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shrub

Blue Pygmy Juniper

Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Pygmy'

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Blue Pygmy Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Pygmy') at Golden Acre Home & Garden

Blue Pygmy Juniper

Blue Pygmy Juniper

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  6 inches

Spread:  24 inches

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  3a

Brand:  Iseli

Description:

A tiny and dense groundcover evergreen, featuring fine blue-green foliage which takes on a purplish tinge in winter; extremely slow growing and ground-hugging; very adaptable and hardy; excellent for small garden areas or trailing over walls

Ornamental Features

Blue Pygmy Juniper is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the garden for its broadly spreading habit of growth. It has attractive bluish-green evergreen foliage. The tiny scale-like sprays of foliage are highly ornamental and remain bluish-green throughout the winter. It produces blue berries from late spring to late winter.

Landscape Attributes

Blue Pygmy Juniper is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a ground-hugging habit of growth. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Blue Pygmy Juniper is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • Rock/Alpine Gardens
  • Border Edging
  • General Garden Use
  • Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Blue Pygmy Juniper will grow to be only 6 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selection of a native North American species.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Massing  Rock  Edging  Garden  Groundcover 
Applications
Fruit  Foliage Color  Texture  Plant Form  Winter Value 
Ornamental Features