Blue Carpet Juniper

Blue Carpet Juniper (Juniperus squamata 'Blue Carpet')

Blue Carpet Juniper, Juniperus squamata 'Blue Carpet', is a low growing, spreading evergreen groundcover prized for its dense habit and cool silvery blue foliage that flows smoothly over the landscape. Growing only about a foot tall but spreading several feet wide, it forms a soft carpet that covers bare soil, edges, and slopes with clean year round color. The fine textured needles create a refined look up close, while the overall mat of foliage reads as a bold blue sweep from a distance. Durable and easy to grow in full sun with good drainage, it is an excellent choice for tying plantings together while reducing maintenance and weeding.

Distinctive Features

Blue Carpet Juniper is known for its very low, even habit, with trailing branches that knit together into a dense, uniform mat over time. The foliage is a striking silvery blue that holds its color well through the seasons, especially in full sun, giving a cool tone that contrasts nicely with green shrubs, warm brick, and natural stone. Because it conforms closely to the ground, it drapes over rocks, walls, and gentle grade changes, softening hard edges while still looking tidy and controlled. Its combination of low height, spreading habit, and strong color makes it a standout choice where you want a living groundcover that doubles as a design element.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Prefers full sun for best color and density; too much shade leads to thinner growth and duller foliage.
• Soil: Thrives in well drained, sandy or rocky soils; avoid heavy clay or areas that stay wet for long periods.
• Water: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish roots, then only during extended dry spells once established.
• Hardiness: Generally hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 8 when planted in sunny, well drained sites.
• Size: Very low growing, usually about 8 to 12 inches tall with a spread of 4 to 6 feet over time.
• Growth Rate: Moderate grower that gradually fills in open ground to form a solid carpet over several seasons.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point Groundcover: Use around boulders, at the front of beds, or near patios where its silvery blue foliage becomes a low, eye catching focal point in the landscape.
• Slopes and Banks: Excellent for stabilizing sunny slopes and berms where turf is difficult to maintain or mow.
• Rock and Gravel Gardens: Natural fit for rock gardens, gravel beds, and dry borders where it weaves between stones and softens hard lines.
• Path and Drive Edges: Plant along walkways and driveways to create a neat evergreen edge that never needs mowing.
• Mass Plantings: Ideal for large scale groundcover plantings in sunny residential or commercial landscapes where a durable living carpet is desired.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: After establishment, water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil surface to dry slightly between waterings to encourage deep roots and drought tolerance.
• Pruning: Requires minimal pruning; lightly trim stray or overhanging stems in late winter or early spring to keep edges crisp.
• Fertilizing: Feed in early spring with a light application of a balanced, slow release fertilizer if growth appears thin or foliage looks pale.
• Mulching: Mulch newly planted areas to suppress weeds and conserve moisture until plants grow together and act as a living mulch.
• Problem Resistance: Generally resistant to deer browsing and tolerant of wind, heat, and urban conditions when drainage is good.

Why Choose Blue Carpet Juniper?

• Striking Blue Color: Silvery blue foliage provides strong contrast and year round interest in sunny beds and borders.
• Low, Spreading Habit: Very low profile and wide spread make it a highly effective living groundcover.
• Tough and Adaptable: Handles poor, dry, and rocky soils once established, making it useful in challenging sites.
• Reduced Maintenance: Dense foliage suppresses weeds, reduces the need for mulch, and never needs mowing.
• Design Versatility: Works in rock gardens, slopes, foundation plantings, and contemporary designs where a clean evergreen carpet is needed.

With its cool blue foliage, low carpeting habit, and rugged constitution, Blue Carpet Juniper is a smart, low maintenance solution for covering sunny ground while adding color, texture, and a polished finish to your landscape.