SCIENTIFIC NAME: Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star'

COMMON NAME: Blue Star Juniper

GARDEN SIZE: 2-3 feet tall x 3-4 feet wide if left in natural form

GROWTH RATE: Slow (up to 2-3 inches per year under ideal conditions)

USDA ZONE: 4-8

EXPOSURE: Full Sun

WATER & SOIL: Well-drained soil; Average water requirements

HABIT (FORM): Mounding and spreading, dense conifer

FOLIAGE: Evergreen; Bright silver-blue scale-like needles

FRUIT: None notedPLANT ORIGIN: squamata - mountainous areas of Afghanistan, China, and Taiwan

WILDLIFE SUPPORT: May provide some nesting sites and shelter for birds and small mammals, but does not serve as much of a food source for local insects and wildlife.

FERTILIZING: Feed in spring and fall with acidic organic fertilizer

PRUNING: Minimal shearing required. Hand pruning in late winter or early summer is preferred.

PET SAFETY: Generally considered mildly toxic to dogs, cats, horses, and humans.

USES: Hedges, Groundcover