Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star'
Growing zones
See Zone Map >
4-8
Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star'
Status: In stock
Product ID#: jbsta
Starting at:
$63.99
Starting at:
Product Description
Sun Exposure
Sun
Soil Conditions
Normal, Sandy, Clay/Heavy
Fruit Color
Blue, Purple, Green
Mature Plant Size (H x W)
1.5-3' x 3-4'
Introducing the Blue Star Juniper, your garden's sparkling gem. This slow-growing dwarf shrub boasts bright steel-blue foliage arranged in a mesmerizing star-like pattern at the tips of its branches. It is perfect for adding a pop of color to any landscape.
Constant pruning is a thing of the past. With its slow growth rate and drought tolerance, the Blue Star Juniper is the epitome of easy care. It thrives in poor, dry, sandy soil, or rock gardens provided there's good drainage.
As one of the lowest-maintenance plants, the Blue Star Juniper hardly deals with pests and diseases. When winter arrives, the Blue Star Juniper shines. Its evergreen, silvery blue needles stand out against the season's typical browns and greens, adding visual interest and beauty to your garden even in the coldest months.
Ideal for small spaces, this Blue Star Juniper shrub forms a dense, compact mound, making it perfect for rock gardens as a ground cover or an edging plant. Plant your Blue Star Juniper in early spring for the best results.
Note: *The Blue Star Juniper does not ship to California*
Make Your Garden Shine with Blue Star Juniper Transform your landscape with the stunning Blue Star Juniper from McKay Nursery. Grown in the hardy Wisconsin climate, these beauties are built to last. With over a century of horticultural expertise, we guarantee vibrant, low-maintenance Blue Star Juniper shrubs that sparkle year-round.
Don't miss out on adding this drought-tolerant, silvery blue gem to your garden. For more information about the Blue Star Juniper and other plants, email us at [email protected] or call us at 920-478-2121.
Constant pruning is a thing of the past. With its slow growth rate and drought tolerance, the Blue Star Juniper is the epitome of easy care. It thrives in poor, dry, sandy soil, or rock gardens provided there's good drainage.
As one of the lowest-maintenance plants, the Blue Star Juniper hardly deals with pests and diseases. When winter arrives, the Blue Star Juniper shines. Its evergreen, silvery blue needles stand out against the season's typical browns and greens, adding visual interest and beauty to your garden even in the coldest months.
Ideal for small spaces, this Blue Star Juniper shrub forms a dense, compact mound, making it perfect for rock gardens as a ground cover or an edging plant. Plant your Blue Star Juniper in early spring for the best results.
Note: *The Blue Star Juniper does not ship to California*
Make Your Garden Shine with Blue Star Juniper Transform your landscape with the stunning Blue Star Juniper from McKay Nursery. Grown in the hardy Wisconsin climate, these beauties are built to last. With over a century of horticultural expertise, we guarantee vibrant, low-maintenance Blue Star Juniper shrubs that sparkle year-round.
Don't miss out on adding this drought-tolerant, silvery blue gem to your garden. For more information about the Blue Star Juniper and other plants, email us at [email protected] or call us at 920-478-2121.
- Sun
Mature Plant Size (H x W):
1.5-3' x 3-4'
Key features
- Attracts Birds
- Deer Resistant
- Drought Tolerant
- Winter Interest
- Stone Mulch
- Walnut Toxicity Resistant
- Cut Flower
Planting Care
Planting & Care for Blue Star Junipers
Preparation
- The Blue Star Juniper is a unique, slow-growing star juniper with bright steel blue foliage.
- The Blue Star Juniper needles are arranged in a "Star-like" pattern at the tips of the branches.
- This evergreen shrub prefers a well-drained location in full sun to partial shade.
- Blue Star Juniper will grow to about 18-24" tall and, after many years, spread to about 3'.
- It's a great color accent for any landscape.
- Be sure to plant the Blue Star Juniper away from areas where pets might go to the bathroom or highly salted areas. This may damage your juniper plant.
- The first growing season of the Blue Star Juniper: Late winter.
Opening Plant Material
- Containers - Completely saturate all container plants by putting them in a larger container of water until they stop bubbling, and remove them. Now, the Blue Star Juniper is ready to plant. Dig a hole no deeper than the depth of the container and 6" or more, ensuring it’s wider on the sides.
Planting containers
- Slide the Blue Star Juniper out 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 plant to the proper position. Never lift or move Blue Star Juniper 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 Blue Star Juniper plant. Water well to settle soil around the root ball.
Pruning - After Planting
- Containers - Although it is not essential to prune B&B or grow bags after planting, light pruning may be required to shape and remove broken branches from shipping. Please note that thinning out a heavily branched plant will help in the transplanting process and in the appearance of your new Juniperus squamata ‘blue star’ planting.
Pruning - Through-out the Season
- Check out our Planting & Handling Guide for information and illustrations on pruning your Blue Star Juniper.
Watering - After Planting
- Plants typically take approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil. During this period, water the Blue Star Juniper 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 - Through-out the Season
- After the first season, plants should only be watered during extended periods without rain.
- How do you know if your Blue Star Juniper 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
What are common pests or diseases affecting Blue Star Juniper?
Blue Star Juniper is generally hardy but susceptible to pests like spider mites and scale insects. Common diseases include tip blight and rust.
Regular inspection and maintaining good air circulation can help prevent these issues in your Blue Star Juniper, and treating infestations early with appropriate insecticides or fungicides can mitigate damage.
Can Blue Star Juniper be used for ground cover?
Yes, Blue Star Juniper can be used as ground cover due to its low-growing, spreading habit. Its dense, evergreen foliage provides year-round interest and can help suppress weeds. Blue Star Juniper shrubs are especially effective on slopes and in rock gardens, where they can cascade gracefully over edges.
How do I propagate Blue Star Juniper?
Blue Star Juniper can be propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings taken in late summer or early fall.
Cut a 4-6 inch section from a healthy branch, dip the cut end in rooting hormone, and plant it in a well-draining soil mix. Keep the cutting moist and in indirect light until roots develop, which can take several weeks to months.
Why is my Blue Star Juniper turning brown?
Browning in Blue Star Juniper can be caused by several factors, such as overwatering, poor drainage, pest infestations, or fungal diseases. Ensure your BlueStar Juniper is in well-draining soil and receives adequate sunlight. Check for pests or signs of disease and treat accordingly. Avoid excessive watering to prevent root rot.
How do I prevent root rot in Blue Star Juniper?
Preventing root rot in Blue Star Juniper involves ensuring well-drained soil and avoiding overwatering. Plant the Blue Star Juniper in an area with good drainage and avoid waterlogged conditions. Amending the soil with organic matter and planting on a slight mound can also improve drainage and reduce the risk of root rot.
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.