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Blue Arrow juniper is a valuable ornamental species of coniferous trees and shrubs. The variety got its name due to its unusual appearance. The needles of the tree have a bright bluish tint, the shape resembles an arrow rushing upward. “Blue Arrow” is translated as “Blue Arrow”. Blue Arrow juniper is suitable for cultivation on a trunk, growing in a container, for creating a variety of landscape compositions, rock gardens, rocky and heather gardens.
Description of juniper Blue Arrow
Blue Arrow juniper (pictured) is a rock type that has vertical branches tightly pressed to the trunk, they begin to grow from the very base. As a result, the tree acquires a columnar shape. The shoots are quite tough, thanks to which this evergreen crop does not lose its slenderness for a long time. Neither with age, nor under the pressure of snow, in winter.
Description of appearance:
- needles – scaly, soft, blue, sometimes blue;
- The fruits are blue cones, with a bluish tinge.
Advantages of the variety:
- Frost resistance.
- Drought resistance.
- Unpretentiousness to the soil. Can grow on rocky terrain.
- Resistance to any climatic conditions.
Dimensions of an adult plant of rock juniper Blue Arrow
At 10 years old, the height of the Blue Arrow juniper is 2-3 m. The diameter of the tree crown is about 50-70 cm. An adult plant grows up to 5 m.
Growth rate of Blue Arrow juniper
The growth rate of Blue Arrow rock juniper is quite high. The annual growth averages 15-20 cm in height and 5 cm in width.
Root system of Blue Arrow juniper
The root system of Blue Arroy juniper is the same as that of most coniferous crops - superficial, highly branched.
Winter hardiness zone of rock juniper Blue Arrow
The Blue Arrow variety is distinguished by high levels of winter hardiness and frost resistance. Winter hardiness zone – 4 (plants can withstand frosts down to – 28-34 °C). But sometimes young shoots freeze at an early age.
How long does Blue Arrow juniper live?
Blue Arrow juniper is a long-living plant. On average, plants live about 200-300 years.
Juniper Blue Arrow in landscape design
With the help of Blue Arrow juniper, you can create a unique and delightful landscape design in any suburban area, in a park or urban area. Its use is especially relevant in small areas. Thanks to the original shape of the crown, Blue Arrow juniper is used in single and group plantings (with other coniferous and deciduous crops), to create alleys, rockeries, alpine slides and hedges. Seedlings planted in containers or flowerpots can decorate terraces and balconies.
The Blue Arrow variety retains an attractive crown shape for a long time, while the lower shoots do not die off for quite a long time, which significantly expands the range of its use in landscape design.
Planting and caring for Blue Arrow juniper
Growing rock juniper Blue Arrow (lat. Juniperus Scopulorum Blu Arrow) is not difficult. Subject to the rules of planting and care, good survival rate and rapid growth are ensured, and the trees have an attractive appearance.
When to plant rock juniper Blue Arrow
Seedlings with an open root system should be planted in the spring, after the soil has completely warmed up (from March to May) or in the fall, before the onset of persistent frosts (September-November). Container plants can be replanted all year round (March to December).
Preparing seedlings and planting area
Plants are demanding of light, so they should be planted in well-lit places protected from the wind. With a lack of light, Blue Arrow juniper needles lose their natural brightness and gradually turn yellow.
Juniper shrubs can grow and develop well in almost any soil, regardless of its chemical composition. Also, these evergreen plants tolerate any neighborhood well, so they can be planted next to almost all garden crops. When choosing a place for planting, preference should be given to areas located on a hill.
It is better to take acclimatized plants for planting. The most suitable option would be seedlings in a container, since transplanting them will not damage the root system. Accordingly, the period of rooting and survival will be much easier and faster.
Rules for planting Blue Arrow juniper
Planting rules are common to all types of juniper, including the Blue Arrow variety. When planting seedlings, you should adhere to the following recommendations:
- The root system with a lump of earth takes root best.
- The dimensions of the planting hole should be several times greater than the volume of the earthen ball, both in depth and width.
- The bottom of the hole must be drained.
- Fill the free space in the hole with soil mixed with a special mixture for coniferous crops (in a 1:1 ratio).
- The introduction of root formation stimulants into the soil increases survival rate.
- Do not deepen the root collar of the seedling too much, and it should not protrude above the ground.
- The roots of the seedling should be placed vertically.
- The optimal distance between seedlings is at least 80 cm.
- After planting, it is recommended to water the seedlings abundantly.
Watering and fertilizing juniper virginiana Blue Arrow
One of the important measures for caring for Blue Arrow rock juniper is watering and fertilizing. Juniper shrubs should be watered taking into account their individual characteristics, namely the structure of the root system, which has the ability to extract moisture from the soil.
Blue Arroy needs intensive watering during the first week after planting. During this period, it is recommended to water the plant daily. The rest of the time, watering should not be too frequent, on average once a decade (in very dry summers). Excessive, daily watering of mature trees can lead to complete plant death.
In order to ensure good growth, intensive and full development, Blue Arrow should be fed periodically. The first fertilizing should be applied to the soil immediately during planting. Then it is recommended to fertilize the plants no more than once a year. It is preferable to feed junipers in the spring, in April-May, with special complex fertilizers for coniferous crops.
Mulching and loosening
The Blue Arroy variety does not require any specific care.Good growth of the crop will be ensured by standard gardening procedures. Juniper is quite responsive to shallow loosening of the soil. It is also necessary to mulch the tree trunk circle. This technique will reduce the evaporation of moisture from the soil and also prevent it from overheating. Tree bark, pine needles, gravel, pebbles and other natural and inorganic materials can be used as mulch.
Cutting Blue Arrow juniper
Rock juniper Blue Arrow has a stable, cone-shaped crown that does not require any special shaping. Only in the spring is sanitary pruning carried out, removing broken or frozen branches after wintering.
You can trim trees for decorative purposes, giving them an original sculptural shape. The haircut should be done before the sap begins to flow. Juniper tolerates this procedure well, but you should not cut off more than 1/3 of the shoot. After pruning, it is recommended to treat the tree with a fungicide for preventive purposes to prevent the development of fungal diseases.
Shelter of rock juniper Blue Arrow for the winter
Mature trees have good frost resistance, so they do not need special insulation and shelter for the winter. Only young trees should be covered during the first time after planting.
Propagation of juniper Blue Arrow
Juniper shrubs are propagated by seeds and cuttings. The most effective way to propagate Blue Arrow juniper is by cuttings.Young shoots are used as cuttings, which are cut in the spring. Immediately after harvesting, they are planted in loose soil, having previously thinned the cut area by an average of 3 cm. Spring planting allows young bushes to take root well and become stronger by winter.
Seeds are rarely used for propagation, since this process is very labor-intensive and time-consuming. You will have to wait at least 5 years.
Pests and diseases of Blue Arrow juniper
The Blue Arroy rock variety is resistant to most diseases, but infections do occasionally occur. The most common disease that causes the greatest harm to trees is rust, a fungal infection. Signs of the disease are peculiar bright orange growths that appear on tree branches. At the same time, Blue Arrow juniper dries and loses its visual appeal.
Having discovered the first symptoms of the fungus, you should cut off the affected shoots as quickly as possible and treat them with Phytocide. It is necessary to treat infected plants until signs of the disease completely disappear, once every 2 weeks.
A major threat to juniper is posed by harmful insects such as aphids and moths. To combat aphids, use “Fitoferm”. “Decis” effectively copes with moths. Spraying of bushes is carried out once every 14 days.
Conclusion
Blue Arrow juniper is rightfully considered one of the best ornamental conifers.Many gardeners and designers appreciated its unique crown shape, unusual color and excellent adaptive characteristics. Blue Arrow occupies a central place in landscape compositions, becoming the most beautiful and expressive design element.
