by Sandra Petersen

Created on: May 24, 2009

For the homeowner who has a sloping section of yard which is difficult to maintain, Blue Rug juniper plants may offer a solution.

A Dioecious Shrub
Blue Rug juniper, or Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii', is a very popular cone-bearing evergreen shrub of the family Cupressaceae. This juniper variety is dioecious, meaning the plants must have both male and female plants in the same area to propagate. The female plant is distinguished by the quarter inch long bluish silver juniper "berries" common to junipers. These "berries" are actually seed-bearing cones. The juniper does not produce blossoms. Because Blue Rug junipers use pollen to propagate, those with allergies to pollen should take care.

Physical Appearance
The bluish green foliage of the Blue Rug juniper has a silver cast to it. In winter, the striking coppery purple of the foliage stands out against the stark white landscape.

This cultivar grows to under six inches but it is not the shortest juniper variety. Mature Blue Rug shrubs can grow to five or six feet in diameter. When planted between four to six feet apart, Blue Rug junipers will have a carpet-like appearance when viewed from above. Some sites recommend spacing young Blue Rug junipers six to ten feet apart.

Best Location For Planting
Blue Rug junipers tolerate winters where there are sub-zero snaps and is recommended for USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3 to 9.

This cultivar will grow somewhat slower when planted in a location with a half day of sun. To avoid the shrubs becoming straggly, they should be situated in a full sun location. The soil should be on the acidic side (5.1 to 6.0 pH). Again, Blue Rug junipers will tolerate soil which is less acidic but will not grow as well as in the right conditions.

One thing which may not be compromised is the amount of drainage in the soil. Blue Rug junipers do not tolerate being left in standing water. They can tolerate drought conditions. For this reason, many landscapers plant these junipers on sloping terrain because the slope allows the soil to drain well.

To encourage young Blue Rug juniper plants to get a good start, mulch around the plants but do not put mulch on the plant crowns. Mulch prevents weeds from growing and competing with the junipers for nutrients and water. Young shoots should be nipped back to encourage branches to spread out.

Reasons For Popularity
Blue Rug juniper plants work well in controlling erosion on sloping terrain. This is the biggest reason for the juniper's popularity.

It is also

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