Types of Juniper Ground Cover
- Four varieties of juniper are recommended by Purdue University for ground cover. Ideally, planting should be carried out in spring, although juniper can be planted at any time of the year. Before planting, prepare the soil by digging 10 inches deep and mixing 2 inches of peat moss or manure into it. Add a complete fertilizer to the soil, such as 12-12-12. Space the plants according to the recommended measurements for your variety. Dig a hole the same depth as the rootball, position the plant, then refill with soil. Keep the plant well-watered and place a 2-inch layer of mulch on top of the immediate soil area, such as wood chips or straw, to help retain moisture and keep weeds at bay.
- Sunny locations are ideal for Juniperus chinensis. It grows flat and reaches 18 to 24 inches high and 8 to 10 feet wide. The flat shape is good for providing a mat of cover on slopes or to fill in areas that are awkward to plant. Needles have a distinctive steel-blue color.
- This hardy variety enjoys sandy soils and can thrive in poor soils or windy exposed locations. Juniperus conferta reaches 12 inches high and prefers sunny spots but is suitable for any position in the garden. It has a coarse texture and shaggy appearance, which make it suitable for informal planting designs.
- If you live in a city or your soil is dry, Juniperus horizontalis is ideal because it is very hardy. It has blue-green needles and grows into a thick mat that reaches 12 to 18 inches high. Popular cultivars include Douglasii, which has steel-blue foliage during summer and a hint of purple in winter.
- Rockeries and slopes are good positions for Juniperus procumbens because it is slow-growing and has stiff branches and dense foliage. Its considered by horticulturalists to be the best slow-growing juniper. Needles are steel-blue in color and the shrub reaches 2 feet high and 5 feet wide.