Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip'
Overall Description
Blue Chip Juniper was reportedly first developed & grown at Jensen Nursery in Denmark back in the 1940's, and was selected for its very low growing, prostrate habit in combination with some of the absolute bluest foliage of all the J. horizontalis groundcover varieties. Beautiful blue feathery foliage displays excellent color throughout the warmer times of year, showing purplish colored tips during the winter. Very striking groundcover plant.
This particular juniper variety is probably best suited for use in more northern zones & climates with colder winters - does not perform quite as well in the heat of the deep south & southeastern coastal regions.
Typical spacing for most solid groundcover applications will be between 2 - 3 ft apart, but exact distance will vary depending upon exact planting location, sun exposure, area of the country, etc.
Plant Facts & Specifications
Mature Height: 6-10 inches
Mature Width: 6-9 ft
Growth rate: Moderate ( 4"-8" avg per yr )
Hardiness Zones: 4-9 ( if unsure of your zone, please use zone finder below )
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade. Growth rate will be slightly slower in shadier spots.
Soil Preference: Average to slightly acidic & sandy - well drained. Mulching recommended.
Foliage Color & Texture: Brilliant silver / blue foliage has a light, feathery texture and takes on a very attractive purplish coloration on its tips throughout the winter months. The purplish coloration quickly fades back to the silver / blue with the onset of spring.
Flower, Cone, Or Berry Facts: Very old, mature specimens have been known to produce a few juniper berries here & there........but nothing to really take note of.
Diseases / Insects:
Rather trouble free juniper - however Phomopsis has been observed on specimens that have been kept in very wet
conditions, or in soil with inadequate drainage.
Fertilization / Feeding: For maximum health & color, we highly recommend POOPeasOrganic Fertilizer & Soil Conditioner. However, either water soluble ( Miracle Gro, or equivalent ), or
granular fertilizers ( Holly Tone is excellent ) are also good options. Most any granular fertilizers with a 6-12-12, or
10-10-10 ratio are also acceptable. Best to fertilize in early spring,
and again in mid fall - avoid feeding standard chemical fertilizers
during hot summer months, and directly after transplanting. POOPeas may be used at anytime.Recommended Spacing: 2 - 3 ft apart recommended for most groundcover plantings
Deer Resistance Rating: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 [ 1 - least resistant........10 highly resistant ]
