Juniperus horizontalis Blue Chip

Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip' is undoubtedly the bluest of creeping junipers. Over time, it forms a large carpet of non-prickly scaled branches, covered in magnificent grey-green foliage. In winter, it takes on an astonishing grey-purple to purple hue. This vigorous conifer is perfectly adapted to difficult conditions and shows fairly rapid growth. It is extremely hardy. It is an excellent ground cover for decorating a large slope, a rock garden, or a container. It appreciates full sun and well-drained soil, even poor, occasionally dry and limestone soil.

Juniperus horizontalis is an evergreen and prostrate conifer belonging to the Cupressaceae family, which includes related species such as cypresses and chamaecyparis. It is native to the northern regions of North America, which explains its excellent hardiness. In its natural environment, it has a prostrate, very spreading habit, reaching up to 45 cm (17.7 in) thick and 2 m to 4 m (6.6 ft to 13.1 ft) wide. This species enjoys cool climates, poor, sandy and/or limestone soils, and is not afraid of arid conditions.

'Blue Chip', derived from this species, forms a prostrate shrub after 10 years, with a very spreading habit, measuring 15 cm (5.9 in) in height and 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in width. It grows quite slowly when young, and then its growth accelerates slightly as it ages. An adult specimen will measure about 30 cm (11.8 in) in height and 2 m (6.6 ft) in diameter, or even more. The spreading branches can root, so a single plant can eventually cover a large area. Its foliage consists of two types of leaves: the juvenile ones have a scale-like appearance while the adult leaves are needles. Its small, tightly packed juvenile leaves release a resinous and aromatic odour when rubbed. From spring to autumn, the foliage has a grey-green colour with intense blue reflections, gradually taking on a beautiful, somewhat indefinable grey-purple-to-purple colour in winter. Junipers have a shallow root system that makes them fragile when it comes to transplantation. It also makes them vulnerable to strong winds and difficult to associate with perennials.

'Blue Chip' is an extraordinary conifer. It is undemanding and easily conquers space in the most difficult areas of the garden as long as they are sunny. Plant it in a dry garden, on a large slope, among rocks, or above a wall, as it goes well with geometric lines and masonry structures. It can also be planted near a water feature, overlooking a rocky slope. It adapts very well to container cultivation. The structural qualities of conifers naturally shine in a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of forms, silhouettes, and textures over the fleeting appearance of flowers. These plants have a reassuring permanence that provides lasting structure to a flower bed. They can be used to mark pathways and border terraces, easily replacing trimmed boxwood or holly. They go well with tousled grasses like beach grass, with a very complementary temperament. The key is to play with volumes and colours.