Juniperus scopulorum 'Blue Arrow' / Blue Arrow Rocky Mountain juniper
Juniperus scopulorum 'Blue Arrow' is a fairly fast growing, narrow, upright selection of Rocky Mountain juniper with dense branching holding bright, blue-green foliage and silvery berries in winter. After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 12 to 15 feet (4 - 5 m) tall and only 2 feet (60 cm) wide, an annual growth rate of 15 to 18 inches (37 - 45 cm).
'Blue Arrow' is a good choice for those wanting a formal, Mediterranean-style garden, but live in a climate that is too cold for Cupressus sempervirens to survive.
This cultivar originated as a seedling selected in 1949 at Pine Grove Nurseries, Clearfield, Pennsylvania, USA. Many growers consider it to be an vast improvement over the older, ubiquitous, Juniperus scopulorum 'Skyrocket.'
Juniperus scopulorum 'Blue Arrow' a nice, blue-green formal, upright conifer.
Photo by Paramount Nursery, Inc.
Comments
Bonnie
Could these be trimmed at the top to maintain a desired height?
David Olszyk
sure.
Hester
Hi David. Do you (or anyone else) know when I can trim my Blue Arrow? Some websites mention September. Also a website mentioned it's best to trim in late winter (when the heavy frost is passed). Can you advise? I live in the Netherlands. September is autumn and +/- 15 degrees C. Late winter +/- 5 degrees C (and the spring sets in around march/april.
David Olszyk
Hester, you can shear your plant whenever you get the time.
Gary Askea
Are these okay for zones 7 & 8 ?
David Olszyk
sure.
Rhonda
Do you need to shape it. Mine is getting 'floppy' as it grows. The branches are starting to act as if they are too heavy to stay upright.
Robin
Can you tell me about the root system? Can these be planted up next to a foundation?
David Olszyk
root system can be described as fibrous, spreading and adventitious. Feeder roots will spread out several feet from the crown in search of water and nutrients.
Bob
I am concerned if my male dog relieves himself on them
Barbara Belt
I am considering a 'Blue Arrow', I understand it stays about 2 feet wide. I have a small yard. I live in Colorado and concerned about how it does with snow weight. How does it hold up?I find nothing on this subject on the garden websites. I heard the Woodward (Plant select) does well with snow weight but I don't like the looks of it as well. Any help would be appreciated.
David Olszyk
Hi Barbara ... snow and ice will definitely splay those fine fastigiate branches. If you don't want that that to happen, try doing what I do: before expected snow or ice, get a bunch of old bicycle tubes and and wrap that plant. As the snow event is taking place. Give the plant a few whaps with a broom before it builds up too much.
Steve Yoder
Does anyone know where these can be purchased online? Monrovia ships them, but not to Lafayette, Indiana, where I live (not sure why since it should do OK here). The local garden centers do not carry them either.
Paulina Nelega
How far apart should these be planted from one another, and how deep? Thank you.
David Olszyk
if you're trying to create a mass planting, you can plant these as far apart as you please. As for depth, always plant to a depth that the root flare is visible. Planting too deep will virtually guarantee to suffocate the root system within 15 years of planting.
Robyn Meyer
Do deer like to eat these trees?
David Olszyk
deer are extremely local problems. If they're starving in your neighborhood, any non-toxic plant is fair game. Junipers are non-toxic.
Dan McCormick
I want these for the front entrance which is fairly well shaded . I’m ok if they don’t reach mature height - but will they still work in the space ?
David Olszyk
the more shade, the less dense the foliage and branching. They'll likely "open up" and look sparse.
Lisa Arrowood
I’m thinking of planting these on a ledge behind my house where there isn’t depo soil.
They will be I. Full sun and will have wind protection from house on one side and mature large trees below the ledge on the other. I’m in Massachusetts so there is snow. I
At these a poor choice for that location?
Comments
Could these be trimmed at the top to maintain a desired height?
sure.
Hi David. Do you (or anyone else) know when I can trim my Blue Arrow? Some websites mention September. Also a website mentioned it's best to trim in late winter (when the heavy frost is passed). Can you advise? I live in the Netherlands. September is autumn and +/- 15 degrees C. Late winter +/- 5 degrees C (and the spring sets in around march/april.
Hester, you can shear your plant whenever you get the time.
Are these okay for zones 7 & 8 ?
sure.
Do you need to shape it. Mine is getting 'floppy' as it grows. The branches are starting to act as if they are too heavy to stay upright.
Can you tell me about the root system? Can these be planted up next to a foundation?
root system can be described as fibrous, spreading and adventitious. Feeder roots will spread out several feet from the crown in search of water and nutrients.
I am concerned if my male dog relieves himself on them
I am considering a 'Blue Arrow', I understand it stays about 2 feet wide. I have a small yard. I live in Colorado and concerned about how it does with snow weight. How does it hold up?I find nothing on this subject on the garden websites. I heard the Woodward (Plant select) does well with snow weight but I don't like the looks of it as well. Any help would be appreciated.
Hi Barbara ... snow and ice will definitely splay those fine fastigiate branches. If you don't want that that to happen, try doing what I do: before expected snow or ice, get a bunch of old bicycle tubes and and wrap that plant. As the snow event is taking place. Give the plant a few whaps with a broom before it builds up too much.
Does anyone know where these can be purchased online? Monrovia ships them, but not to Lafayette, Indiana, where I live (not sure why since it should do OK here). The local garden centers do not carry them either.
How far apart should these be planted from one another, and how deep? Thank you.
if you're trying to create a mass planting, you can plant these as far apart as you please. As for depth, always plant to a depth that the root flare is visible. Planting too deep will virtually guarantee to suffocate the root system within 15 years of planting.
Do deer like to eat these trees?
deer are extremely local problems. If they're starving in your neighborhood, any non-toxic plant is fair game. Junipers are non-toxic.
I want these for the front entrance which is fairly well shaded . I’m ok if they don’t reach mature height - but will they still work in the space ?
the more shade, the less dense the foliage and branching. They'll likely "open up" and look sparse.
I’m thinking of planting these on a ledge behind my house where there isn’t depo soil.
They will be I. Full sun and will have wind protection from house on one side and mature large trees below the ledge on the other. I’m in Massachusetts so there is snow. I
At these a poor choice for that location?