Juniper Care Instructions

Juniper, 'Blue Star'

Juniperus

‘Blue Star’, ‘Icee Blue’ and Dwarf Japanese Garden

Category: Evergreen ground covers Habit: Low, surface-hugging

Growth rate: Slow to moderate

Sun: Needs full sun. 

Water: Well drained soil, thrives in dry sites. Avoid overwatering. 

Fertilization: Spring or fall- Espoma Holly Tone

Landscape benefits and culture: Excellent as short facer evergreens covering at the base of “stemmy” background plants, or for slopes as ground cover. Minimal, if any, maintenance as they never need height reduction pruning. Junipers thrive in heat, dry, low fertility sites that might adversely affect other ornamental plants’ aesthetic value. Junipers perform best in full sun. Some period of daily shade is acceptable, but more than ½ day will cause thinning and “opening up” of the plants. Rock hardy. Don’t overwater by “misting” three times-per-week with an irrigation system in summer heat and humidity. That is the cause of fungal disease, which won’t happen otherwise.

Pruning: Tip pruning to reduce the length of elongated stems.

Potential pests/issues: Phomopsis blight (from excessive overhead watering)

Note that other varieties of Juniper may require different care. Please email [e-mail] for more care instructions.