Blue Star Juniper Shrub for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by John Haryasz | Horticulture Writer and Landscape Designer – last update on November 10, 2022

Planting instructions

If your growing location receives full sunlight, about 6 hours of light per day or more, your blue star juniper shrub is likely to thrive. These plants show an astounding ability to survive in nearly any type of soil, including clay soils and those that are very loose and dry. Plant this shrub in a hole that is as deep as the root ball is tall and about twice as wide. Then, loosen the root ball and the sides of the hole to encourage the roots to spread laterally once planting is complete.

Watering and nutrients

You’ll need to water your blue star juniper shrub about once per week or more, if needed, during the first season or two to aid establishment. This establishment period is also the time in which it is most necessary to feed this plant in early spring with a balanced fertilizer. Following establishment, your blue star juniper shrub will no longer need fertilizer or regular watering. In fact, you can stop fertilizing entirely and only give your plant water during the hottest parts of the year or during droughts.

Pollination

Like nearly every juniper plant you’ll come across, the blue star juniper shrub uses a set of male and female cones, which appear on different plants, to conduct pollination. When the male cones open, they release pollen, which travels through the air until it finds a female plant. Once the pollen contacts the cones of a female plant, the female cones will begin to develop into a small, berry-like form. While not a true berry, these cones are responsible for carrying this plant’s seeds.

Pruning

You should prune your blue star juniper shrub during the late winter, before the plant has begun to put forth new growth. During that time, you can remove any branch that is dead, damaged, or showing signs of disease. It can also be important to thin the foliage of your blue star juniper shrub. The blue star juniper grows in a dense habit, and thinning the foliage can help maintain proper air circulation, reducing the odds of moisture-related infections.

Pests, diseases, and animals

Overwatering and excessive moisture are the leading reasons why your blue star juniper shrub may experience a disease complication. In those cases, your plant may develop root rot, which is especially common in heavy soils that don’t drain properly. Additionally, the blue star juniper plant may also experience pest infestations. Aphids, borers, and scale insects are some of the most common creatures that harm this plant. Despite those threats, the blue star juniper shrub remains more capable of warding off pests and diseases than other junipers.

Achieving maximum results

The bright blue-tinted foliage of the blue star juniper shrub is its most attractive feature, which is why some gardeners are concerned when their plant’s foliage starts to fade. If this happens to your blue star juniper shrub, you should know the reason why fading foliage can occur. At times, faded foliage is the result of growing conditions that are too humid or a bit too warm. Occasionally, foliage discoloration can be a sign of a more serious issue as well, such as tip blight, in which case the foliage will begin to turn brown.

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