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Juniper Blue Arrow 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 up. “Blue Arrow” is translated as “Blue Arrow”. Blue Arrow juniper is suitable for cultivation on a stem, growing in a container, for creating a variety of landscape compositions, rock gardens, rocky and heather gardens.
Description juniper Blue Arrow
Juniper Blue Arrow (pictured) is a rocky type that has vertical, tightly pressed branches 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 culture does not lose its harmony for a long time. Neither with age, nor under the pressure of snow, in winter.
Appearance Description:
- needles – scaly, soft, blue, sometimes blue;
- fruits – blue cone berries, with a bluish bloom.
Advantages of the variety:
- Frost resistance
- Drought resistance.
- Unpretentiousness to the soil. Can grow in rocky areas.
- Resistant to any climatic conditions.
Sizes of an adult plant of juniper rocky Blue Arrow
At 10 years old, the height of the Blue Arrow juniper is 2-3 m. The crown diameter of the tree is about 50-70 cm. An adult plant grows up to 5 m.
Blue Arrow juniper growth rate
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.
Blue Arrow juniper root system
The root system of the Blue Arroy juniper is the same as that of most coniferous crops – superficial, highly branched.
Blue Arrow Rock Juniper Hardiness Zone
The Blue Arrow variety is characterized by high winter hardiness and frost resistance. Winter hardiness zone – 4 (plants withstand frosts down to -28-34 ° C). But sometimes young shoots freeze at an early age.
How many years does Blue Arrow juniper live
Juniper Blue Arrow is a long-liver. 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. It is especially important to use it in small areas. Due 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 a long time, which significantly expands the range of its use in landscape design.
Planting and caring for Blue Arrow Juniper
Growing rocky juniper Blue Arrow (lat. Juniperus Scopulorum Blu Arrow) is easy. Subject to the rules of planting and care, good survival and rapid growth are ensured, and the trees have an attractive appearance.
When to Plant Rocky Juniper Blue Arrow
Planting seedlings with an open root system should be carried out 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 transplanted all year round (March to December).
Seedling and planting preparation
Plants are demanding on light, so they should be planted in well-lit places, protected from the wind. With a lack of light, the needles of the Blue Arrow juniper 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 evergreens perfectly tolerate any neighborhood, so they can be planted next to almost all garden crops. When choosing a place for landing, preference should be given to areas located on a hill.
Plants for planting are best taken acclimatized. The most suitable option would be seedlings in a container, since when they are transplanted, the root system will not be damaged. Accordingly, the period of rooting and survival will be much easier and faster.
Blue Arrow juniper planting rules
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 clod of earth takes root best of all.
- The dimensions of the landing hole should be several times the volume of the earthen coma, both in depth and in 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 ratio of 1: 1).
- The introduction of root formation stimulants into the soil increases the survival rate.
- Do not deepen the root neck of the seedling too much, nor should it 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, seedlings are recommended to be watered abundantly.
Watering and fertilizing juniper virginiana Blue Arrow
One of the important activities for the care of rock juniper Blue Arrow is watering and top dressing. Watering juniper bushes should be, 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 in 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 1 time per decade (in a very dry summer). Abundant, daily moisture of mature trees can lead to the complete death of plants.
In order to ensure good growth, intensive and full development, Blue Arrow should be fed periodically. The first top dressing should be applied to the soil immediately at the time of 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 need any specific care. Good growth culture will provide standard garden procedures. Juniper is quite responsive to shallow loosening of the soil. It is also necessary to carry out mulching of the near-stem circle. This technique will reduce the evaporation of moisture from the soil, as well as prevent its overheating. As mulch, you can use tree bark, needles, gravel, pebbles and other natural and inorganic materials.
Blue Arrow juniper haircut
Rocky juniper Blue Arrow has a stable, cone-shaped crown that does not need any special shaping. Only in the spring, sanitary pruning is carried out, removing broken or frozen branches after wintering.
You can cut trees with a decorative purpose, giving them an original sculptural shape. Haircut should be done before the start of sap flow. Juniper tolerates this procedure well, but you should not cut more than 1/3 of the shoot. After cutting, it is recommended to treat the tree with a fungicide as a preventive measure to prevent the development of fungal diseases.
Shelter of rock juniper Blue Arrow for the winter
Mature trees are characterized by good frost resistance, so they do not need special insulation and shelter for the winter. Only young trees should be covered, in the first time after planting.
Reproduction of juniper Blue Arrow
Juniper shrub propagates by seeds and cuttings. The most effective way to propagate Blue Arrow juniper is cuttings. Young shoots are used as cuttings, which are cut in the spring. Immediately after harvesting, they are planted in loose soil, having previously frequented the cut point by an average of 3 cm. Spring planting allows young bushes to take root well and get stronger by winter.
Seeds for propagation are used quite rarely, since this process is very laborious and lengthy. You will have to wait at least 5 years.
Pests and diseases of juniper Blue Arrow
The Blue Arroy rock variety is resistant to most diseases, but infection does occasionally occur. The most common disease that causes the greatest damage to trees is rust, a fungal infection. Signs of the disease are peculiar growths of a bright orange color that appear on the branches of a tree. Juniper Blue Arrow dries and loses its visual appeal.
Having found the first symptoms of the fungus, you should cut off the affected shoots as soon as possible and carry out the treatment with Phytocid. It is necessary to process infected plants until the signs of the disease disappear completely, with a frequency of 1 time in 2 weeks.
A great threat to the juniper is such harmful insects as aphids and moths. To combat aphids use Fitoferm. Decis effectively copes with the moth. Spraying shrubs is carried out 1 time in 14 days.
Conclusion
Juniper Blue Arrow is rightfully considered one of the best decorative conifers. Many gardeners and designers have appreciated its unique crown shape, unusual color and excellent adaptive characteristics. As part of landscape compositions, Blue Arrow occupies a central place, becoming the most beautiful and expressive design element.