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Blue Arrow juniper is a valuable decorative species of conifers 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 upward. "Blue Arrow" translates as "Blue Arrow."
Blue Arrow Juniper Description
The Blue Arrow juniper (pictured) is a rock type that has vertical branches tightly pressed to the trunk, they begin to grow from the very base. As a result, the tree takes on a columnar shape. The shoots are quite tough, due 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 cones, with a bluish bloom.
Advantages of the variety:
- Frost resistance.
- Drought resistance.
- Unpretentiousness to the soil. Can grow in rocky terrain.
- Resistant to any climatic conditions.
Dimensions of an adult rocky Blue Arrow juniper plant
At 10 years old, the height of the Blue Arrow juniper is 2-3 m.The diameter of the crown of the tree is about 50-70 cm.An adult plant grows up to 5 m.
Growth rate of Blue Arrow juniper
The growth rate of the rocky juniper Blue Arrow is quite high. 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 conifers - superficial, highly branched.
Blue Arrow rocky juniper winter hardiness zone
The Blue Arrow variety is distinguished by high rates of winter hardiness and frost resistance. Winter hardiness zone - 4 (plants can withstand frosts down to - 28-34 ° С). But sometimes young shoots freeze at an early age.
How many years does Blue Arrow juniper live?
The Blue Arrow juniper is a long-liver. On average, plants live for 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. Its use is especially important 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 hills and hedges. Saplings planted in containers or flowerpots can be used to 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 the Blue Arrow juniper
It is not difficult to grow Blue Arrow rock juniper (Latin Juniperus Scopulorum Blu Arrow). If the rules of planting and care are followed, good survival and rapid growth are ensured, and the trees have an attractive appearance.
When to plant Blue Arrow rock juniper
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 stable frosts (September-November). Container plants can be replanted all year round (March to December).
Seedling and planting plot preparation
Plants are light-demanding, so they should be planted in well-lit places, protected from the wind. With a lack of light, Blue Arrow juniper needles lose their natural brightness and gradually turn yellow.
A juniper shrub 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.
It is better to take acclimatized plants for planting. 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 lump of earth takes root best of all.
- The dimensions of the landing hole should be several times larger than the volume of the earthen coma, both in depth and in width.
- The bottom of the fossa must be drained.
- Cover the free space in the hole with soil mixed with a special mixture for conifers (in a 1: 1 ratio).
- The introduction of root formation stimulants into the soil increases the survival rate.
- Do not deepen the root collar of the seedling, nor should it protrude above the ground.
- The roots of the seedling should be placed vertically.
- The optimum distance between seedlings is at least 80 cm.
- After planting, it is recommended to water the seedlings abundantly.
Watering and feeding juniper Virginia Blue Arrow
One of the important activities for the care of the Blue Arrow rock juniper is watering and feeding. Juniper shrubs should be watered, 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 periodically fed. The first top dressing should be applied to the soil directly during planting. It is then recommended to fertilize the plants no more than once a year. It is preferable to feed junipers in spring, in April-May, with special complex fertilizers for conifers.
Mulching and loosening
Blue Arroy does not need any specific care. Good crop growth will be ensured by standard gardening procedures. Juniper is quite responsive to shallow soil loosening. It is also necessary to mulch the trunk circle. This technique will reduce the evaporation of moisture from the soil, as well as prevent it from overheating. As mulch, you can use tree bark, needles, gravel, pebbles and other natural and inorganic materials.
Blue Arrow Juniper Cut
The Blue Arrow rocky juniper has a stable, conical crown shape, which does not need any special formation. Only in the spring, sanitary pruning is carried out, removing branches that have been broken off or frozen after wintering.
You can cut trees for decorative purposes, giving them an original sculptural shape. A haircut should be carried out 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 for preventive purposes to prevent the development of fungal diseases.
Shelter of the Blue Arrow rocky juniper for the winter
Mature trees are distinguished by good frost resistance, therefore they do not need special insulation and shelter for the winter. Only young trees should be sheltered, in the first time after planting.
Reproduction of Blue Arrow juniper
The juniper shrub is propagated by seeds and cuttings. The most effective way to propagate Blue Arrow juniper is by cuttings. Young shoots are used as cuttings, which are cut in the spring. Immediately after harvesting, they are planted in loose soil, preliminarily frequenting the cut site by an average of 3 cm. Spring planting allows young bushes to take root well and get stronger for winter.
Seeds for propagation are rarely used, since this process is very laborious and time-consuming. You will have to wait at least 5 years.
Pests and diseases of Blue Arrow juniper
The rocky variety Blue Arroy is resistant to most diseases, but infestations occasionally occur. The most common disease causing the greatest harm to trees is rust, a fungal infection. Signs of the disease are peculiar growths of bright orange color that appear on the branches of a tree. At the same time, Blue Arrow juniper dries up and loses its visual appeal.
Having found the first symptoms of the fungus, the affected shoots should be cut off as soon as possible and treated with "Phytocide". It is necessary to process infected plants until the signs of the disease disappear completely, with a frequency of 1 every 2 weeks.
A great threat to juniper is posed by such harmful insects as aphids and moths. To combat aphids use "Fitoferm". "Decis" effectively copes with moths. Spraying of bushes is carried out 1 time in 14 days.
Conclusion
Blue Arrow juniper is considered to be 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 takes the central place, becoming the most beautiful and expressive design element.
