Blue Rug Creeping Juniper

Blue Rug Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii')

Blue Rug Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii') is a widely used ground-hugging evergreen prized for its vivid silver-blue foliage and low, carpet-like form. This cultivar offers year-round color and exceptional adaptability, making it one of the most popular choices for slopes, retaining walls, and expansive groundcover in sunny landscapes.

Distinctive Features

'Wiltonii', commonly sold as Blue Rug Juniper, forms a dense mat that grows just 4 to 6 inches tall and spreads up to 6 to 8 feet wide. Its finely textured, scale-like needles display a strong steel-blue tone throughout the growing season, often turning purplish in winter for added cold-weather interest. The foliage drapes elegantly over edges and suppresses weeds with its thick coverage.

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: Cool blue tones create bold contrast in large plantings and along walkways
• Groundcover: Fast-spreading habit effectively covers bare soil and blocks weeds
• Slopes and Banks: Exceptional for erosion control and hillside stabilization
• Rock Gardens: Drapes beautifully over boulders and gravel features
• Retaining Walls: Cascades over edges for a softened, natural look

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water regularly during establishment; becomes drought tolerant with age
• Pruning: Rarely needed; can be trimmed to manage spread if necessary
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring
• Mulching: Helps retain moisture and prevent weed competition
• Pest Resistance: Deer resistant and typically unaffected by pests or disease

Why Choose Blue Rug Creeping Juniper?

• Striking Foliage: Steel-blue color provides year-round visual interest
• Low and Spreading: Ideal for tough groundcover applications
• Cold Hardy: Withstands harsh winters and exposed conditions
• Low Maintenance: Durable and easy to care for in a wide range of sites
• Focal Point: Blue foliage and trailing form bring contrast and texture to open spaces and borders

Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii', or Blue Rug Creeping Juniper, delivers a reliable combination of color, coverage, and toughness, making it a go-to evergreen groundcover for erosion control, large-scale plantings, and vibrant low-maintenance design.