Blue Carpet Flaky Juniper

Blue Carpet Flaky Juniper (Juniperus squamata 'Blue Carpet') is a low, mounding conifer about 1m high and 1.2m wide, with evergreen steel blue foliage. It is slow growing and extremely tough, taking frost, drought and humidity in its stride once settled. Few plants give so much cool colour at low level for so little upkeep.

Why you'll love it

• Steel blue all year. The evergreen foliage keeps its colour through every season, which makes it an anchor plant in mixed beds.
• Hardy from the mountains. The species comes from Afghanistan, the Himalayas and China, and the plant handles frost, drought and humidity.
• Soil is no obstacle. Clay, sand and chalk are all fine, provided drainage is reasonable.
• Almost no aftercare. Once established it needs very little attention.
• Recognised for performance. It holds the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, given for reliable garden performance.

Where it works best

Groundcover and banks. Plant 1m apart so the mounds knit into a blue carpet over several seasons. Growth is slow, so mulch the gaps in the meantime.

Conifer beds and cottage gardens. Its low blue form sits well in front of taller shrubs and perennials.

Dry and extreme sites. A good pick for hot, dry or cold gardens where temperatures swing widely.

Pots and bonsai. Slow growth and a compact habit make it a popular subject for bonsai practice, and it suits wide, shallow pots.

Growing Blue Carpet Flaky Juniper in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun or part shade, with the densest blue colour in sun. It is frost hardy, drought tolerant and humidity tolerant, so it suits a wide range of climates, from cool temperate to arid and subtropical gardens, as long as drainage is sound.

Soil. It tolerates most soil types, including clay, sand and chalk. The one requirement is free drainage.

Water and feed. Mulch and water well after planting and while it establishes. After that it needs almost no care, and watering is only for long dry spells.

Pruning. Pruning is rarely needed. Trim any wayward branch lightly into green growth to keep the mound tidy.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Blue Carpet Flaky Juniper as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tube stock is the economical choice for covering a bank, as the plants knit together slowly. The 200mm pots give you a bigger, more filled out mound from the start. Young plants arrive packed for the journey, so unbox them on the day and water them in.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full range of junipers
• Low maintenance ground covers
• Rockery plants
• How to grow and care for conifers

Common questions

How fast does it spread?

Slowly. Expect a mound about 1m high and 1.2m wide at maturity, reached over several years. Plant at 1m spacing and mulch between plants so weeds do not move in.

Will it grow in shade?

It grows in full sun or part shade. The foliage colours best in sun, so give it as much light as you can.

Can I grow it as a bonsai?

Yes. The slow growth and compact habit are why it is a popular bonsai subject. Keep the container free draining.