"Blue Rug Juniper to the Rescue"

"Blue Rug Juniper to the Rescue"

Got a really steep slope or an area that is too difficult to mow?  Why not try a mass planting of Blue Rug junipers!

Blue Rug juniper plants are low growing evergreen conifers that make an excellent groundcover for those hard to manage areas in the landscape.  Their foliage is a silvery-blue, thus the first half of its common name.  The second half comes from its growth habit, as it forms a dense, low mat (rug), making it an ideal groundcover.  It has a height of 4"-6" and a spread of approximately 5-6 feet.  The foliage turns a purplish-bronze in the winter.  BLue Rug spreads rapidly and is relatively resistant to some of the diseases that plague many other juniper species.  (Incidentally, what look like blue "berries" on junipers are technically cones.)

No plant is "no-maintenance", but this one is certainly "low-maintenance".  Blue Rug juniper plants thrive in full sun and prefer well drained soil with an acidic pH.  Before planting, prepare the soil with amendments such as organic matter to help get them started out properly.  To aid their weed control efforts prior to maturity, make sure they are well mulched but avoid piling mulch on the plants' crowns.  Thin out mature plants for better air circulation, which will help avoid disease, but don't over prune.

Although they also make an attractive groundcover on flat land, the groundcover junipers are most prized as plants to cover a sunny slope, where they serve three purposes simultaneously; erosion control, weed control and eliminating the need to mow where footing is treacherous.

Visit Sartin Services nursery today and let one of our knowledgeable sales associates help you become familiar with this all purpose groundcover.  Fall is an excellent time to plant them so they can become established before next year's mowing season starts. 

Don't forget to print your coupon!

Happy Fall Gardening.

Larry Vickers