Blue Star Juniper Tree for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by Mary Van Keuren | Gardener (30+ Years Experience) – last update on January 10, 2023

Planting instructions

Site your tree in soil that drains well and receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. Unpot the sapling and tease out any encircling roots, which can girdle the tree and slowly kill it. Dig a hole that’s as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Place the tree in it, spreading out the roots. Holding it upright and steady, fill in around the roots with topsoil, tamping down as you go to eliminate air pockets. Water thoroughly. Apply a two to three-inch layer of organic compost such as bark chips around the root zone to conserve moisture and hinder weed growth but keep it from touching the trunk to avoid problems with rot.

Watering and nutrients

During its first growing season, water your Blue Star Juniper every few days to help it establish a strong and extensive root system. After that, water whenever the soil is dry two inches below the surface—approximately once a week unless you receive rain. Fertilize in spring with a slow-release product designed for evergreen trees and shrubs, such as a 16-4-8 formula.

Pollination

Junipers are dioecious, meaning that male and female reproductive organs — cones rather than flowers — are on separate trees. Male cones produce pollen that is transferred to female cones through the action of the wind.

Pruning

Monitor your tree for any dead, diseased or damaged limbs and prune these out whenever you see them. Other than that, there is no required pruning that the tree needs. If you wish to shape it, however, you can prune it in early spring before new growth appears. These trees take well to pruning and can be trimmed into more formal shapes if desired.

Pests and diseases

The Blue Star Juniper is not prone to any disease or pests, and a healthy tree can generally fend off minor challenges on its own. Common insects that may appear on your tree include aphids, bagworms, scale insects and spider mites. If the infestation is severe, consider releasing beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings, which will attack the pests and help eliminate them. Junipers occasionally show signs of twig or tip blight, which is actually due to several fungal diseases that cause the foliage to turn brown and die off. This is more common during hot, wet weather. Fungicides are available to handle these diseases. It is also helpful when watering to direct your hose to the roots, rather than the leaves.

Achieving maximum results

Planting your Blue Star Juniper in a container is one way to achieve maximum results with this cultivar. To do so successfully, choose a container that is about twice the size of the root ball, with large drainage holes in the bottom. Use a good-quality potting mix and plant according to our directions above. Note that a container-grown plant may need more regular watering and feeding than one that’s grown in the ground. If you live farther north than this juniper’s range, growing it in a pot is one way to enjoy it without worrying about cold temperatures. Just bring it inside when your weather or windchill is predicted to be below -20 degrees Fahrenheit and keep it in a cool garage or basement, watering occasionally.

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