Blue Pacific Shore Juniper

Blue Pacific Shore Juniper (Juniperus conferta 'Blue Pacific')

Blue Pacific Shore Juniper, Juniperus conferta 'Blue Pacific', is a low, spreading evergreen groundcover prized for its dense habit, rich blue green foliage, and exceptional tolerance of coastal conditions. Fine, needle like foliage covers trailing stems that hug the ground, creating a soft, textural carpet that flows over slopes, edgings, and walls. Naturally salt tolerant and wind resistant, it thrives where many shrubs struggle, especially in seaside gardens and exposed, sunny sites. Its clean color and uniform habit give landscapes a finished look while dramatically cutting down on open mulch and bare soil.

Distinctive Features

Blue Pacific Shore Juniper typically grows 8 to 12 inches tall and 4 to 6 feet wide, forming a thick, even mat that conforms to the contours of the ground. The foliage is a vibrant blue green in the growing season and can take on attractive steely or bronzy tones in colder weather, providing subtle seasonal change without losing coverage. Compared with many other juniper groundcovers, Blue Pacific has a slightly more relaxed, natural drape that looks especially good tumbling over rocks, retaining walls, and the edges of raised beds. Its outstanding tolerance of salt spray, sandy soils, and drought once established makes it a go to choice for coastal and beach inspired landscapes.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Prefers full sun for best color and density; too much shade leads to thinner growth and reduced coverage.
• Soil: Thrives in well drained, sandy or rocky soils; tolerates poor, lean ground but should not be planted where water stands for long periods.
• Water: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish roots, then water only during extended dry spells once established.
• Hardiness: Generally hardy in USDA Zones 6 to 9 when planted in full sun and well drained soil.
• Size: Very low growing, usually 0.75 to 1 foot tall with a spread of 4 to 6 feet or more over time.
• Growth Rate: Moderate grower that steadily knits together into a dense, weed suppressing carpet over several seasons.

Ideal Uses

• Coastal and Seaside Gardens: Excellent choice for beachfront and coastal properties where salt spray, wind, and sandy soils limit plant options.
• Slopes and Banks: Dense, spreading habit helps stabilize sunny slopes, berms, and banks while reducing erosion and maintenance.
• Front of Border Accent: Use at the front of beds, near patios, or around boulders where its blue green foliage forms a low carpet that can serve as a subtle focal point without blocking views.
• Rock and Gravel Gardens: Ideal for weaving between stones and softening hard lines in rock gardens, dry riverbeds, and gravel plantings.
• Path and Drive Edging: Plant along walkways and driveways to create a neat evergreen edge that never needs mowing and keeps edges looking finished year round.

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 neat and off paths or hardscape.
• 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 spread and function as their own living mulch.
• Pest and Problem Resistance: Generally resistant to deer browsing and tolerant of wind, salt, and urban conditions when drainage is good.

Why Choose Blue Pacific Shore Juniper?

• Coastal Toughness: Handles salt spray, sandy soils, and wind, making it a reliable performer in seaside and exposed landscapes.
• Year Round Coverage: Evergreen foliage keeps slopes, beds, and banks looking finished in every season.
• Striking Color: Blue green needles provide cool toned contrast against warm stone, brick, and surrounding greenery.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, requires little more than occasional deep watering and light edge trimming.
• Erosion Control: Dense, spreading habit helps hold soil on slopes and banks while reducing the need for mulch and frequent weeding.

With its low, spreading habit, coastal durability, and attractive blue green foliage, Blue Pacific Shore Juniper is a practical, long lived groundcover that turns challenging sunny sites into cohesive, easy care planting areas.