Blue Arrow Eastern Red Cedar

Blue Arrow Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana 'Blue Arrow')

Blue Arrow Eastern Red Cedar, Juniperus virginiana 'Blue Arrow', is a very narrow, upright evergreen prized for its strong vertical form and cool blue foliage that holds color all year. This columnar selection grows into a living exclamation point, adding height and structure without taking much ground space, which makes it ideal for tight beds, entryways, and modern plantings. Fine textured, blue green needles pack tightly along the stems, creating a dense, refined silhouette that reads cleanly from a distance. As a hardy, low maintenance evergreen that keeps its shape naturally, it delivers four season interest and a reliable focal point in sunny landscapes.

Distinctive Features

Blue Arrow Eastern Red Cedar stands out for its extremely narrow, pencil like habit, typically maturing around 12 to 15 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, depending on site and age. The foliage is an attractive blue green that often deepens slightly in cooler weather, maintaining a crisp, clean look against darker evergreens, brick, or siding. Branching is tight and upright, so the plant holds its columnar outline without heavy pruning or staking, even in windy sites. As a selection of Eastern Red Cedar, it brings the toughness of the species, including tolerance of heat, cold, wind, and poorer soils, while offering a more refined, architectural look than many seed grown forms.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Prefers full sun for best color, density, and shape; too much shade leads to thinner foliage and a looser outline.
• Soil: Adapts to a wide range of well drained soils, including sandy, rocky, or slightly alkaline ground; avoid areas with standing water.
• Water: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish deep roots, then provide only occasional deep watering during extended dry periods.
• Hardiness: Generally hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 8 when sited in full sun and well drained soil.
• Size: Very narrow, columnar habit maturing about 12 to 15 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide at the base.
• Growth Rate: Moderate grower that builds height steadily over several seasons while maintaining its slim footprint.

Ideal Uses

• Vertical Focal Point: Plant as a single specimen near entries, patios, or key views where its tall, narrow form serves as a strong focal point without crowding nearby plants.
• Formal Hedges and Screens: Space in a row to create a slim evergreen screen along property lines, driveways, or patios where width is limited.
• Accent in Mixed Borders: Use as a vertical accent among shrubs and perennials to break up horizontal lines and add height and contrast.
• Containers and Courtyards: Works well in large, well drained containers for flanking doorways, gates, or outdoor rooms with a clean architectural element.
• Modern and Minimalist Designs: Natural fit for contemporary landscapes that favor simple, repeated forms and strong structure.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: After establishment, water deeply but infrequently, allowing the top of the soil to dry slightly between waterings to encourage drought tolerance.
• Pruning: Requires little pruning; lightly trim stray shoots in late winter or early spring if needed to preserve the narrow columnar shape.
• Fertilizing: Feed in early spring with a balanced, slow release evergreen fertilizer if growth appears weak or foliage looks pale.
• Mulching: Apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch around the base, keeping it off the trunk, to conserve moisture and suppress weeds while maintaining good drainage.
• Protection: Choose a sunny, open site; this cultivar is naturally tolerant of wind, cold, and urban conditions when roots are not kept too wet.

Why Choose Blue Arrow Eastern Red Cedar?

• Strong Vertical Form: Very narrow, upright habit adds height and structure where space is limited.
• Year Round Blue Color: Blue green foliage holds color in every season, providing reliable contrast in the landscape.
• Tough and Adaptable: Handles sun, heat, cold, wind, and lean soils once established, with minimal special care.
• Low Maintenance: Naturally columnar shape reduces the need for regular pruning or training.
• Design Versatility: Works as a standalone accent, a slim screen, or a repeated architectural element in both traditional and contemporary gardens.

With its slim, upright profile, cool blue foliage, and rugged constitution, Blue Arrow Eastern Red Cedar is an excellent choice when you need a dependable vertical accent that delivers color, structure, and year round presence without demanding much space or maintenance.