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Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Forest'

Previously known as:

  • Juniperus sabina 'Blue Forest'
Phonetic Spelling
jew-NIP-er-us hor-ih-zon-TAL-iss
Description

‘Blue Forest’ creeping juniper is a low-growing, dwarf evergreen shrub in the cypress family (Cupressaceae). The species is native to the northern part of North America, where it grows 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.

‘Blue Forest’ is drought- and deer-tolerant and fairly salt tolerant. It tolerates hot and relatively dry conditions, moderately poor soils, and many air pollutants found in urban areas. 

This cultivar grows in a spreading, prostrate form with blue-green, plume-like, soft-textured, upright branches. It reaches a height of between 9 and 12 inches and spreads to a width of 3 to 4 feet. Plant in full sun.

'Blue Forest' grows on ascending branchlets that look like a tiny forest, which gives this dwarf cultivar its name. Its dense blue to green foliage turns to darker tones of blues and purples in colder months, adding winter interest.  

This plant’s growth habit makes it an excellent choice for ground covers on sloped areas or for cascading over retaining walls.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Like most junipers, ’Blue Forest’ is subject to infestation by aphids, bagworms, caterpillars, false spider mites, juniper tip mites, spruce spider mites, juniper and other scales, and juniper webworm. They are 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.

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Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#shrub#fragrant leaves#colorful leaves#winter interest#erosion control#deer resistant#low growing plant#groundcover#rocky soils tolerant#shallow soil tolerant#mat forming
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#shrub#fragrant leaves#colorful leaves#winter interest#erosion control#deer resistant#low growing plant#groundcover#rocky soils tolerant#shallow soil tolerant#mat forming
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Juniperus
    Species:
    horizontalis
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Horizontal
    Prostrate
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    Conifers do not flower.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    The blue-green branch tips turn up. Evergreen, fragrant, and colorful, turning from blue to purple as the temperatures grow colder. Often grown for its foliage.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Blue-green, plume-like, soft-textured, upright branches.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Rock Wall
    Slope/Bank
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Fairy Garden
    Rock Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Foundation Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Erosion
    Poor Soil