Juniperus chinensis 'Ames' is an upright, vase-shaped to broadly pyramidal selection of Chinese juniper with rigid, spire-like branching and foliage that flushes with attractive steel-blue spring growth that later fades to dark, blue-green as the growing season progresses. After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 10 feet (3.2 m) tall and 8 feet (2.6 m) wide, an annual growth rate of 12 inches (30 cm) or less.
This cultivar originated as a seedling selected in 1935 by F. J. Maney, while at Iowa State College. Ames, Iowa, USA. Clearly the cultivar name honors the city of Ames, Iowa.
