Photo Juniperus icee blue: Pinterest
Have you ever heard of Juniperus icee blue? Do you know what kind of plant it is? Don’t worry, today we want to take an interest in this species of creeping conifer that is little known and yet has a unique characteristic in its foliage.
Want to know more? Afterwards Take a look at the guide we have prepared to get to know the Juniperus icee blue in depth. Will it be one of your plants in the garden?
Contents
How is the Juniperus ice blue
Source: JC Bakker & Sons
A short description of Juniperus icee blue could be that of a creeping conifer capable of creating a very dense layer of leaves on the ground. However, we do not count the most characteristic of this plant. It’s colorful.
If you have never seen it before, know that the leaves of this conifer are not the usual green, but It has foliage between green and blue, of a very showy nature.
Indeed, in summer, the foliage is generally a bright blue but, as the cold weather sets in, and especially in winter, it takes on a more purple color.
It is distinguished from other conifers by its shape. And it is that, unlike others who push upwards, the Juniperus icee blue does not, it will always stay around 10-15 centimeters tall. But he could easily stretch between 125 and 200 centimeters. This is why it is primarily used to cover the ground.
Other characteristics that we can tell you about the Juniperus icee blue are that it is resistant to certain animals, tolerant of heat and drought, even salt, and that it is evergreen, so if it is well maintained, you will have no problem with it.
The life expectancy of this plant is about 30 years if properly cared for. Another aspect that you must take into account is that it grows slowly. Very slow. So don’t expect it to cover everything in no time, because it won’t. However, keep in mind that although it is a covering plant and for the ground, it does not mean that you can walk on it. In fact, we do not recommend it, especially if you are barefoot, because it is very rigid and can hurt, in addition you could damage it with the weight applied to it.
However, it can be used decoratively and even to lessen the effects of pollution (hence why it is sometimes used in cities).
juniper icee blue care
Source: Le Jardin Nou
You already know a little more about Juniperus icee blue. However, not much is known about it, so we will talk about what care this plant needs.
In general, we will tell you that It is a very easy to grow evergreen that shouldn’t give you any problems If you meet the needs they have, and as we have already told you, they are not numerous or demanding.
However, it’s handy that you know what you need to thrive properly.
Location
We start with the location of this plant. And we do this by addressing two specific issues:
- On the one hand, the place where you should have it, which must always be abroad. Juniperus icee blue is not a houseplant. In fact, if you have it indoors, it will most likely dry out because you don’t give it what it needs. Outside the house you can have it, either in a pot or planted in the ground. In fact, we recommend this second option because it is the most suitable for the plant. If you can’t get one, try to make the pot not too tall (better wide than tall) so the roots can spread out easily.
- On the other hand, you should know that This conifer, like many others, needs to be placed in full light. No partial shade or shade. He needs sun, and the more you give him the better. So try to locate it in areas where it has as many daylight hours as possible.
Temperature
With Juniperus ice blue you won’t have any temperature related issues because it is able to withstand frost and cold as well as extremely high temperatures.
Regarding frost, you should know that it can withstand up to -20°C, while being in the sun it can easily tolerate temperatures above 40°C.
In these cases, you may notice that its leaves are a bit scorched, but once it adapts well to the temperature, you won’t have any problems in this regard.
To land
The truth is that this plant is not delicate in terms of the type of soil you should use. It tolerates any type of soil.
If you have it in a jar, Slow growing, you will not have to transplant it annually, but it could well last you about five years. On the ground once you have put it down you will have nothing to do on it.
Of course, if possible, try to ensure that whatever soil it has has good drainage so that it dries out easily.
Irrigation
Irrigation of Juniperus icee blue is not a care that needs to be taken into account. Yes, he needs water, but the truth is that you need very, very little. In fact, it prefers dry to flooded soil, so keep that in mind. If at some point you go too far with the watering, know that you are endangering the plant itself because it suffers a lot (this is one of its main problems).
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They are also not very necessary and you are doing just fine without them. Note that he is not demanding with the ground. Even so, from time to time it is not bad to add a little liquid fertilizer with the irrigation water.
Size
It is not a plant that requires pruning the branches. Growing so slowly allows it to be “tamed” and shaped into any shape you want (in the sense that it covers the parts you care about).
Plagues and diseases
The truth is that this conifer does not have many pests or diseases with which it is affected. In fact, they affect it much more when there have been rainy seasons or in humid areas, because it does not tolerate them. When that happens, yeah fear worms, aphids, mites and spiders.
Regarding diseases, it can be seriously damaged by root rot or rust.
Apps
Source: Maple Leaf Vegetable Gardens
When it comes to uses, the truth is that Juniperus icee blue is not a plant that has much to do with medicinal remedies. In fact, it is mainly used for decorative and protective purposes.
In other words, is used to cover the ground, to create rockeries, to cover the foundations. But also to cover retaining walls or en masse to avoid erosion or the risk of embankments.
Now that you know more about Juniperus icee blue, would you dare to have this species in your garden?