
• Size: Very low growing, generally 2 to 4 inches tall with a spread of 4 to 6 feet or more over time.
• Growth Rate: Moderate spreader that steadily knits together into a dense, weed suppressing mat over several seasons.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point Groundcover: Plant around boulders, at the front of beds, or near patios where its golden foliage forms a low, eye catching focal point that ties plantings together.
• Slopes and Banks: Excellent for stabilizing sunny slopes, berms, and embankments where turf is difficult to maintain and erosion control is needed.
• Rock and Gravel Gardens: Natural fit for rock gardens, dry riverbeds, and gravel plantings where it weaves between stones and softens hard edges.
• Path and Wall Edging: Use along walks, driveways, and retaining walls to create a neat evergreen edge that spills gently over edges and never needs mowing.
• Mass Plantings: Ideal for large scale groundcover plantings in sunny residential or commercial landscapes where a durable, colorful living mulch is desired.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: After establishment, water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil surface to dry slightly between waterings to encourage deep, drought tolerant roots.
• Pruning: Requires minimal pruning; lightly trim stray or overhanging stems in late winter or early spring to keep edges crisp and off paths, steps, or hardscape.
• Fertilizing: In average soils, a light application of a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring is usually enough to support healthy growth.
• Mulching: Mulch newly planted areas to suppress weeds and conserve moisture until plants spread; mature carpets often act as their own living mulch and need little additional material.
• Protection: Choose a sunny site with good air circulation and drainage; avoid spots where water collects or where snow and ice slide off roofs directly onto plants.

Why Choose Mother Lode Creeping Juniper?

• Intense Golden Color: Bright yellow to golden foliage provides a strong splash of color and seasonal interest in sunny plantings.
• Extremely Low Profile: Very low, ground hugging habit offers coverage without blocking views or windows.
• Four Season Interest: Evergreen foliage shifts from golden tones to warm copper and bronze in cooler weather, keeping plantings visually interesting year round.
• Rugged and Adaptable: Handles sun, lean soils, and periods of drought once established, making it useful in challenging, exposed sites.
• Reduced Maintenance: Dense foliage suppresses weeds, reduces the need for mulch, and never requires mowing, making it a practical long term groundcover choice.

With its ultra low, spreading habit, vibrant golden foliage, and tough, easy care nature, Mother Lode Creeping Juniper is an excellent choice for turning sunny, well drained problem spots into cohesive, colorful planting areas that stay attractive through every season.