Blue Chip Juniper Bush

Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip'

Nature Hills Nursery

Steel-Blue Foliage Transforms to Violet Winter Tones for Year-Round Color Interest
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 3-9
Grows 1 ft Tall, 6-8 ft Wide
Evergreen Year-Round Color and Privacy
Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant

$33⁶⁰

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Plant Size

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Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Blue Chip Junipers require full sun, meaning at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day. While they can survive in partial shade, you will lose that signature silvery-blue color and the growth will become leggy and sparse.
Soil: These shrubs thrive in well-drained soil and are not picky about pH levels. If you have heavy clay, plant them in a slight mound or add organic compost to the backfill to ensure water drains away from the roots to prevent rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water your Blue Chip Juniper twice a week to help the root system settle into its new home. Once the plant is established after a year, it is exceptionally drought tolerant and typically only needs supplemental water during extreme heat waves. If the soil stays soggy for too long, the needles may turn brown and drop, so always check the top two inches of soil for dryness before adding more water.

Pruning Tips

This juniper rarely needs pruning because it naturally maintains a low, spreading carpet shape. If you need to control the spread, prune in early spring before new growth begins, as this variety grows slowly and needs time to recover. Think of it like a light trim rather than a heavy haircut; only remove the tips of the branches to encourage a thicker, more dense habit without cutting back into the "dead zone" of old wood where new needles won't regrow.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release evergreen fertilizer in early spring just as the tips begin to show bright blue new growth. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers in late summer or fall because this forces soft new growth that will likely be killed by the first hard frost. A single application in the spring provides all the nutrients the plant needs to maintain its vibrant color throughout the winter months.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12	Week of March 2nd

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

When it comes to a sound investment in your landscaping, the Blue Chip Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip') is a great evergreen choice. This attractive groundcover will remind you day after day what a great decision you made by choosing it!

Not only is it the perfect shade of iridescent bluish-green for the majority of the year, but it also provides dense coverage and winter interest. This Juniper's steel-blue foliage tends to transform into violet tones in winter.

Birds love building their nest in Juniper, although the Blue Chip's low-growing nature may not make it a bird's first choice for a nesting location. The Blue Chip Juniper is also highly disease- and pest-resistant! Growing throughout USDA planting zones 3 to 9, Blue Chip grows just 12 inches tall but spreads to a whopping 6-8 feet in width!

Landscape Application:

Blue Chip Juniper creates a pop of blue that perfectly offsets your other landscaping plants! From ornamental grass to perennials, happily rambling around Roses or mixing with other evergreen shrubs and Juniper groundcovers!

Blue Chip Juniper is also called "Creeping Juniper" because it slowly spreads to completely fill in bare and unsightly spaces. Over time, it will grow to cover 10 lateral feet. And because it doesn't grow much taller than 10 inches, you don't have to worry about pruning or shaping it. Additionally, as an evergreen, you can count on it providing ground coverage all year round.

Wonderful in mass plantings or used to edge taller varieties, you'll love this rugged, durable solution to soften the look of slopes and retaining walls, use creeping Juniper. Create a magnificent Rock Garden, in Zen Gardens, and work beautifully in smaller lots.

Plant Groundcover Juniper at the top of retaining walls. You'll be thrilled to watch the creeping habit grow downward to create a beautiful hillside of delightful blue foliage. Slowing erosion and rainwater runoff and transforming an unsafe, hard-to-mow hillside into a showy landscape feature!

Softly Needled Cool-Blue Evergreen Shrub
Low-Growing But Very Wide Spreading!
Gorgeous Groundcover Specimen
Utilitarian Workhorse - Erosion Control & Weed Block
Superior Groundcover, Fillers & Thillers In The Ground & Containers

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Junipers love full sun and in hotter climates do well with afternoon shade. Tolerant of dry, rocky soils, grows well in both acidic and alkaline conditions, clay soil, and even does great in average well-drained garden settings equally well! Juniper requires fast-draining soil to thrive and this is not a plant that can handle "wet feet" or standing water.

Water regularly for the first 2 years and gradually extend the period between waterings. Once established, Junipers are rugged and long-lived drought-tolerant shrubs!

Be sure to wear gloves when you handle Juniper. This variety is softer than others, but it's easy enough to pull on some protection. This is especially important if your skin is sensitive to Juniper. Prune in the early spring to nip back wayward branches and shape your shrub, or try your hand at creating unique Bonsai!

Versatile Full Sun & Afternoon Shade
Best In Excellent Drainage
Moderate to Low Moisture - Drought Tolerant
Low Maintenance - Prune Early Spring
Extremely Cold Hard & Pest/Disease Resistant
Tolerates Urban Pollution & Coastal Conditions

Looking for a reliable ground cover with impeccable color? Gorgeous Blue Chip Groundcover Juniper has you covered all year round! Order yours at NatureHills.com today!

Easy How-To's For Creating Cascading Bonsai Using Groundcover Juniper

For the adventurous plant lover, try your hand at creating Cascading bonsai using Blue Rug Juniper. Remove the plant from its pot and study it. Use a small garden rake to remove dirt as needed. Prepare to pull the roots apart, as you need to.

You'll first find the trunkline - or thickest stem - which will form the basis of your design. Remember to follow the plant and let it dictate the design.

Decide which branches you'll keep in the design. You'll need a head branch and 1 or 2 cascading branches that have plenty of twists and turns for interest. Once you've decided, remove the other branches.

Wire the head branch into an upright shape. The cascading branches will flow downward from that head branch. Wire the twists and bends into the cascading branches for a long, beautiful downward flow. Use a taller bonsai pot and a rich, fast-draining soil mix for acid-loving plants.

Send us pictures! We'd love to see them!

Botanical Name

Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip'
Class

Pinopsida
Species

horizontalis
Cultivar

Blue Chip
Growing Zones

3-9
Height

1 ft
Width

6-8 ft
Sunlight

Full sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color

White
Leaf Color

Blue, Green
Fall Color

Blue green
Native

Yes
Fragrant

Yes
Bloom Period

Late Spring
Does Not Ship To

AK, CA, HI, ID, MT, PR

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Growing Zones 3-9

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Frequently Asked Questions

What planting zones is the Blue Chip Juniper hardy in?

Blue Chip Juniper is hardy in USDA planting zones 3 through 9. This wide range makes it suitable for most regions across the United States, from cold northern climates to warmer southern areas. Plant in spring or fall for best establishment.

How tall and wide will my Blue Chip Juniper get at maturity?

Blue Chip Juniper stays compact at just 12 inches tall while spreading 6-8 feet wide at maturity. This low-growing groundcover can eventually reach up to 10 feet in spread over time. Plan for adequate spacing when you shop at Nature Hills to accommodate its impressive width.

Is Blue Chip Juniper a fast-growing or slow-growing shrub?

Blue Chip Juniper is a slow-growing groundcover that spreads gradually over time. It reaches just 12 inches tall but will eventually spread 6-8 feet wide, and can cover up to 10 lateral feet with patience. Plan for steady, controlled expansion rather than quick coverage.

Is Blue Chip Juniper deer resistant?

Blue Chip Juniper is naturally deer resistant due to its aromatic oils and needle-like foliage that deer typically avoid. This makes it an excellent choice for problem areas where deer browsing is common. Plant it as groundcover in zones 3-9 for reliable, low-maintenance protection.

Can Blue Chip Juniper tolerate drought conditions once mature?

Blue Chip Juniper is extremely drought tolerant once established, typically after 1-2 growing seasons. This hardy groundcover thrives in zones 3-9 with minimal water needs thanks to its deep root system. Allow soil to dry between waterings during establishment, then enjoy years of low-maintenance coverage available at naturehills.com.

Will Blue Chip Juniper survive in clay soil or does it need well-draining soil?

Blue Chip Juniper tolerates clay soil well, though it performs best with some drainage improvement. This hardy groundcover adapts to various soil conditions across zones 3-9. For heavy clay, consider adding compost or planting on a slight slope to prevent water from pooling around the roots.