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The U.S. National Arboretum presents Juniperus conferta 'Blue Lagoon', a handsome ground cover juniper for difficult places. Forming a tight dense mat, 'Blue Lagoon' is lower growing and more compact than the species or other cultivars of shore juniper. The medium bluish-green summer color is transformed in winter to a beautiful plum hue. This sturdy plant can be counted on to meet the challenges of some of the most difficult garden areas! |
'Blue Lagoon'
Shore Juniper
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Botanical Name: | Juniperus conferta Parl. 'Blue Lagoon'
(NA 40040; PI 564264) |
Family: | Cupressaceae |
Hardiness: | U.S.D.A. Zones 6 - 8 |
Development: | In 1976, former U.S. National Arboretum Director Dr. John L. Creech and Horticulturist Sylvester G. March discovered this plant in cultivation at the Aritaki Arboretum, Saitama-Ken, Japan. Cuttings of this plant were brought back to the U.S. National Arboretum and propagated. Following nine years of evaluation in the conifer collections at the arboretum, the plant was named 'Blue Lagoon' and released in 1992. |
Significance: | 'Blue Lagoon' is lower growing and more compact than the species or other named cultivars of shore juniper. It forms a dense tight mat at maturity with an annual growth rate of eight to ten inches. The medium bluish-green foliage turns a plum color in winter. The plant is extremely drought and salt tolerant. |
Description: | Height and Width: 6 inches tall
with an annual growth rate of 8-10 inches in width.
Habit: Evergreen, low-growing, compact, prostrate shrub, forming a dense tight mat at maturity. Foliage: Medium bluish-green color with a single white stomatic band on each small, awl-shaped needle. Foliage turns a plum color in winter. Flowers: Male, inconspicuous. |
Culture: | Performs well in sandy or poor soils and tolerates drought and high salt levels. Avoid planting in areas of excessive moisture or poorly drained soils. Grows best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade. |
Propagation: | Roots fairly easily from cuttings of current year's growth with a small portion of second-year wood included. Take cuttings after first frost, 8000 ppm IBA, under mist, in perlite. |
Landscape Use: | Excellent evergreen ground cover for use in dry, sandy areas or shore plantings. Low, dense, prostrate growth habit and tolerance of poor conditions make it an excellent choice for difficult urban sites, highway embankments, shopping areas, industrial parks, recreational areas, and mass plantings as a ground cover. |
Availability: | Limited availability from wholesale and retail nurseries. |
U.S. National Arboretum Plant Introduction
U.S. National Arboretum, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 3501 New York Ave., N.E., Washington, DC 20002 |
Last Updated January 14, 2002
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