Angelica Blue Chinese Juniper

Angelica Blue Chinese Juniper (Juniperus chinensis 'Angelica Blue')

Angelica Blue Chinese Juniper, Juniperus chinensis 'Angelica Blue', is a dense, wide spreading evergreen shrub valued for its bright powder blue to silvery blue foliage and its ability to thrive in tough, sunny sites. Fine textured needles cloak arching, vase shaped branches, creating a full, layered look that softens foundations, slopes, and large beds. With year round color and a naturally low, spreading habit, it anchors plantings beautifully and brings cool blue tones that contrast nicely with green shrubs, warm brick, and stone.

Distinctive Features

Angelica Blue Chinese Juniper forms a broad, spreading mound that typically matures around 4 to 6 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide, making it a strong horizontal element in the landscape. The foliage is its signature feature, with bright blue green needles that read as powder blue from a distance and often intensify in cooler weather. Dense branching helps it cover ground effectively while still reading as a shrub rather than a flat groundcover. Heat, cold, and drought tolerance, along with resistance to deer and urban air pollution, make this cultivar a reliable choice for exposed sites, banks, and other spots where more delicate evergreens struggle.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Prefers full sun for best color and density; tolerates very light partial sun but will be more open and less blue in shade.
• Soil: Grows best in average to sandy, well drained soil; tolerates rocky or lean soils but dislikes heavy, waterlogged conditions.
• Water: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system, then water occasionally during extended dry spells.
• Hardiness: Typically hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 9, handling both winter cold and summer heat when sited in full sun and well drained soil.
• Size: Broad, spreading habit maturing about 4 to 6 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide, depending on site and pruning.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point Shrub: Use as a low, spreading focal point in front yard beds or near entries where the cool blue foliage can anchor the planting and draw the eye.
• Foundations and Corners: Excellent for softening building lines at corners, along walkways, and in front of walls where a broad evergreen mass is needed.
• Slopes and Banks: Spreading habit and dense branching make it a good choice for stabilizing sunny slopes and controlling erosion.
• Mass Planting: Plant in groups for a broad swath of blue that reads cleanly from a distance and provides year round structure in large beds.
• Rock and Conifer Gardens: Pairs well with dwarf conifers, ornamental grasses, and perennials in rock gardens or dry, sunny borders.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: After establishment, water deeply but infrequently, allowing the top of the soil to dry between waterings; overwatering can lead to root problems.
• Pruning: Requires little pruning; lightly shear or selectively tip prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape or keep it clear of paths and structures.
• 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 stems, to conserve moisture and suppress weeds while maintaining good drainage.
• Protection: Avoid sites with standing water or deep shade; otherwise, this is a durable, low maintenance shrub that handles wind, salt, and urban conditions well.

Why Choose Angelica Blue Chinese Juniper?

• Year Round Blue Color: Provides consistent powder blue foliage in every season, adding contrast and depth to predominantly green plantings.
• Broad, Spreading Habit: Wide, low form is ideal for foundations, slopes, and large beds where vertical plants would feel too tall.
• Tough and Adaptable: Handles sun, heat, cold, drought, and many challenging soil conditions once established.
• Low Maintenance: Minimal pruning and modest water needs make it a practical choice for busy gardeners and commercial landscapes.
• Design Versatility: Works as a single specimen, in mass plantings, or as a long lived structural shrub that frames more seasonal perennials and flowering shrubs.

With its wide spreading habit, durable nature, and distinctive blue foliage, Angelica Blue Chinese Juniper is a dependable evergreen shrub that delivers structure, color, and a strong focal point in sunny landscapes with very little ongoing care.