Hey there, everyone! Today, let’s dive into the world of Blue Point, a standout juniper that’s perfect for hedging or standing alone as a showpiece in your garden.
| Care/requirements | Blue Point Juniper |
| Hardiness: | USDA zone 4-9 |
| Size: | Height 12 ft. and Width 8 ft. |
| Shape: | Pyramidal |
| Type: | Evergreen, tree |
| Light requirements: | 6-8 hours of direct sun per day, Full sun or partial shade |
| Soil: | Loam or amended soil |
| Soil pH: | 6.0-6.8 Grow best in neutral or acidic soil |
| Watering: | First 1-2 years after planting when the soil 2” dry |
| Growth rate: | Fast (6-10 inches per year) |
| Needles color: | Blue-green |
| Best time for planting: | Early spring or early fall |
| Pruning: | Spring-Summer |
| Spacing: | 8-12 feet apart (center to center) |
| Transplanting: | Early fall or early spring |
| Fertilizer: | Balanced NPK, slow-release |
| Deer resistant: | Yes |
| Problems: | Pests, diseases |
The Blue Point juniper thrives best in a sunny spot with well-draining, loose soil, away from any standing or flowing surface water. Planting this juniper in early spring is ideal since it’s dormant and less likely to experience stress. Another good time to plant is in the fall, typically from late September to early October. For a hedge, space your Blue Point Junipers about 8 feet apart from center to center. If you’re aiming for a standout specimen plant in your garden, allow it 10-12 feet of room. When digging the planting hole, make it twice as wide as the root ball. Add a mix of compost or peat to the bottom of the hole to enrich the soil. Ensure that when you place the juniper in the hole, only the roots are buried, not the trunk. Fill the hole back in with your prepared soil mix. We’ll go over this in more detail soon. After planting, give the juniper 1-2 gallons of water to help it settle in.
The Blue Point juniper flourishes with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily, essential for its growth and vibrant color. Its love for the sun means that more light is always better. While it can manage in partial shade, it’s crucial that it still receives a few hours of direct sunlight. Under these conditions, the juniper will grow adequately, though its needles may turn a less vibrant green. However, full shade doesn’t suit the Blue Point at all. Without enough sunlight, the plant’s growth becomes sparse, making it prone to fungal diseases, and eventually, it could die.
The Blue Point Juniper thrives in light, well-draining soil, ensuring quick and hassle-free growth. It’s adaptable to loamy soils and other variants to some extent. However, it doesn’t do well in heavy clay that retains water. To prepare the ideal growing environment, incorporate several bags of compost or peat into the existing soil to improve drainage and structure before planting your juniper. Aim for a soil pH between 6.0 and 6.8, which is neutral to slightly acidic. Adding compost or perlite can help adjust the soil towards this pH range. To check the soil’s acidity, use a pH testing kit. If you find your soil is too alkaline, you can correct it with garden store sulfate to achieve the desired acidity.
Water your Juniper when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry, a guideline best followed for the first 1-2 years post-planting. After the Juniper establishes its roots, regular watering becomes unnecessary. Ensure each watering session provides 1 to 2 gallons of water, ensuring thorough saturation for the roots, especially for larger plants. If you notice significant growth by the next year, it’s a sign that the Juniper has successfully taken root, and you can ease off on watering. A well-rooted Blue Point Juniper is quite drought-resistant and can go for extended periods without water. However, be cautious of overwatering. Watering a Juniper in already moist soil or where water gathers can lead to root rot. So, it’s crucial to avoid watering too much.
Trimming the Blue Point Juniper is optional, as its compact size often means it requires minimal pruning. This variety is popular for hedges and usually doesn’t need cutting back in its initial years. If you choose to prune, early spring or autumn are the optimal times, coinciding with the plant’s dormant phase to minimize stress. Always use sharp, high-quality pruning tools and ensure they’re disinfected before use to prevent disease spread. It’s crucial not to remove more than 30% of the plant in one go, as excessive pruning can harm or even kill it. After pruning, applying a fungicide can be beneficial to protect the plant.
Generally, the Blue Point Juniper thrives without the need for fertilizer. However, if you’re aiming for a quicker growth to achieve a larger and more vibrant tree, fertilization can help. Opt for a fertilizer with a balanced NPK ratio or choose one specifically formulated for conifers, which are readily available. Ensure the fertilizer is in the form of slow-release pellets for gradual nutrient release. Applying granular fertilizer in early spring is ideal, and typically, one application annually suffices. Make sure to adhere to the guidelines provided by the fertilizer manufacturer.
The primary issue encountered with Blue Point Juniper involves fungal diseases, manifesting as black or brown spots on the needles and branches. Address this by treating the juniper with a broad-spectrum fungicide, and follow up with another application after several weeks for best results. Pests constitute the second challenge, with various insects capable of harming the Blue Point Juniper. Combat these pests effectively with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.
