Blue Chip Creeping Juniper

Blue Chip Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip')

Blue Chip Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip') is a hardy, fast-spreading evergreen groundcover known for its intense silvery-blue foliage and low, carpet-like growth habit. This cultivar thrives in harsh conditions and offers year-round color, making it ideal for slopes, rock gardens, and erosion-prone areas that need reliable coverage and visual appeal.

Distinctive Features

'Blue Chip' grows just 6 to 8 inches tall but can spread 6 to 8 feet wide, forming a dense, mat-forming groundcover with soft, scale-like needles. Its steel-blue foliage retains strong color throughout the growing season and often develops attractive purple hues in winter. This selection is valued for its uniform, trailing habit and excellent weed suppression capabilities.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerates sandy, rocky, and poor soils
• Water: Low; drought tolerant once established
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3�9

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Striking blue tones and spreading habit create bold contrast in mass plantings and rock gardens
• Groundcover: Fills in quickly to cover soil and block weeds
• Slopes and Banks: Excellent for erosion control and soil stabilization
• Rock Gardens: Cascades naturally around stones and gravel features
• Foundation Planting: Adds color and texture at ground level without crowding windows or paths

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water during establishment; minimal watering required after
• Pruning: Rarely needed; may be trimmed to maintain spread or shape
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring
• Mulching: Helps retain moisture and reduce weed competition
• Pest Resistance: Deer resistant and generally pest-free

Why Choose Blue Chip Creeping Juniper?

• Vibrant Blue Foliage: Maintains vivid color year-round, with added winter interest
• Low-Growing Form: Ideal for ground-level coverage and erosion control
• Cold Hardy: Thrives in northern climates and exposed sites
• Low Maintenance: Tough, drought tolerant, and carefree once established
• Focal Point: Blue tones and ground-hugging habit make a bold statement in mass plantings or along slopes

Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip' offers dependable performance and standout foliage, making it a versatile solution for covering ground, stabilizing slopes, and adding lasting color to sun-soaked landscapes.