Growing Juniper 'Blue Star' - Learn About Blue Star Juniper Plants

How fast do blue star junipers grow?

Blue Star juniper (Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star') is slow-growing and has a low, mounded habit. It grows only to about 1 foot tall in five years, but will eventually mature to 2-3' high.

How do you take care of a blue star juniper?

Plant new shrubs in a shallow, broad hole that is as deep as the root ball and three times as wide. Add some compost to the soil and replace the soil up to the base of the plant. Give the new plant a good watering. cover the ground around it with a 2-inch layer of mulch, but keep the mulch 4 inches away from the stem.

How tall does a blue star juniper get?

Slowly reaches 2 to 3 ft. tall, 3 to 4 ft. wide. Conifer; prized for foliage.

Is Blue Star juniper poisonous?

The toxic parts of the "Blue Star" juniper are the berries, needles and stems. Juniperus species are in the toxicity class two. This means they possess a minor toxicity that will most likely not kill your dog, but it will make him sick if he ingests the plant parts. Vomiting and diarrhea are symptoms of ingestion.

How far apart should I plant blue point junipers?

Blue Point Juniper Spacing

For screens, plant 6 to 8 feet apart, as measured from the center of each plant.

How often do you water junipers?

You should plan to water it every two to three days. Never allow the soil to dry out completely. Usually you can tell when it needs watering by the color and feel of the soil surface.

Why are my junipers turning brown?

The symptoms of branches turning brown could be caused by several things. Browning and dying branch tips may indicate an insect infestation such as spider mites. ... If you see brown, red, green or yellow eight-legged insects, your juniper has spider mites. Twigs and branches dying back could indicate juniper tip blight.

What goes well with Blue Star juniper?

Blue Star Juniper companion plants

There are several plants and shrubs that make wonderful companion plants for Blue Star Junipers, including Roses, Grasses, Barberry, Sedums, Yuccas and Hydrangeas.

What is the best fertilizer for junipers?

Incorporate fertilizer into the soil or spread it around the plant, but avoid directly placing fertilizer into the planting hole. Established junipers will benefit from a complete fertilizer such as 16-4-8 or 12-4-8 applied at a rate of 1/2 lb. per 100 square feet in early spring and again in late summer.

Is Juniper poisonous to dogs?

The University of California - Davis list Juniperus (Junipers) in their Safe and Poisonous Garden Plants list as having a minor toxicity (class 2) for pets and children. This rating means ingestion of these plants may cause minor illnesses such as vomiting or diarrhea.

Can you trim blue star juniper?

Once established, "Blue Star" requires little water or care. Because of its slow growth and evergreen foliage, this juniper only requires maintenance pruning or corrective pruning. But never prune it during fall because the resulting new and tender growth will be vulnerable to the cold bite of winter.

Do you trim junipers?

All junipers have dead zones at their center so severe pruning, including topping, is never a good idea. Instead, prune lightly and regularly, just before new growth begins in spring. The key to pruning juniper is to leave areas with dormant bud on each branch you trim.

Which Juniper is poisonous?

Savin Juniper is known to be toxic and potentially deadly poisonous if taken in large enough quantities.

Are junipers toxic?

All juniper species grow berries, but some are considered too bitter to eat. ... But the berries of some species, such as Juniperus sabina, are toxic and consumption of them is inadvisable.

Is Juniper safe to eat?

The common juniper, Juniperus communis, is the variety most often used to make gin, medicines, and food dishes, as it is considered safe for human consumption. Other edible juniper berries include: Juniperus drupacea.

Do blue point junipers grow fast?

Growing Blue Point Junipers

The Blue Point Juniper has proved its worth for the last 50 years, and it remains the number-one choice, with foliage of a striking silver-blue color all year round. It grows steadily, adding 6 to 12 inches each year, and reaching 10 to 12 feet in just 10 years.

What should I plant next to Juniper?

When you are looking for juniper plant companions, think about bamboo. Bamboo species, particularly dwarf bamboo plants, are also good choices for juniper companion plants. Tall bamboo mixes well with tall junipers, while groundcover juniper blends seamlessly with dwarf bamboo.

How far apart do you plant Skyrocket junipers?

Hereof, how far apart do you plant Skyrocket junipers? --Recommended Spacing : Spacing of approx 2 1/2 feet apart is recommended for most privacy screen or border plantings.

Do junipers need a lot of sun?

Plant juniper shrubs in a location with full sun or light shade. When they get too much shade, the branches spread apart in an effort to let more sunlight in, and the damage to their shape can't be repaired. Junipers grow in any type of soil as long as it is well-drained.

How do I know if my juniper is dying?

If the branches are flexible and full of sap, they're still alive. If they're brittle and dry, they're dead and won't come back. Some of the “brown” junipers that are still alive will put out new growth in the spring, but it will be from the tips of branches.

Do junipers grow back?

Junipers (Juniperus spp.) can be used in nearly every part of your landscape. The long-lived evergreens can become scraggly and overgrown, however. ... Although a juniper won't grow back from a branch that has no green growth, careful pruning can revive the shrub.