Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Forest'Blue Forest Juniper

The Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Forest', or Blue Forest Juniper, is a low-growing, evergreen shrub prized for its soft, feathery blue-green foliage with a unique forest-like texture. Growing to just 15 to 30 cm tall and spreading up to 1 to 1.5 metres, it forms a dense, ground-hugging carpet that provides excellent coverage for erosion control, rock gardens, and borders.

This hardy, drought-tolerant plant thrives in sunny locations and adds year-round colour and structure to landscapes, making it ideal for low-maintenance gardens.

Specifications

• Height0.15 to 0.3 metres
• Width1 to 1.5 metres
• Native toNorth America
• FoliageSoft, blue-green needles; evergreen
• Growth rateModerate

Conditions

• SoilPrefers well-drained, sandy or rocky soils; tolerates poor soils
• LightFull sun
• WaterLow; highly drought-tolerant once established
• ClimateThrives in temperate and cold regions

Additional Features

• UsesIdeal for groundcover, erosion control, rockeries, borders, and mass planting
• SpacingPlant 1 metre apart for dense coverage or individual clumps
• Low MaintenanceRequires little care; pruning rarely needed except to manage spread
• Pest ResistanceGenerally pest-free and deer-resistant
• Drought TolerancePerfect for water-wise and xeriscape gardens
• Seasonal AppealEvergreen foliage offers year-round interest and texture
• VersatilitySuitable for modern, cottage, and naturalised landscapes

The Blue Forest Juniper is a versatile and reliable plant, perfect for creating elegant, low-maintenance groundcover with its beautiful blue-green foliage and tough nature.