Juniperus conferta 'Blue Lagoon'

'Blue Lagoon' is a cultivar of j. conferta. It is a broad leafed evergreen that grows in a compact, low growing habit forming a tight mat, which makes it an excellent choice as a ground cover. This variety of juniper is the easiest to grow, is more residual and will adapt to more harsh planting sites than other junipers. The plant is also grown as an ornamental because the medium bluish-green summer color of the foliage is transformed in winter to a beautiful plum hue. This sturdy plant meets most of the challenges of some of the most difficult garden areas. This cultivar was created at the Aritaki Arboretum, Saitama Prefecture, Japan and cuttings of this plant were brought back to the U.S. National Arboretum and propagated. The plant was named ‘Blue Lagoon’ and released in 1992

'Blue Lagoon" does well in sandy or poor soils, and tolerates drought and high salt levels. Avoid planting in areas of excessive moisture or in poorly drained soils. It grows best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade.  'Blue Lagoon' has a low growing, spreading habit of 8 to 10 inches a year making it an excellent choice for erosion control, especially in sandy locations along coasts or dunes, and for retaining walls where it will cascade over the wall. It forms a tight mat at maturity and is extremely drought- and salt-tolerant.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. It has shown immunity to rodent damage.  See the "Pests of Conifers" fact sheet to the left.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common juniper diseases and insect pests.

More information on Juniperus conferta.