Blue Rug Juniper

Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii'

$59⁹⁹

In Stock
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#1 Container

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Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Highlights

Blue Rug Juniper highlights at a glance!

Specifications

Brand

Nature Hills' Choice
Botanical Name

Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii'
Growing Zones

3-9
Mature Height

6 - 8 inches
Mature Spread

6 - 8 feet
Sun Exposure

Full Sun
Moisture

Low Once Established
Soil

Widely Adaptable
Growth Rate

Medium, Slow
Fall Color

Evergreen
Pruning Time

Early Spring

Growing Zones 3-9

Find Your Growing Zone!

Beautiful, low-growing Blue Rug Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii') is the most popular creeping Juniper for gardeners across the United States. This tough evergreen features cool-toned silvery blue, needle-like foliage that looks fresh all year. Softer than other varieties, it's drought-tolerant, extremely cold-hardy, versatile, and even grows on the coast.

This rugged, durable solution forms a dense mat of blue-green foliage over time, making it perfect for slopes, retaining walls, and erosion control. With a wide-spreading habit, it spills beautifully over containers, walls, and rocky edges. Bonsai enthusiasts especially love Blue Rug as a candidate for creating dramatic cascading bonsai.

Low maintenance and hardworking, this Juniper shrub thrives in tough spots where other plants struggle. Salt-tolerant, pollution-tolerant, and heat-loving, it's far safer than mowing a slope and far more effective at retaining soil. For a year-round "spiller" in container gardens or a calm oasis in modern landscapes, Blue Rug Juniper delivers lasting beauty. Learn more about how to identify Juniper trees.

>>Jump to Planting & Care Instructions

Key Features

Beautiful, low-growing silvery-blue Rug Juniper
Cool-toned foliage looks fresh all year
Most popular and lowest growing variety
Softer than other Junipers
Drought-tolerant and extremely cold-hardy
Thrives on slopes, retaining walls, and coastal gardens
Retains soil for erosion control
Year-round spiller in containers
Perfect Bonsai candidate
Low maintenance and versatile

Landscaping Uses

Blue Rug Juniper is a beautiful solution for slopes, retaining walls, and large-scale plantings. Its cascading habit creates a polished, modern look with very little effort.

Groundcover on steep slopes for erosion control
Living wall spiller on top of retaining walls
Modern raised planter boxes or Zen gardens
Year-round spiller in outdoor containers
Edging for taller Junipers in mixed plantings
Rock gardens with boulders for contrast
Bonsai specimen with cascading form

Care & Maintenance

Blue Rug Juniper is an evergreen groundcover hardy in USDA zones 3-9. Tough as nails, it thrives in sun, rocky soils, and poor conditions.

Planting Time: Best in spring or fall
Sun Requirements: Full sun
Soil Requirements: Requires fast-draining soil, handles rocky or sandy soils, not suitable for wet or compact soil
Moisture Needs: Drought-tolerant once established, but water using the Finger Test regularly during the first 2 years
Arborist Mulch: Apply a 3-4 inch deep layer of mulch - learn why here
Fertilization Needs: Apply Dr. Earth Acid Lover's Premium Organic Fertilizer twice a year (spring and mid-summer)
Pruning Info: Trim wayward branchlets for a tidy look, or let it sprawl naturally
Special Perks: Salt-tolerant, handles city pollution, cold-hardy, heat-loving, deer-resistant, rabbit-resistant, low maintenance

Don't forget to order your Nature Hills Root Booster for lifelong root support!

Blue Rug Love Runs Deep

Get started on your love affair with Blue Rug Juniper today! Its true-blue color, rugged durability, and low-maintenance nature make it a landscape essential. Perfect for slopes, walls, and modern containers, this Juniper works hard so you don't have to.

Order your Blue Rug Juniper now and let Nature Hills deliver fresh plants right to your doorstep!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Blue Rug Juniper fast-growing?

It spreads steadily but not aggressively, forming a dense mat over several years.

How tall does Blue Rug Juniper get?

It stays very low, usually around 4-6 inches tall, but can spread 6-10 feet wide.

Can Blue Rug Juniper grow in shade?

No, it requires full sun for the best color and dense growth.

Is Blue Rug Juniper deer resistant?

Yes, deer and rabbits tend to avoid it.

Can Blue Rug Juniper be used as Bonsai?

Yes, it is a favorite for creating cascading bonsai due to its flexible, trailing branches.

Blue Rug Juniper

This make for a great ground cover. I've had the blue rug for a little over a year now and it's doing great

Dear Happy,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with the Blue Rug Juniper! We’re thrilled to hear that it has thrived as a ground cover in your garden over the past year. Its lovely low-maintenance nature and vibrant color really make it a fantastic choice to brighten and stabilize landscapes.

If you ever want to keep it looking its best, occasional pruning to maintain shape and light watering during dry spells can be great ways to support its growth. Should you have any questions about care or want ideas for companion plants that pair well with Blue Rug Juniper, feel free to reach out.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Blue Rug Juniper

This make for a great ground cover. I've had the blue rug for a little over a year now and it's doing great

Hello Happy,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the Blue Rug Juniper! We're delighted to hear that it has made such a lovely and effective ground cover in your garden over the past year. This hardy evergreen is a wonderful choice for adding texture and color while requiring minimal upkeep.

To keep it thriving even more, make sure it gets plenty of sunlight and is planted in well-draining soil. Avoid overwatering, as Blue Rug Junipers prefer dryer conditions once established. If you ever notice any browning or yellowing, a bit of pruning and checking for pests can help maintain its vibrant appearance.

We appreciate you trusting NatureHills for your landscaping needs and are here if you ever want tips on other plant varieties to complement your Blue Rug Juniper!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

Salt tolerant

The blue rug is thriving in an area where road salt gets thrown up by snowplows. They still are growing and look good.

Hello Sly,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with the Blue Rug Juniper! We’re thrilled to hear that your plants are not only surviving but thriving despite the challenge of road salt exposure. Blue Rug Junipers truly are hardy, and your success shows just how resilient they can be in tough conditions.

To help your junipers continue flourishing, consider occasional watering during dry spells to help the salt disperse deeper into the soil, and applying a layer of mulch to protect the roots from salt intrusion. If you ever notice signs of salt damage, lightly rinsing the foliage with water can be beneficial as well.

We appreciate hearing stories like yours because they inspire other gardeners facing similar challenges. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever want more advice or plant care tips!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

Salt tolerant

The blue rug is thriving in an area where road salt gets thrown up by snowplows. They still are growing and look good.

Hi Sly,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the Blue Rug Juniper! We’re delighted to hear it’s thriving despite exposure to road salt—that’s great proof of the plant’s resilience. To help further protect it, you might consider buffering your soil with organic mulch or washing off salt residue from the foliage after winter salt exposure. These simple steps can keep your trusty juniper looking vibrant year-round.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you want more tips or recommendations for salt-tolerant plants. We’re always here to support your green space!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

groundcover

The Blue Rug juniper is a colorful tough groundcover. Low maintenance too.

Hello Louis,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the Blue Rug juniper! We truly appreciate your feedback and are delighted to hear that its vibrant color and tough, low-maintenance nature are fulfilling your expectations as a groundcover. Blue Rug juniper is indeed a fantastic choice for adding texture and year-round interest to landscapes with minimal effort.

If you ever want to maximize its potential, ensuring it has well-drained soil and occasional pruning to keep its shape will help it thrive even more beautifully over time. Should you have any questions or want tips on pairing it with other plants to enhance your garden’s design, feel free to reach out — we’re always happy to help!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

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Blue Rug Juniper

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