Images Depict Mature Plants
Blue Rug Juniper
Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii'
Blue Rug Juniper offers stunning silver-blue foliage and a dense, carpet-like growth, making it perfect for ground cover, erosion control, and adding texture to rock gardens. Its drought-tolerant, low-maintenance nature and deer resistance make it ideal for tough growing conditions, including slopes and poor soil areas.
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Blue Rug Juniper for Sale Online
Blue Rug Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii') is a hardy, low-growing evergreen that is prized for its striking silver-blue foliage and excellent ground-covering capabilities. With a mature height of just 4-6 inches and a spread of up to 6-8 feet, this juniper creates a dense, carpet-like mat, making it ideal for erosion control, covering slopes, or adding texture to rock gardens. The silver-blue needles maintain their vibrant color throughout the year, turning slightly purplish during the winter months, adding seasonal interest to your landscape.
In addition to its visual appeal, Blue Rug Juniper is highly adaptable and low-maintenance, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil. This tough plant is drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and able to withstand poor soil conditions, making it an excellent choice for problem areas where other plants may struggle. Its creeping growth habit allows it to fill in large areas quickly, providing an attractive, weed-suppressing solution that requires minimal care. Whether used as ground cover, in rock gardens, or along pathways, Blue Rug Juniper offers both beauty and function to any landscape design.
Beyond its hardiness, Blue Rug Juniper is perfect for slopes and banks where its dense foliage helps prevent soil erosion. Its ability to withstand harsh conditions, including salty soils near coastal areas, makes it a versatile choice for a wide range of climates. With its silvery-blue tones and ground-hugging growth, Blue Rug Juniper adds elegance and resilience to any landscape, making it a go-to solution for gardeners seeking a durable, low-maintenance ground cover.
| Hardiness Zone: | 3 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 6 to 8 inches |
| Mature Width: | 5 to 6 feet |
| Classification: | Evergreen ground-cover |
| Sunlight: | Full Sun |
| Habit: | Spreading Flower |
| Foliage: | Dense Silver-Green Foliage |
| Soil Condition: | Any well drained soil |
| Water Require: | Water well until established. |
| Uses: | A truly deer proof shrub. |
How to Care for Blue Rug Juniper
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Blue Rug Juniper for years to come!
How do I plant my Blue Rug Juniper?
To plant your Blue Rug Juniper, start by selecting a location that receives full sun and has well-drained soil, as these junipers thrive in sunny, dry environments. Begin by digging a hole twice as wide and as deep as the root ball to give the roots plenty of space to establish. Gently remove the plant from its container and loosen the roots before placing it in the hole. Ensure the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface, then backfill with native soil, tamping it down lightly to eliminate air pockets. Water the juniper thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil and encourage strong root development. For ground cover, space multiple Blue Rug Junipers about 3 to 4 feet apart to allow their spreading growth habit to fill in over time. Once your Blue Rug Juniper is planted, apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, being careful to keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk to avoid rot. During the first growing season, water deeply once a week to help establish a strong root system, especially in hot or dry conditions. After the plant is established, Blue Rug Junipers are highly drought-tolerant and will only need occasional watering during extended dry periods. With proper planting and care, your Blue Rug Juniper will provide beautiful, low-maintenance ground cover with its vibrant silver-blue foliage.
How do I fertilize my Blue Rug Juniper?
To fertilize your Blue Rug Juniper, apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 formula, in early spring to encourage healthy growth and vibrant foliage. Spread the fertilizer evenly around the drip line, which is the area directly beneath the outer branches, avoiding direct contact with the trunk to prevent root burn. After applying, water the area thoroughly to help the nutrients penetrate the soil and reach the roots. For best results, fertilize once a year in the spring, as Blue Rug Junipers are low-maintenance plants that typically require minimal feeding to stay healthy. If you prefer an organic approach, you can use compost or well-rotted manure to fertilize your Blue Rug Juniper. Apply a 1-2 inch layer of compost around the base of the plant, ensuring that it doesn’t touch the trunk. Organic fertilizers not only provide essential nutrients but also improve soil structure and enhance water retention, promoting long-term health. Since Blue Rug Junipers are hardy and drought-tolerant, over-fertilizing is unnecessary. A single annual application will help maintain their dense, low-growing habit and beautiful silver-blue foliage throughout the year.
How do I water my Blue Rug Juniper?
To properly water your Blue Rug Juniper, focus on deep, infrequent watering, especially during the first year after planting. Water the shrub deeply once a week to help establish a strong root system, ensuring the soil is thoroughly moistened but not waterlogged. Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out between waterings, as Blue Rug Junipers prefer well-drained soil and can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered. In particularly hot or dry conditions, you may need to increase watering slightly, but be careful to avoid standing water around the plant. Once your Blue Rug Juniper is well-established, it becomes highly drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering. In most climates, natural rainfall will be sufficient, and supplemental watering will only be necessary during extended periods of drought or extreme heat. To help retain moisture and reduce the frequency of watering, apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant, ensuring it doesn't touch the trunk. Proper watering ensures that your Blue Rug Juniper remains healthy and vibrant, providing a beautiful, low-maintenance ground cover in your landscape.
How do I prune my Blue Rug Juniper?
Pruning your Blue Rug Juniper is a minimal but important part of maintaining its health and appearance. The best time to prune is in early spring, just before new growth begins. Start by removing any dead, damaged, or diseased branches to encourage healthy growth and improve airflow through the plant. Use clean, sharp pruning shears to make precise cuts, but avoid cutting too deeply into older wood, as junipers do not regenerate well from heavy pruning. Lightly trimming the outer edges of the shrub will help maintain its low, spreading form and prevent overgrowth without disrupting its natural shape. Since Blue Rug Junipers are typically used as ground cover or for erosion control, heavy pruning is usually unnecessary. However, you may need to occasionally prune back any stray or overreaching branches to keep the plant from encroaching on walkways or other landscape elements. Be careful not to prune too late in the growing season, as this could stimulate new growth that may not harden off before winter. By following these simple pruning guidelines, your Blue Rug Juniper will continue to thrive, offering dense, silver-blue foliage and a well-maintained, low-growing appearance throughout the year.
