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Buffalo Juniper

$5995 $7995
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Risk-Free 1 Year Warranty
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Your Plants are Guaranteed to Grow

Your plants are guaranteed to arrive happy & healthy with our 1 Year Warranty. Your order will arrive healthy and stay healthy while they adapt to your climate. If your tree arrives damaged or dies within 30 days, we'll replace it for free. If it dies after 30 days, but before 1 year, we will replace it for just 50% of the current price.

Free Shipping on All Orders

Relax... we've got you covered with free shipping on every order! We ship out so many huge plants, we've negotiated a low rate with our carriers... and we pass those savings on to you! Your plants will ship out the next business day... expertly packed so that your plants will arrive happy and healthy!

Is Now a Good Time to Plant?

Yes! Fall is one of the best times to plant!

Landscaping experts often recommend planting in fall instead of waiting until spring. Here’s why:

  • Cooler weather puts less stress on newly planted trees and shrubs.
  • Fall soil is still warm, which helps roots grow and get established.
  • Cooler temperatures mean less water is lost through the leaves, making it easier for plants to stay hydrated.
  • Even after top growth slows for winter, roots continue developing below ground.
  • Fall weather often brings more rain and less heat, making new plants easier to care for.
  • By spring, your plants already have a head start. Their established roots can support strong new leaves, branches, and flowers.
  • Trees planted in spring must establish their roots while also dealing with rising temperatures and summer heat.

Plant this fall, and your trees can spend the cooler months getting settled instead of waiting until spring to get started!

Planting your Buffalo Juniper

Planting Instructions for Buffalo Juniper

  1. Choosing the Right Location: Plant Buffalo Juniper in full to partial sun in USDA zones 3 through 7. Full sun gives the best growth and densest coverage, while partial shade slows spread and thins the foliage.
  2. Soil Preparation: Plant in well-drained soil, since standing water around the roots is more harmful than dry spells. Loosen the soil across the planting area and clear weeds first.
  3. Planting: Dig each hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep, setting plants level with the ground. Buffalo stays 1 to 2 feet tall but spreads 8 to 10 feet wide. Space plants 5 to 6 feet apart for groundcover, or closer for quicker coverage.
  4. Mulching and First Watering: Water deeply right after planting to settle the soil. Spread 2 to 3 inches of mulch around and between plants, keeping it a few inches away from the stems, to hold moisture and keep weeds down while the plants fill in.

Care Instructions

  1. Watering: Water regularly while it becomes established, then it needs less frequent watering. Mature plants handle hot summers and dry weather better than many shrubs.
  2. Fertilizing: Junipers need little fertilizer. If growth is weak, apply a light slow-release fertilizer for evergreens in early spring. Rich soil and heavy feeding are not needed and can cause soft, floppy growth.
  3. Pest and Disease Monitoring: Watch for tip blight, which browns branch tips in wet springs, and prune out affected shoots in dry weather. Check for bagworms in early summer and spider mites during hot, dry spells, which cause dull, speckled foliage. Good air flow and dry foliage prevent most problems.

Maintenance and Long-Term Care

  1. Pruning: Little pruning is needed. Trim branches that reach onto paths back to a side shoot. Avoid cutting into old, bare wood, since junipers rarely regrow from it.
  2. Winter Care: Buffalo handles cold winters very well. The soft, feathery foliage may darken slightly in very cold weather but stays green and full.
  3. Growing in Containers: Buffalo looks beautiful in large outdoor pots with its branches spilling over the sides. Use a container with drainage holes and water more often than in-ground plants.

Additional Tips for Growing Buffalo Juniper

  1. Retaining Walls: Plant near the top of a wall or raised bed and let the branches spill over to soften stone and concrete.
  2. Slopes: It is easier to care for than grass on hillsides that are hard or unsafe to mow. Due to state plant regulations, it cannot ship to California.
What Customers say about the Buffalo Juniper:

The Buffalo Juniper thrives in Zones 3-7

Growing Zones for the Buffalo Juniper

If you live in the green area above, we recommend the Buffalo Juniper.

Your Growing Zone
Recommended Zones 3-7
Mature Height 1-2 ft.
Mature Width 8-10 ft.
Cannot Ship To CA
Sunlight Full to Partial Sun
Botanical Name Juniperus sabina 'Buffalo'

Plants that Make a Difference

For 20+ years, our team has shipped healthy, established plants to gardeners like you- all across the country. Every plant is selected and cared for by our plant experts before it ships to your door.

  • 20+ Years Experience

  • Superior Quality

  • Free Shipping on All Orders

  • Guaranteed to Grow

Beware- not all Buffalo Junipers are the same.

Be sure to get superior groundcovers, grown by experts.

Better Roots Make Stronger Plants: Some nurseries send you "bare root" groundcovers to save on shipping. Even worse, others have started digging them right out of the ground before shipping. This causes major transplant shock and long-term damage. We send you Buffalo Junipers in soil-filled containers- ensuring a well-developed root system that is ready to spread!

Healthy Plants: We've seen other nurseries grow tall groundcovers in tiny pots to save on shipping. This leads to a "root bound" plant, where the roots have outgrown their pot- they cannot absorb water and nutrients. They quickly dry out during shipment, leading to an unhealthy plant.

Buffalo Juniper creates a thick layer of year-round green- a hardy groundcover for slopes, borders and retaining walls.

  • Stays low at about 1-2 ft. tall and spreads 8-10 ft. wide
  • Soft, feathery evergreen foliage that stays green all winter
  • Great for slopes: covers exposed soil and spills over retaining walls
  • Drought tolerant once established, and hardy in zones 3-7

Not all plants are created equal

The Difference Is in the Roots

Every plant we ship has grown in a nursery container with its roots protected, so it arrives healthy, established and ready to thrive in your yard.

A full, branched Nationwide Plants tree in a nursery pot next to a thin bare-root tree with exposed roots Ours: container grown Theirs: bare root
Nationwide Plants Other Nurseries
How it's grown Grown in a nursery container, roots protected the whole time Pulled or dug from the field, tearing fragile roots
How it arrives Arrives in its pot with soil intact Arrives bare root, exposed and drying out
Before shipping Growing naturally until it ships Held dormant in a cooler, then shocked by a hot shipping box
Root health Strong, well-developed roots with room to grow Crammed into a small pot until it's root bound
Height Measured from the top of the soil Often includes the pot and roots
After planting Settles in quickly with less transplant shock Arrives stressed and can take years to recover, if it does

The height you see is the height you plant.

We measure every plant from the top of the soil, not the bottom of the pot. Many nurseries include the pot and roots, so a "5–6 ft." tree from them might stand only 4 ft. tall once it's planted.

Comparisons reflect common practices across the online plant industry, not any single company.

Honest Measurements: Some nurseries measure plants including the pot and roots, so the plant you receive is much smaller than you expected. We measure all of our plants from the soil line, so the height you see is what you can expect after planting.

From our nursery to your door

How We Ship Your Plants

Every order is hand-selected, watered and carefully packed so it arrives healthy and ready to plant. Here's what happens after you place your order.

  1. Hand-Picked for You

    Our team selects the best plant available for your order. For privacy trees, that's the tallest and fullest. For fruit trees, it's the best branched.

    Why it matters: Many online nurseries ship whatever is next in the row.

  2. A Deep Drink Before the Trip

    Every plant gets a thorough watering right before it's packed, so it starts the journey fully hydrated.

  3. Roots Sealed In

    We wrap the pot and roots in plastic to lock in moisture, so your plant has water to drink all the way to your door.

    Why it matters: Bare-root plants are often shipped with their roots exposed and drying out.

  4. Braced for the Ride

    Cardboard inserts are secured inside every box to hold your plant in place, so it won't slide, tip or get damaged in transit.

  5. Shipped Only by FedEx

    We ship your trees exclusively with FedEx. We've found they deliver the fastest and handle live plants the most gently.

And if anything goes wrong, every plant is backed by our 1 Year Warranty.

Healthy Roots Make a Huge Difference

  • Never buy bare-root plants. These trees are starved of nutrients, and have a low survival rate.
  • Beware of nurseries cut corners by growing in small pots. These "rootbound" plants are weak, struggle to absorb nutrients, and die quickly after planting.
  • Some nurseries try to sell oversized plants, but chop off vital roots so they can cram the rootball into a narrow box to save on shipping!

You Want Buffalo Junipers Grown by Experts

Some nurseries ship small, weak groundcovers grown in tiny pots to save money. These "root bound" plants struggle after planting and take much longer to fill in.

Nationwide Plants only sends you strong Buffalo Junipers, selected and cared for by our plant experts, with healthy, developed root systems. That means they settle in quickly and cover bare ground sooner.

Read more about the Buffalo Juniper

Buffalo Juniper: Tough Evergreen Groundcover for Slopes, Borders, and Easy Landscaping

Create a thick layer of year-round green with the Buffalo Juniper. This hardy, low-growing evergreen spreads wide across the ground, making it a great choice for slopes, rock gardens, borders, retaining walls, and other areas where grass or more delicate plants may struggle.

Its soft, feathery foliage stays green through every season, while its spreading branches help cover bare soil and soften hard landscape edges. Once established, Buffalo Juniper handles heat, cold, dry weather, and many difficult growing conditions with very little care.

Why You'll Love the Buffalo Juniper

Year-Round Evergreen Color: Soft green foliage stays attractive through spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Excellent Groundcover: Its low, wide growth habit helps fill open spaces and create a dense carpet of greenery.

Great for Slopes and Erosion Control: Spreading branches help cover bare soil on hillsides and embankments.

Low Maintenance: Once established, Buffalo Juniper needs very little pruning or extra care.

Drought Tolerant: Mature plants can handle dry weather better than many other landscape shrubs.

Tough in Many Climates: Buffalo Juniper performs well through heat, cold, and even some coastal conditions.

Container Friendly: Its spreading branches look beautiful spilling over the sides of large outdoor pots.

A Low-Growing Evergreen That Covers Ground Fast

The biggest benefit of Buffalo Juniper is its wide, spreading shape. Instead of growing tall, it grows outward and forms a thick layer of evergreen foliage.

This makes it useful for covering open soil, filling large planting beds, and adding green color in places where lawn grass may be hard to maintain.

Great for Slopes and Erosion Control

Buffalo Juniper is a smart choice for slopes and banks because its spreading branches help cover exposed soil. This plant growth can help reduce soil movement during heavy rain and makes steep areas look more finished.

It is also easier to care for than grass on areas that may be hard or unsafe to mow.

Where to Plant Buffalo Juniper

Slopes and Hillsides: Plant it on sunny banks to create low-growing coverage and help with erosion control.

Rock Gardens: Its soft evergreen foliage pairs well with stone, gravel, and other drought-tolerant plants.

Walkways and Borders: Use Buffalo Juniper along paths or garden beds for low, year-round texture.

Retaining Walls: Let the branches spill over the edge for a soft, natural cascading look.

Raised Beds: Plant it near the edge so the foliage can trail down and soften sharp lines.

Mass Plantings: Plant several together to cover a larger area with dependable evergreen color.

Large Containers: Grow Buffalo Juniper in outdoor pots to add trailing green foliage to patios, decks, porches, and entryways.

Buffalo Juniper Sun and Soil Needs

Sunlight: Plant Buffalo Juniper in full sun for the best growth and dense evergreen coverage.

Soil: This juniper grows well in many soil types as long as the soil drains well. Avoid areas where water stays around the roots for long periods.

Watering: Water regularly while your Buffalo Juniper becomes established. Once the roots are settled in, it becomes more drought tolerant and usually needs less frequent watering.

Tough Enough for Challenging Landscapes

Buffalo Juniper is known for being a strong, dependable landscape plant. Once established, it can handle hot summers, cold winters, dry weather, and many common landscape conditions.

It can also perform well in some coastal areas, making it useful for landscapes that deal with wind, dry soil, and tougher growing conditions.

Beautiful Cascading Growth for Walls and Containers

The spreading branches of Buffalo Juniper naturally flow outward and downward. When planted near a retaining wall, raised bed, or large container, the foliage can spill over the edge for a soft, layered look.

This makes Buffalo Juniper a great way to add evergreen color while also softening stone, concrete, and other hard surfaces.

Easy Care With Very Little Pruning

Buffalo Juniper naturally grows into a wide, spreading shape and usually needs very little pruning. Give it plenty of sun, well-drained soil, and regular water while the roots establish.

After that, this tough evergreen can provide dependable landscape coverage without demanding a lot of your time.

Dependable Evergreen Coverage Season After Season

If you need a tough groundcover for a sunny, hard-to-plant area, Buffalo Juniper is an excellent choice. Its soft green foliage, wide-spreading growth, drought tolerance, and simple care make it useful for both small garden beds and large landscape projects.

Plant Buffalo Juniper for year-round green color, easy ground coverage, and dependable beauty with very little maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Buffalo Juniper

How big does Buffalo Juniper get?

Buffalo Juniper stays low at about 1 to 2 feet tall but spreads 8 to 10 feet wide. Instead of growing tall, it grows outward and forms a thick layer of soft, feathery evergreen foliage. That makes it excellent for covering open soil and large planting beds.

How far apart do you plant Buffalo Juniper?

Plant Buffalo Juniper about 5 to 6 feet apart for groundcover. With a mature spread of 8 to 10 feet, the plants will knit together into a dense carpet of green. Plant closer if you want quicker coverage, and mulch the gaps while the plants fill in.

What zones does Buffalo Juniper grow in?

Buffalo Juniper grows in USDA zones 3 through 7. It handles cold winters very well and stays evergreen through the season. It also tolerates hot summers and dry weather once established, making it a dependable choice across much of the northern and central U.S.

Does Buffalo Juniper need full sun?

Buffalo Juniper grows in full to partial sun, but full sun gives the best growth and the densest evergreen coverage. In partial shade it may spread more slowly and look thinner. For the thickest carpet, plant it in a bright, open location.

Is Buffalo Juniper good for slopes?

Yes, Buffalo Juniper is a smart choice for slopes and banks. Its spreading branches cover exposed soil and help reduce soil movement during heavy rain. It is also easier to care for than grass on hillsides that may be hard or unsafe to mow.

Is Buffalo Juniper drought tolerant?

Yes, mature Buffalo Juniper handles dry weather better than many landscape shrubs. Water regularly while it becomes established, then it needs less frequent watering. Plant it in well-drained soil, since standing water around the roots is more harmful than dry spells.

Can Buffalo Juniper grow in a container?

Yes, Buffalo Juniper looks beautiful in large outdoor pots, where its spreading branches spill over the sides. It adds trailing green foliage to patios, decks, porches, and entryways. Use a container with drainage holes and water more often than in-ground plants.

Does Buffalo Juniper stay green all winter?

Yes, Buffalo Juniper is evergreen and keeps its soft green foliage through spring, summer, fall, and winter. It gives slopes, beds, and walls year-round color. In very cold weather the foliage may darken slightly, but it stays green and full.

Can Buffalo Juniper spill over a retaining wall?

Yes, Buffalo Juniper's spreading branches naturally flow outward and downward. Planted near the top of a retaining wall or raised bed, the foliage spills over the edge for a soft, layered look. It is a great way to soften stone and concrete with evergreen color.

Can Buffalo Juniper ship to California?

No, Buffalo Juniper cannot be shipped to California (CA) due to state plant regulations. California gardeners should choose a groundcover that is permitted in their state. Customers in every other state can order it as usual and plant it in their landscape.
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