How Fast Do Blue Point Junipers Grow?
Neither fast nor too slow, a moderate growth rate is what you will observe here
Do you need something tall and blue? If yes, there cannot be a better pick than the Blue Point Juniper. Botanically known as the Juniperus Chinensis Blue Point, it is a dwarf conical uniform-growing Chinese Juniper that enjoys beautiful blue-green foliage around the year.
One of the standout features of this tree is that it maintains its pyramid form and needs no pruning. But, if you wish to maintain its height and width to a shape, you can prune it as you like.
The blue point juniper growth rate per year is moderate, making it a good lawn specimen or a part of the varied planting around the home. It grows up to a foot every year. It also acts like an excellent privacy screen in cold or hot areas, shielding your garden from urban pollution and noise.
It is a prevalent garden tree. You can find it in box stores and garden centers. Dramatic and substantial, the Blue Point Juniper has a rugged natural beauty if left untrimmed. You can also trim it into formal conical shapes for drama and elegance. The tree is hardy up to -30 degrees and can thrive in the hottest states.
So, regardless of your geography, you can well enjoy the plant’s beauty. It is an easy-to-grow, drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant dwarf tree. Dig right in to find out more about this tree.
In This Article:
- Blue Point Junipers Overview
- How Fast Do Blue Point Junipers Grow?
- Factors Affecting the Juniper Tree Growth Rate
- Blue Point Juniper Root System – Is It Invasive?
- How Far Apart Do You Plant Blue Juniper From Each Other?
- Can Blue Point Junipers Grow in Pots?
- Can You Keep a Blue Point Juniper Small?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- To Sum Up
Blue Point Junipers Overview
Scientific Name | Juniperus Chinensis |
Soil Type | Adaptable, Well Drained |
Hardiness Zone | 4 A to 9 B |
Height | 12 feet |
Width | 8 Feet |
Sunlight | Full, Partial |
Drought Tolerance | Good |
Pruning Season | In summer |
Uses | Accent, Border, Hedge, Privacy Planting |
How Fast Do Blue Point Junipers Grow?
The Blue Point Juniper is an excellent evergreen, upright juniper with a moderate growth rate. It typically grows 6 inches to a foot per year. Hence, it takes a while for the plant to become a spectacular specimen on the lawn. You can also use it for varied planting around your home.
The tree grows steadily upright and reaches up to twelve feet tall and six to eight feet wide.
Related: Spartan Juniper Growth Rate | Taylor Juniper Growth Rate
Factors Affecting the Blue Point Juniper Tree Growth Rate
Blue Point Juniper is a cold-hardy plant that grows in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9. Hence, the tree can practically handle all kinds of environments. But, there are some factors you need to be careful of to ensure that this juniper variety thrives.
So, below, we will address some factors you need to remember for the plant’s good health and healthy growth rate. Here’s more on how fast do other juniper varieties grow.
A. Where must you plant a Blue Point Juniper?
When you decide on planting your Blue Point Juniper, pick the right spot. Ideally, opt for an area where the sun is complete. Of course, the plant can also tolerate part shade. The proper sunlight is quintessential if you are worried about the growth rate.
When planting the Blue Point Juniper near the house, ensure that you stay about four feet from the wall to assess how the soil is around the foundation. Next, dig a hole into the soil, typically as wide as the tree’s root ball. Position the root ball into the hole, ensuring the potting soil is approximately twenty-five percent above ground level.
Further, backfill the hole with the amended soil. After this, water thoroughly. For an added boost and to amplify how fast do blue point junipers grow, you can use a starter fertilizer like the Biotone Starter Plus.
B. Soil selection
Next, perform a soil assessment to ensure that the soil is adequate and well-draining. Fortunately, the Blue Point Juniper can handle every kind of soil, but they love the sandy, light soil. If required, you can make amends in the ground with gypsum or pine fines. It can help break up any clay.
You must do your best to establish stability as soon as you plant it to ensure the roots settle in properly. If it is well-draining soil, the plant will be content.
You can also place some rocks at the bottom to facilitate good drainage. This beautiful conifer can thrive in alkaline or acidic soil, but it loves the acidic soil better. However, adding some acidic content to the earth can help the plant absorb nutrients like magnesium, nitrogen, and potassium better.
The correct soil can help blue point junipers grow because it does an excellent job of retaining the elements and preventing the water from washing out.
C. Watering
Water the Blue Point Juniper when planting and during the initial establishment. The plant has a fibrous root system. Thus, they seek extra water during establishment. In the initial two months of the plantation, we recommend watering at least one to two times per week.
After that, you can reduce the watering frequency to only a few times every month for the next four months. In this while, the tree establishes. Hence, its watering requirements also reduce. So, now, you only need to water the tree in extreme drought or heat conditions.
However, overwatering and underwatering can hamper the blue point juniper tree growth rate. But, it is better to err on the less side if you reside in an area that receives heavy rain. Ideally, we recommend feeling the topsoil before watering. If it feels dry, you can water it.
D. Pruning
In all honesty, the Blue Point Junipers do not have an aggressive need for manicuring. However, if you like to shape the tree in your desired shape, bearing in mind the topiary, you must annually prune the plant. However, avoid pruning it during the coldest and the hottest months. It can strain the tree and intervene with its development.
Also, if you live in a colder region, you must avoid trimming in the late fall as that can burn the new growth. While pruning, employ sharp, clean tools to prevent ragged cuts that can detract from your plant’s beauty.
E. Temperature
The Blue Point Juniper is a low-maintenance and adaptable tree. Hence, you do not have to stress too much about the temperature.
The trees are hardy and can flourish in harsh cold, and hot environments. Till the temperature drops below -34 degrees, your Blue Point Juniper will thrive.
F. Fertilization
If your ground soil is not good, we recommend fertilizing the plant. You must fertilize the tree annually to maintain its health and hardiness. Fertilizing also helps boost blue point juniper growth rate per year and makes the plant stronger. The best time to fertilize is early spring, as the tree will soon enter its growth season.
Botanists recommend using a slow-release fertilizer and applying it at the tree’s base. Alternatively, you can also use bone meal or organic fertilizer. It, too, must be applied around the roots. Regardless of your chosen fertilizer, you must water the plant immediately post application to receive the best results.
G. Diseases and pests
Even though Blue Point Junipers are not susceptible to disease or pest attack, there may be a rare attack once in a while, which can intervene with how fast do blue point juniper trees grow and slow it down further. Occasional pests like mites, scale, bagworms, and aphids can harm the plant, but they are not very serious.
But, Phomopsis fungus can have severe implications on the plant’s health, especially if you grow it in shady or wet conditions. You can see them as the death of the young growing shoots scattered around the plant. It can be both severe and mild. In the case of the former, the plant may die.
Blue Point Juniper Root System – Is It Invasive?
The Blue Point Juniper has invasive roots. So, plant the junipers at least three to six feet away from the foundation, and leave the windows because the plant’s eventual height will black the windows.
How Far Apart Do You Plant Blue Juniper From Each Other?
If you plant the Blue Juniper in the garden, you should keep a distance of five to six feet between the two plants. Keep them six to ten inches apart if you want a juniper bonsai. The idea is to have ample space to let the plant expand as needed.
Can Blue Point Junipers Grow In Pots?
Typically, a Blue Point Juniper ceases growth after reaching 10-12 feet. Hence, they are considered dwarf evergreen and excellent specimens for container gardens. But we recommend transferring them to large pots that allow the tree to grow at least six feet tall with a healthy lifespan. It helps avoid curtailing the roots and the risk of breaking or killing the container.
Also, we recommend picking a pot with holes to allow good drainage to accommodate a drought-tolerant tree like a Blue Point Juniper.
Can You Keep A Blue Point Juniper Small?
Belonging to Juniperus Genus, Blue point juniper growth rate per year is moderate. So, it is possible to keep the plant small with regular pruning. Since the plant develops new shoots and leaves during spring, this is when maximum maintenance is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques 1. Should I plant a blue point juniper?
Ans. Blue Point Juniper is a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape tree. Hence, we recommend growing it in your garden or lawn where there is enough space for it to flourish.
Ques 2. How to Create a Spiral Blue Point Juniper Tree?
Ans. To create a spiral blue point juniper tree, you can prune the foliage between the ribbon strips to get the required design.
Next, cut the branches until the back of the trunk with square edges in the remainder foliage, leaving two separate spirals – one space and one underneath the ribbons.
Ques 3. How Can You Utilize Blue Point Junipers for Your Landscape?
Ans. You can use the plant as an excellent lawn specimen or a part of the varied planting around the home. It also works as a privacy screen in cold or hot areas, shielding your garden from urban pollution and noise.
To Sum Up
We have established that Blue point Juniper tree growth rate is moderate (up to a foot each year) and it does well with little care. So, for all of you who were confused about the tree, hope you will be able to make up your mind now whether to have it or not.