A Grower Perspective

There are some pretty negative opinions about junipers out there. Some people might hear the word “juniper” and run away, screaming. What these running, screaming people may not know is that the juniper family is a widely diverse group that includes ground covers, shrubs and trees of all kinds of color, growth habit and landscaping applications. They also might not know that there are some truly beautiful specimens in the juniper family, one of which is ‘Wichita Blue.’ With proper site selection, junipers can reward you with years of care-free beauty. The two most important items for site selection: full sun and well-drained soil. In the Pacific Northwest, this juniper needs full sun to thrive. It will tolerate light shade, and in hotter climates, it appreciates more shade. The other essential, well-drained soil, will ensure success with this juniper.

But back to ‘Wichita Blue,’ this is a versatile and handsome tree that will grow at a moderate pace to about 15 feet tall and 5 feet wide. Its most attractive feature is its silvery blue foliage that retains its color throughout the year. It is beautiful as a stand-alone specimen. It works especially well in hedge situations because it forms a dense screen and grows tall enough to provide privacy while still allowing in the sunshine. The silhouette is pyramidal, but not in an uptight, triangular sort of way, it is softer and broader. Plant this blue beauty with the chestnut-colored ‘PJM’ Rhododendron and prepare to have a new love for junipers.