Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip'

‘Blue Chip’ creeping juniper is a low-growing, needled evergreen shrub or groundcover in the cypress family (Cupressaceae). The species is native to the northern part of North America. This cultivar was discovered in Denmark in the early 1990s.

The species is found growing in rocky or sandy soils, from rocky outcrops to streams, making this shrub fairly adaptable to various soil types and pH as long as the soil is well drained. It does best, however, in dry, sandy soil. It is drought and deer-tolerant and fairly salt tolerant. It prefers full sun and tolerates hot weather, moderately poor soils, and many air pollutants found in urban areas. This creeping juniper cultivar is a mounding shrub that tends to grow at a moderate rate in a spreading fashion, reaching 8 to 10 inches tall and 8 to 10 feet wide. Plant 6 to 12 feet apart.

The tips of the silvery blue-green foliage take on a mauve to deep purple tinge in winter, bringing winter interest to the landscape. It produces small, round, blue, berry-like cones.

Use this cultivar as a ground cover on slopes, where it can help control soil erosion, or in rock gardens or retaining walls. It works well along walkways or foundations and as a barrier or border feature. It also grows well in coastal conditions. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Like most junipers, ‘Blue Chip’ is subject to infestation by aphids, bagworms, caterpillars, false spider mites, juniper tip mites, spruce spider mites, juniper and other scales, and juniper webworm. It is also susceptible to blights and some fungal diseases. A wet location may cause root rot.

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

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Juniperus horizontalis.