How to Grow Blue Chip Creeping Juniper
Wikimedia Commons
Blue Chip Creeping Juniper
Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip'
shrubBlue Chip is a low-growing, prostrate juniper cultivar known for its silvery-blue foliage and dense, spreading habit. It grows only 4-6 inches tall but spreads 3-4 feet wide, making it an excellent groundcover for landscape applications. The fine, needle-like foliage turns slightly purple in cold winter temperatures.
When should you plant Blue Chip Creeping Juniper in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Blue Chip Creeping Juniper timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Blue Chip Creeping Juniper
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Blue Chip Creeping Juniper
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Blue Chip Creeping Juniper dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9, extremely cold-hardy and heat-tolerant
Sign up free to see if Blue Chip Creeping Juniper grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Blue Chip Creeping Juniper timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
First yearYoung plant with compact, tight growth habit; foliage is silvery-blue; slow initial growth as root system develops
Water regularly during first growing season; mulch around base with 2-3 inches of organic material to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature; avoid overwatering
Early Growth
Year 2-3Plant spreads outward along ground; foliage becomes denser; lateral branches extend gradually
Maintain consistent moisture during dry periods; begin light pruning if needed to shape or direct growth; reduce watering frequency as root system matures
Mature Spread
Year 3 onwardPlant achieves full 3-4 foot width; dense, uniform mounding appearance; color transitions to purple tones in fall/winter
Minimal pruning needed; remove any dead or damaged branches in spring; drought-tolerant; established plants rarely need supplemental watering
Long-term Maintenance
Indefinite (30+ year lifespan)Fully established groundcover with dense canopy; maintains low profile; foliage color cycles seasonally from blue to purple
Prune only to remove dead wood or maintain desired shape; no fertilizer needed in most soils; excellent winter color interest; extremely low-maintenance
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Spray with strong water stream; use miticide if severe; improve air circulation; ensure adequate humidity during hot, dry periods
-
Hand-pick bags in fall/winter; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in early summer before bags fully form; prune infected branches
-
Spray with horticultural oil in spring or fall; remove heavily infested branches; encourage beneficial predators
-
Prune and destroy infected branches immediately; improve drainage and air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply fungicide in spring if recurring
Uses
Groundcover and Erosion Control
LandscapeBlue Chip's dense, spreading growth habit and extremely low stature make it ideal for covering slopes, retaining walls, and sunny areas where foot traffic is minimal. Its ability to establish deep roots helps prevent soil erosion on hillsides. [source]
Xeriscape and Drought-Resistant Landscaping
LandscapeOnce established, Blue Chip requires virtually no supplemental water, making it perfect for water-conservation landscapes, native plant gardens, and arid climates. Its performance in low-water conditions makes it increasingly popular as climate patterns shift. [source]
Seasonal Color Interest
CraftThe foliage transitions from silvery-blue in spring/summer to deep purple and burgundy tones in fall and winter, providing year-round visual interest and winter landscape color when many plants are dormant. [source]
Wildlife Habitat and Cover
WildlifeThe dense, low growth provides shelter and nesting cover for small birds, insects, and ground-dwelling wildlife. Its persistent foliage offers year-round protection and food sources for beneficial insects. [source]
Low-Maintenance Landscaping
HouseholdBlue Chip requires minimal pruning, no fertilization, and virtually no pest management once established, making it an economical choice for residential and commercial landscapes seeking low-input maintenance. [source]
Harvest Tips
Not harvested; Blue Chip is grown as ornamental groundcover. Dead or damaged foliage can be selectively pruned in early spring. Avoid heavy pruning as recovery is slow.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Blue Chip was developed and introduced by Bailey Nurseries and has become one of the most reliable and popular creeping juniper cultivars in North America due to its superior cold hardiness and disease resistance.
- 🌱 The silvery-blue color is most vibrant in full sun; plants grown in partial shade tend to be more green, demonstrating how environmental conditions affect ornamental foliage color expression.
- 🌱 Despite their needle-like appearance, junipers are not true conifers but rather modified scales; what appears as fine needles are actually tightly compressed, scale-like leaves that provide water conservation in harsh conditions.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Blue Chip Creeping Juniper planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Blue Chip Creeping Juniper seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Blue Chip Creeping Juniper timeline →