Juniper ‘Skyrocket’ 20/40cm (P9)

The Juniper ‘Skyrocket’ Juniperus scopulorum is a fantastic choice for gardeners wanting to add height and drama to their outdoor space. This striking variety really does justice to its name with its narrow, towering form that rockets skyward. It’s an excellent pick for compact gardens or anywhere you need a bold vertical feature that won’t gobble up precious ground space.

‘Skyrocket’ grows steadily, eventually reaching 4-6 metres tall whilst remaining pleasantly slender at just 60-90 cm across. This tight, columnar growth habit makes it ideal for narrow spaces or creating an attractive screen that won’t sprawl and dominate your plot. The compact, upward-pointing branches are covered in delicate, scale-like foliage that maintains a gorgeous blue-green hue throughout the year.

This juniper is absolutely bulletproof. It copes brilliantly with our British weather, even flourishing in seaside locations where salt-laden breezes can devastate other plants. It’s also perfectly content in city environments, dealing with pollution and dodgy soil conditions without missing a beat. This resilience means you can get on with enjoying it rather than constantly fussing over it.

Gardeners appreciate ‘Skyrocket’ for its flexibility. It works beautifully as a single specimen plant, maybe in a substantial container on decking. Alternatively, plant several together for an elegant formal hedge or effective windbreak. They look superb in contemporary garden schemes, providing structure and striking blue-green tones. They’re just as comfortable in traditional gardens, where their neat outline creates lovely contrast against looser, flowing plantings.

Bird lovers will be pleased to hear that junipers are brilliant for garden wildlife. The thick foliage provides excellent shelter and nesting opportunities, whilst the tiny blue berries that develop on female plants feed numerous bird species.

‘Skyrocket’ has been winning over gardeners since its introduction in the 1960s. It was chosen for its exceptionally upright habit and appealing colour, and it’s been brightening up gardens ever since.

For gardeners seeking a fuss-free, striking evergreen that knows its place, Juniper ‘Skyrocket’ is an outstanding option. It delivers year-round appeal, structure, and something a bit special to any garden. Whether you’re designing a fresh garden or refreshing an established one, this juniper might be exactly what you need.

Juniper ‘Skyrocket’ is a doddle to care for, which is great news for busy UK gardeners. It thrives in full sun but can handle partial shade too. The main thing is well-drained soil – it doesn’t like wet feet. When you first plant it, water regularly for the first growing season to help it settle in. After that, it’s quite drought-tolerant. You don’t need to feed it much – a light application of slow-release fertiliser in spring is plenty. Pruning isn’t usually necessary, but if you want to tidy it up, do it in late winter or early spring.

Ultimate height
4–8 metres

Time to ultimate height
20–50 years

Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres

🇬🇧 UK Grown. Approx 20-30cm in a 9cm pot.