Taylor Eastern Red Cedar

Taylor Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana 'Taylor')

Taylor Eastern Red Cedar, Juniperus virginiana 'Taylor', is a very narrow, upright evergreen conifer prized for its strong vertical form, dense blue green foliage, and ability to provide height and screening in tight spaces. Naturally columnar and space saving, it grows as a tall, slender pillar that brings instant structure and a clear focal point to sunny, well drained landscapes without taking up much horizontal room. The fine textured sprays of foliage hold close to the trunk from top to bottom, so even a single plant reads as a living column of color in both residential and commercial plantings.

Distinctive Features

Taylor Eastern Red Cedar typically matures around 20 to 30 feet tall and about 3 to 4 feet wide, forming one of the slimmest evergreen profiles available for gardens and property lines. Short, scale like needles in a blue green to rich green hue are borne tightly along upright branches, creating a smooth, textured surface that looks refined and substantial. A strong central leader and naturally tight branching help the plant maintain its narrow outline with very little pruning, even in exposed sites. Its combination of vertical height, clean lines, and small footprint makes it ideal wherever you need a tall evergreen accent or screen but have limited width to work with.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Prefers full sun for best color, density, and strong columnar form; too much shade can lead to thinner foliage and a looser outline.
• Soil: Thrives in average, well drained soils and adapts to sandy, rocky, or slightly alkaline ground; avoid planting where water stands or soil stays consistently wet.
• 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 many temperate regions when planted in full sun and good drainage.
• Size: Very narrow, upright habit generally 20 to 30 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide at maturity, depending on site and climate.
• Growth Rate: Moderate grower that steadily builds height and density without quickly outgrowing its slim footprint.

Ideal Uses

• Vertical Focal Point: Plant as a single specimen near entries, patios, or in open lawn where its tall, slender form and blue green foliage create a striking focal point without occupying much space.
• Privacy Screens and Property Lines: Space in a row to form a slim evergreen screen along fences, driveways, or narrow side yards where width is limited but height and coverage are needed.
• Foundation and Corner Accents: Place at building corners, beside garage doors, or along tall walls to break up long horizontal lines and add strong vertical structure.
• Mixed Evergreen Borders: Combine with rounded shrubs and spreading conifers to create layered structure, using Taylor as the tall, architectural element that pulls the design together.
• Formal and Architectural Plantings: Effective in symmetrical designs, along walks, or in pairs flanking gates and entries where its columnar shape reinforces clean lines and a structured look.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: After establishment, water deeply but infrequently, allowing the top of the soil to dry slightly between waterings to encourage deep, drought tolerant roots.
• Pruning: Requires very little pruning; lightly tip prune in late winter or early spring only as needed to maintain a tidy outline and remove any damaged or wayward branches.
• Fertilizing: In average garden soils, a light application of a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring is usually sufficient if growth appears thin.
• Mulching: Apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch around the root zone, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk, to conserve moisture, moderate soil temperature, and suppress weeds while maintaining good drainage.
• Protection: Choose a sunny, open site with good air circulation and avoid low spots where water may collect around the roots.

Why Choose Taylor Eastern Red Cedar?

• Extremely Narrow Form: One of the slimmest upright evergreens available, ideal for tight spaces where broader trees and shrubs will not fit.
• Strong Vertical Structure: Tall, columnar habit adds instant height, emphasis, and clean lines in the landscape.
• Attractive Evergreen Color: Blue green foliage provides four season color and contrast against brick, stone, and surrounding plantings.
• Space Saving Footprint: Delivers screening and architectural interest without overwhelming small beds or narrow property lines.
• Tough and Adaptable: Handles full sun, lean soils, and periods of drought once established, with relatively low maintenance needs.

With its very narrow, upright habit, rich evergreen foliage, and rugged, easy care nature, Taylor Eastern Red Cedar is an excellent choice when you want a tall evergreen that provides structure, privacy, and a strong vertical focal point in sunny, well drained gardens with limited space.