Juniperus
Icee Blue Juniper
Juniperus horizontalis
Also known as: creeping juniper, creeping savin, horizontal juniper, prostrate juniper
- Evergreens
- Full Sun
- Low
- 120 cm
- Low
Creeping Juniper or Juniperus horizontalis 'Monber' ICEE BLUE is a low-growing evergreen groundcover. It produces fan-like sprays of needle-like, soft, blue-green foliage, giving it an overall icee blue hue. An ideal selection for cascading over walls, rock gardens or borders, it remains tufted and low-slung and can handle heat, humidity, drought and varying soil conditions. It is deer-resistant, uncomplaining, and favors average moisture, full sun and well-drained soils. Once established, it needs little maintenance and can be pruned to shape if it becomes ragged or overgrown.
- Native status
- Native to Manitoba
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Resistant to
- Drought
Care guides
Watering
Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Monber' ICEE BLUE) should be watered 1 to 2 times per week. In between waterings, the soil should be allowed to dry out slightly but not completely. During hot, dry weather, the plant should receive a little extra water. Additionally, the soil should be monitored during extreme weather conditions and watered as needed. In general, during the warmer months of the year, creeping juniper should be watered deeply once a week when there is no rainfall. During the cooler months of the year, watering should be reduced and only done when the soil feels dry to the touch.
Sunlight
Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Monber' ICEE BLUE) should receive full to partial sunlight for optimal growth and coloring. The amount of sunlight it receives should be between 3 – 6 hours of direct sunlight daily during the growing season. It is best to place the plants in areas where they receive sun in the early morning and then partial shade during the afternoon hours. Additionally, creeping juniper does best in areas with colder temperatures, such as those found in the northern US, making full sun exposure (6+ hours) more optimal during the winter months.
Pruning
Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Monber' ICEE BLUE) should be pruned in early spring, before the start of the growing season. Prune off up to 1-third of the previous season's growth. Prune in order to maintain the desired shape and size and to remove any dead branches. Prune any branches that look damaged or are rubbing against another branch. Prune the plant to an even height and width and avoid cutting into old wood. It is also important to keep the center of the plant open in order to get adequate air flow and good sun exposure.