Blue Rug Juniper

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

4 - 6 inches

Mature Spread

4 - 6 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 9

Juniper is the go to plant for tough spots. Blue Rug Juniper has a dense, mat forming habit that really hugs the ground and provides a shot of bluish green year round in the garden. Juniperus horizontalis ‘Wiltonii' is at home in many different garden schemes. Used as a specimen in an Asian inspired plan or as a large planting for a sloped location, Blue Rug earns its keep. More salt tolerant than many other plants, making it a good choice along roads or sidewalks that are sometimes salted. In mass plantings, mulch area to control weeds until plants are established.

Blue Rug Junipers are both deer and drought resistant. They have a horizontal growth pattern that can be easily and effectively used in Bonsai. This shrub is a low growing, creeping silvery-blue evergreen shrub with dark blue, berry-like cones that are beneficial for wildlife. Makes a perfect ground cover in sunny areas. Works well as a specimen and in rock gardens. In winter, the foliage turns a purplish color, for additional interest. Excellent choice for erosion control on slopes.

Blue Rug Juniper Care

Junipers prefer a full sun to part shade spot in the garden. They will tolerate just about any soil texture and moisture level as long its it's well-draining. It does prefer acidic soil but can tolerate most anything. After these hard workers are established, they are very drought resistant and make a great addition to rock gardens and sandy areas. Hose off plants frequently to control spider mites. If webs are present, trim off the affected branches.  The pH can be anywhere from  5.5 to 8.0. Fertilizing is not needed often. A well balanced, slow release fertilizer at planting is all that is recommended.

Pruning is not an issue for the low maintenance super star. The wide reaching, low growing branches are desirable and should be left to grow naturally. Planting in the most sun possible will help this evergreen to retain the blueness of its leaves. 

Blue Rug Juniper Spacing

BLue Rug Juniper may be low growing with a height of only 3-6 feet, but the spread is very impressive. Branches can reach out 6-8 feet. When planting many together, spacing of 6 feet on center is needed if a dense mat of ground cover is desired.