Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltoni'
Growing zones
See Zone Map >
3-8
Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltoni'
Status: In stock
Product ID#: jbrug
Starting at:
$63.99
Starting at:
Product Description
Sun Exposure
Sun
Soil Conditions
Normal, Sandy, Clay/Heavy, Dry
Fruit Color
Blue, Purple, Green
Mature Plant Size (H x W)
.5-1' x 5-6'
The Blue Rug Juniper isn't just stunning; it's also practical, making it a perfect evergreen groundcover for your garden. This low, ground-hugging shrub is a pro at draping over retaining walls and bringing a touch of silvery blue elegance to any landscape.
With its vibrant silver-blue foliage that turns a striking purple-bronze in winter, the Blue Rug Juniper offers visual interest all year. Picture a dense, fine-textured mat of silvery blue foliage that adds a dash of magic to your garden.
The Blue Rug Juniper is drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and thrives in various soil conditions, including sandy soil. Plus, it rarely needs pruning unless you want to tidy up its naturally centered growth habit.
Plant it in full sun, water it well until established, and watch it thrive with minimal fuss. No pests, no diseases; just a lush, aromatic addition to your garden that’s as tough as it is gorgeous. Pruning Blue Rug Juniper is rarely needed, but if you do, aim for late winter or early spring to encourage healthy growth.
Please note: *Does not ship to California*
Beautify Your Garden with Blue Rug Juniper from McKay Nursery Elevate your landscape with the stunning Blue Rug Juniper from McKay Nursery, your trusted partner in plant perfection for over 125 years. Our employee-owned company expertise ensures you get the best quality and service. The Blue Rug Juniper is a hardy, low-maintenance ground cover with silvery-blue foliage that adds year-round beauty. It is perfect for slopes, rock gardens, and more. Don't miss out on effortlessly transforming your garden.
For more information, contact us at [email protected] or call us at 920-478-2121. Act now and let your garden shine.
With its vibrant silver-blue foliage that turns a striking purple-bronze in winter, the Blue Rug Juniper offers visual interest all year. Picture a dense, fine-textured mat of silvery blue foliage that adds a dash of magic to your garden.
The Blue Rug Juniper is drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and thrives in various soil conditions, including sandy soil. Plus, it rarely needs pruning unless you want to tidy up its naturally centered growth habit.
Plant it in full sun, water it well until established, and watch it thrive with minimal fuss. No pests, no diseases; just a lush, aromatic addition to your garden that’s as tough as it is gorgeous. Pruning Blue Rug Juniper is rarely needed, but if you do, aim for late winter or early spring to encourage healthy growth.
Please note: *Does not ship to California*
Beautify Your Garden with Blue Rug Juniper from McKay Nursery Elevate your landscape with the stunning Blue Rug Juniper from McKay Nursery, your trusted partner in plant perfection for over 125 years. Our employee-owned company expertise ensures you get the best quality and service. The Blue Rug Juniper is a hardy, low-maintenance ground cover with silvery-blue foliage that adds year-round beauty. It is perfect for slopes, rock gardens, and more. Don't miss out on effortlessly transforming your garden.
For more information, contact us at [email protected] or call us at 920-478-2121. Act now and let your garden shine.
- Sun
Mature Plant Size (H x W):
.5-1' x 5-6'
Key features
- Attracts Birds
- Deer Resistant
- Drought Tolerant
- Native
- Winter Interest
- Stone Mulch
- Walnut Toxicity Resistant
- Cut Flower
Planting Care
Planting & Care for Blue Rug Junipers
Preparation
- The Blue Rug Juniper thrives in rocky, thin mountain soils or the sandy gravel of inland deserts. Use on slopes for coverage or erosion control.
- Plant Blue Rug Juniper along retaining walls and curbs, where the creeping foliage will cover them year-round. This dense mat looks good along the hot, glary edges of streets and driveways.
- This evergreen shrub will mature to around 4-6" tall x 3-5' wide.
- Likes direct sunlight and well-drained soils.
- As a ground cover, space plants 5 ft. apart (closer for faster coverage). Control weeds with mulch until the plants cover the area.
- Be sure to plant away from areas where pets might go to the bathroom or highly salted areas. This may damage your juniper plant.
Opening Plant Material
- Containers: Completely saturate all container plants by putting them in a larger water container until they stop bubbling, then remove. Now, ready to plant. Dig a hole no deeper than the depth of the container and 6" or more, making sure it’s wider on the sides.
Planting containers
- Slide the Blue Rug Juniper from the pot by tapping on the bottom of the pot.
- Trim the bottom 2" off the root ball for plants with a shovel or knife in plastic containers.
- Rotate the Blue Rug Juniper to the proper position. Never lift or move plants by the tops.
- Place the root ball in the hole.
- Notice where the base of the trunk flares out from the tree. This is called the root flare. This root flare should show when the tree is planted. If necessary, add soil under the ball to expose the root flare.
- Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
- Backfill the hole with soil, ensuring the top of the root ball is visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
- Firm the soil around the plant. Water well to settle soil around the root ball.
Pruning - After Planting
- Containers: Although it is not essential for containers to be pruned after planting, light pruning for shape, to remove any broken branches from shipping, or to thin out a heavily branched plant will help in the transplanting process and the appearance of your new planting.
- Groundcovers/Vines – no pruning is needed right away.
Pruning - Throughout the Season
- Check out our Planting & Handling Guide for additional information on pruning your juniper, or reach out to us for advice!
Watering - After Planting
- Plants typically take approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil. During this period, water plants as often as every 2-4 days at the start and at least a minimum of once per week.
- Beyond the 6-week establishment period, water is used once per week unless rain occurs.
- Stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.
Watering - Throughout the Season
- After the first season, plants should only be watered during extended periods without rain.
- How do you know if your plants need water? The easiest way to tell is to touch the soil around the roots. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If dry, give it a good soak with the hose end (no nozzle), watering the soil only, not the leaves.
- Stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I propagate Blue Rug Juniper?
Blue Rug Juniper can be propagated through stem cuttings taken in late summer or early fall. Select healthy, non-flowering stems and cut 4-6 inch sections. Remove the lower leaves, dip the cut ends in rooting hormone, and plant them in a well-draining soil mix. Keep the soil moist and provide indirect light until roots develop, which can take several weeks.
How big does Blue Rug Juniper get?
Blue Rug Juniper typically grows to a height of 4-6 inches and can spread up to 6-8 feet wide. Their low, spreading growth habit makes them an excellent groundcover option. This compact size allows them to cover large areas while remaining under one foot in height.
Is Blue Rug Juniper prickly?
Yes, Blue Rug Juniper can be somewhat prickly. Its fine-textured, scale-like foliage may feel sharp to the touch, especially when pulling out weeds or handling the plant closely. However, its prickliness is generally not severe enough to deter its use as an attractive groundcover.
How do I control weeds around Blue Rug Juniper?
To control weeds around Blue Rug Juniper, apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the plants to suppress weed growth and retain soil moisture. Hand-pulling weeds is effective, especially for small infestations.
Additionally, dense planting of the juniper helps create a thick ground cover that naturally suppresses weeds by shading the soil and reducing available space for weed growth. Regular maintenance and inspection will keep weeds under control.
Additionally, dense planting of the juniper helps create a thick ground cover that naturally suppresses weeds by shading the soil and reducing available space for weed growth. Regular maintenance and inspection will keep weeds under control.
What are good companion plants for Blue Rug Juniper?
Good companion plants for Blue Rug Juniper include ornamental grasses, low-growing perennials, such as lemon drop sedum and violet pinwheels creeping phlox, and other drought-tolerant shrubs. These plants complement the juniper’s low, spreading habit and enhance the landscape with varying textures and colors.
Additionally, they thrive in similar growing conditions, such as full sun and well-drained soil, creating a cohesive and visually appealing garden.
Additionally, they thrive in similar growing conditions, such as full sun and well-drained soil, creating a cohesive and visually appealing garden.
Planting & Handling Help
Download our Planting and Handling Guide below to plan for a successful arrival and install of your plants. Be sure to water all plants as soon as they arrive and every day until you’re ready to plant. Keep any bare root bundles in a shady, cool spot with the roots covered at all times.
Learn More
Watch our videos on handling bare root plants, how your order is prepared for shipment and more.
Plant Sizing
What is the difference between Containers, Grow Bags, Bare Root, and Balled & Burlap (B&B)?
Shipping Times
Our FedEx and local shipping times depend on two factors, one is by the region and the second is the type of product being shipped. For example, small fruits are only shipped in spring, but majority of our perennials are shipped from spring until fall. Keep in mind the dates below act as a general guide. Due to unpredictable weather, staffing, inventory and industry demands these timelines can change. Therefore, we cannot guarantee any of these times.
Shipping Dates by Region*
Northern Cold Region: April 22nd - November 7th
Northern Region: April 15th - November 7th
Middle Region: April 1st - November 7th
Southern Region: March 15th - November 7th
Local Delivery (small radius from Waterloo, WI): April 22nd - November 7th
Shipping Dates by Season*
Spring Shipping: Region Start Date (above) - May
Fall Shipping: September - November
Due to unpredictable weather, these times may vary. Some varieties are exceptions due to heat and plant health reasons. Enter your shipping zip code at the top of this page and be sure to check the shipping information on each product before you add it to your cart. If the product is too large or restricted in your state, you will not be able to checkout with that item in your cart.