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Hughes Juniper Bush

Juniperus horizontalis 'Hughes'

Nature Hills Nursery
  • Silver-Blue Foliage Turns Purple in Winter for Year-Round Color Interest
  • Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 3-8
  • Grows 1-2 ft Tall, 6-8 ft Wide
  • Evergreen Year-Round Color and Privacy
  • Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Heat Tolerant
$2900
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Plant Size

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: Plant your Hughes Juniper in full sun, meaning at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light daily. While it can survive in partial shade, the foliage will lose its characteristic silvery-blue density and become thin or "leggy" as it reaches for more light.
  • Soil: This juniper thrives in well-drained soil and is not picky about pH levels. If you have heavy clay, plant it in a slight mound or add organic compost to ensure water doesn't sit around the roots, which can lead to root rot.

Watering Requirements

For the first year, water your Hughes Juniper deeply twice a week to help the roots knit into the surrounding soil. Once established, this shrub is exceptionally drought-tolerant and typically only needs supplemental water during extreme summer dry spells. Inconsistent watering during the first season can lead to browned needle tips and stunted growth, so keep the moisture steady until the plant is settled.

Pruning Tips

Since this is a slow-growing spreader that looks best in its natural form, pruning is rarely necessary. If you need to control the size, prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Always cut back to a lateral branch and avoid cutting into the "dead zone" or the woody center where no needles are visible, as junipers cannot easily regrow from old wood.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release evergreen fertilizer once in early spring as the ground thaws. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer or fall, because this encourages soft new growth that won't have time to harden off before the first frost. This tender growth is easily damaged by winter burn, which can leave the plant looking unsightly until the following spring.

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


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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
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The Hughes Juniper Bush (Juniperus horizontalis 'Hughes') is a gorgeous silver blue, low-growing, and wide-spreading top-notch evergreen, perfect as an accent or groundcover that won't need much work or time to keep looking its best in your landscape!

The color of the Juniper Hughes is stunning, the uses are endless and the benefits are abundant! The Juniper Hughes has silvery-blue foliage most of the year, adding low-lying light to your garden beds. Featuring a distinctive growth habit with the branches swirling from the center of the plant. In the fall and winter, once the chill enters the air, Hughes will celebrate by taking on a slight purple cast.

These ground-hugging groundcover Junipers grow just 15-18 inches in height but spread a whopping 6 to 8 feet in width, filling large areas in silver blue. Deer rarely bother these plants unless desperate and tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments.

Landscape Application:

Hughes has graceful branches that would be beautiful cascading over stones in Rock Gardens, hardscapes and edging along pathways and garden edges, or over the tops of retaining walls where it will spill beautifully over the sides!

The Juniper Hughes would also be lovely as a groundcover, foundation planting, or a border. Its ground-hugging growth pattern is perfect for hard-to-plant slopes, slowing erosion and rainwater runoff. Planted along sidewalks, driveways, and curbs, Hughes adds year-round coverage, texture, and color!

Planters and porch containers gain year-round spillers, while landscaping beds are filled in year-round silvery blue-green color as living mulch and weed block. Mix as a front of the border facer plant to hide the leggy stems of shrubs, and evergreen hedges, or as part of a mixed shrub border.

  • Silver Blue Needled Foliage
  • Low-Growing Spreading Groundcover
  • Purple Winter Cast
  • Great In Containers & For Slowing Erosion
  • Groundcover, Mass Plantings, Edging & Facer Shrubs

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Don't let the Juniper Hughes size fool you though, it is one fierce shrub! Adaptable to snow and frost as well as excessive heat, it thrives in rocky or sandy soil and is highly tolerant of urban pollution. Even the deer will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats!

Grow in full sun, in hotter climates Junipers appreciate afternoon shade. Plant Junipers in well-drained soil with Nature Hills Root Booster. Provide moderate moisture access during their first years but once established, these evergreen shrubs become drought-tolerant. If needed, prune Junipers after their initial flush of growth in the spring.

  • Loves Sun, Heat, & Cold,
  • Needs Well-Drained Soil - Tolerates Salt & Sandy Soil
  • Moderate to Low Moisture Needs
  • Best Pruned In Spring
  • Heat & Cold Hardy & Deer Resistant

Plant the extremely adaptable and hardy Hughes Juniper and enjoy year-round color in your landscape! Order your newest landscaping plants today at NatureHills.com and we'll deliver them right to your door!

Growing Zones 3-8

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the growth rate of the Hughes Juniper - slow, moderate, or fast growing?
  • Hughes Juniper has a moderate growth rate, reaching its mature size of 15-18 inches tall and 6-8 feet wide over several years. This steady pace makes it reliable for filling large areas without becoming overly aggressive. Plan spacing based on the full 6-8 foot spread for best results.

Does the Hughes Juniper Bush produce flowers, and if so, what color are they?
  • Hughes Juniper produces tiny, inconspicuous yellowish-green flowers in spring, but they're rarely noticed due to their small size. This groundcover juniper is grown for its stunning silver-blue foliage that develops purple tints in winter, not for ornamental blooms. Focus on its colorful needle display rather than flowers when planning your landscape design.

Is the Hughes Juniper Bush deer resistant?
  • Hughes Juniper is deer resistant, as deer rarely bother these plants unless desperate. The silvery-blue foliage and low-growing habit (15-18 inches tall) make it an unappealing browse choice. Plant it confidently in areas where deer pressure is a concern.

Can Hughes Juniper Bush tolerate drought conditions once established?
  • Hughes Juniper is highly drought tolerant once established, typically after the first growing season. This tough groundcover thrives in challenging conditions including urban pollution and poor soils. Water regularly the first year, then reduce watering significantly as the plant becomes self-sufficient.

Is the Hughes Juniper Bush suitable for foundation plantings or borders?
  • The Hughes Juniper excels as both a foundation planting and border shrub, spreading 6-8 feet wide while staying just 15-18 inches tall. Its silvery-blue foliage provides year-round color and works perfectly as a facer plant to hide leggy shrub stems. Shop at Nature Hills for this versatile groundcover juniper.

Does the Hughes Juniper Bush need regular pruning to maintain its shape?
  • The Hughes Juniper Bush maintains its natural spreading shape with minimal pruning needed. This low-maintenance groundcover grows in a distinctive swirling pattern from the center, reaching just 15-18 inches tall. Light trimming in late winter can help control spread if needed.
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