Characteristics
| Hardiness zone | 3a |
|---|---|
| Foliage type | evergreen |
| Plant form | spreading |
| Mature height | 8 inches |
| Spread | 7 feet |
| Light requirements | full sun to partial shade |
| Moisture requirements | dry to moist |
| Plant origin | North American native |
Blue Rug Juniper
Botanical name: Juniperus horizontalis ‘Wiltonii’
A stunning groundcover evergreen for home landscape use, featuring steel blue foliage which takes on a purplish tinge in winter, wide spreading and ground-hugging; extremely adaptable and hardy; excellent for trailing over walls.
Ornamental Features
Blue Rug Juniper has attractive silvery blue foliage. The scale-like leaves are highly ornamental and turn plum purple in fall. It produces blue berries from late spring to late winter. The flowers are not ornamentally significant.
Landscape Attributes
Blue Rug Juniper is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a ground-hugging habit of growth. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which should be used to full effect.
This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Blue Rug Juniper is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Mass Planting, Rock/Alpine Gardens, Border Edging, General Garden Use, Groundcover
Planting and Growing
Blue Rug Juniper will grow to be about 8 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 7 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.
This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selection of a native North American species.
