Blue Pacific Shore Juniper Juniperus rigida subsp. conferta 'Blue Pacific'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Not blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The 'Blue Pacific' is a variety of juniper characterized by its dense, low-growing spread that forms a mat-like ground cover. Its foliage is a striking blue-green color that persists throughout the year, providing a splash of color even in winter. The leaves are needle-like and give off a pleasant aroma when crushed. Its overall habit is compact and spreading, making it a great choice for adding texture to the landscape. The leaves may sometimes show a slightly silver hue, accentuating the blue tones and creating a serene visual effect. Small, fleshy cones resembling berries appear on the plant, but they are often inconspicuous against the dense foliage. This plant is appreciated for its hardiness and its ability to provide year-round interest without significant vertical growth.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Cupressaceae
- Synonyms
  Shore Juniper, Blue Pacific Juniper
- Common names
  Juniperus conferta 'Blue Pacific', Juniperus rigida var. conferta 'Blue Pacific'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Shore Juniper, the common name for Juniperus rigida subsp. conferta 'Blue Pacific', is not highly toxic to humans. However, like many species in the Juniperus genus, consuming parts of the plant, particularly the berries, may cause mild gastrointestinal upset or irritation. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea if ingested in large enough quantities. It's always advisable to avoid eating ornamental plants due to the potential risks and uncertain edible nature.
- To pets
  Shore Juniper is generally considered to have low toxicity for pets. Though it is not commonly known to be a severe toxin, ingestion of significant amounts of the plant can lead to mild to moderate gastrointestinal upset in pets such as dogs and cats. Symptoms might include vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal discomfort. It is always best to keep an eye on your pets and prevent them from chewing on or ingesting ornamental plants like the Shore Juniper.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Blue-green
- Height
  1 foot (0.3 meters)
- Spread
  6 feet (1.8 meters)
- Plant type
  Shrub
- Hardiness zones
  6
- Native area
  Japan

Benefits

General Benefits
- Landscape Aesthetics: 'Blue Pacific' juniper offers a unique silvery-blue foliage that provides visual interest and color contrast in landscape designs.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it is highly drought-tolerant, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Erosion Control: The dense mat-forming habit of this plant makes it effective at preventing soil erosion on slopes and banks.
- Low Maintenance: This juniper variety requires minimal care, making it a convenient choice for gardeners of all levels.
- Ground Cover: It can spread widely, providing an excellent ground cover that suppresses weeds and covers large areas effectively.
- Wildlife Habitat: Provides shelter and nesting sites for birds and other wildlife within the garden or landscape.
- Soil Improvement: Its root system can help improve soil structure over time, enhancing soil health and stability.
- Winter Interest: The evergreen foliage of 'Blue Pacific' juniper maintains its color throughout the winter, brightening up otherwise dull landscapes.
Medical Properties
- Antimicrobial: Compounds extracted from the Juniper plant may display antimicrobial activity against various pathogens.
- Anti-inflammatory: Juniper components might have anti-inflammatory properties, reducing inflammation in some conditions.
- Diuretic: Traditionally, Juniper has been used to promote urine production and relieve water retention.
- Antispasmodic: The plant may offer relief from muscle spasms.
- Antioxidant: Juniper may contain antioxidants, which help in protecting the body from oxidative stress.
- Gastrointestinal aid: Some cultures have used Juniper to aid in digestion and soothe stomach issues.
Please note, however, that the medical applications for Juniperus rigida subsp. conferta 'Blue Pacific' specifically are not well-documented in mainstream scientific literature, and therefore, any medical uses listed above are based on general knowledge of the Juniper genus rather than specific research into this subspecies. Always consult with a healthcare provider before using any plant for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Soil Erosion Control: The 'Blue Pacific' juniper’s dense growth habit makes it excellent for stabilizing slopes and preventing soil erosion.
- Wildlife Shelter: The thick foliage provides cover and protection for small wildlife, creating a microhabitat within gardens and landscapes.
- Windbreaks: This juniper variety can be planted in rows to act as windbreaks, protecting more sensitive plants and reducing wind speed in gardens.
- Privacy Screens: 'Blue Pacific' juniper can be used as a living screen to increase privacy in outdoor living areas or between neighboring properties.
- Coastal Landscaping: Due to its salt spray tolerance, this plant is ideal for coastal landscaping where other plants might struggle to survive.
- Garden Sculpting: Gardeners can prune 'Blue Pacific' into various shapes for topiary art, giving a formal look to a garden or landscape design.
- Xeriscaping: It's well-suited for dry gardens where water conservation is essential, as it requires minimal irrigation once established.
- Bonsai: The juniper's interesting texture and ability to tolerate pruning make it a candidate for creating bonsai trees.
- Theme Gardens: It's often used in Japanese gardens for its aesthetic form and needle-like foliage that contribute to a sense of Zen.
- Culinary Smoking: Wood chips from the 'Blue Pacific' juniper can be used for smoking meats, imparting a unique flavor, though they should be used cautiously due to potential toxicity.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Shore Juniper is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Shore Juniper is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Protection: Juniper plants are often associated with protection due to their evergreen nature and the ancient belief that they could ward off evil spirits.
- Purity: The clean, crisp scent of the juniper is thought to purify and cleanse the air, symbolic of purity and renewal.
- Healing: Historically, juniper has been used for medicinal purposes, representing healing and the relief of ailments.
- Sanctuary: With its hardy and resilient growth, juniper can symbolize a safe haven or sanctuary, offering refuge and comfort.

💧

Every 2-3 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 3-4 years

Repotting

🌱️

Early Spring

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Shore Juniper, also known as 'Blue Pacific', prefers even moisture but is also quite drought-tolerant once established. It is important to water this plant deeply when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. Typically, providing about 1-2 gallons of water every week during the growing season, and reducing the frequency in the fall and winter will be sufficient. Over-watering can lead to root rot, so ensuring proper drainage is essential. Let the soil dry somewhat between watering intervals.
Light
Shore Juniper thrives in full sun to partial shade. The ideal spot for this plant would be an area that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. However, it is versatile and can tolerate some light shade, but the best foliage density and color are achieved in full sun conditions.
Temperature
Shore Juniper is hardy and adapts to a range of temperatures but performs best when the temperature is between 40 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive minimum winter temperatures down to -10 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for many temperate regions. Extreme heat above 90 degrees Fahrenheit may stress the plant, especially if coupled with humidity.
Pruning
Pruning Shore Juniper is often done to maintain its shape and encourage dense growth. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Pruning can be done annually or as needed, when the plant appears overgrown or to remove any damaged or dead branches.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
'Blue Pacific' juniper thrives in well-drained sandy or loamy soils with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5. A good soil mix for this plant includes two parts coarse sand or gravel, one part garden soil, and one part peat or compost to help retain some moisture while ensuring proper drainage.
Repotting
'Blue Pacific' juniper typically doesn't require frequent repotting and can often remain in the same pot for several years. It's best to repot these conifers every 3 to 5 years or when you observe that roots have completely filled the pot or started to grow through the drainage holes.
Humidity & Misting
The 'Blue Pacific' juniper prefers low to moderate humidity levels that are typical of outdoor environments. They are quite tolerant of dry conditions and do not require special humidity considerations when planted in the landscape.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright light, cool temperatures, and good air circulation.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, well-draining soil; water regularly.
- Hardiness zone
  6-9 USDA
Life cycle
'Blue Pacific' Juniper, a cultivar of Juniperus rigida subsp. conferta, begins its life cycle with seed germination, which is usually in spring when soil temperatures warm sufficiently. The germinated seedlings initially establish a root system before developing into juvenile plants with needle-like foliage. As they mature, 'Blue Pacific' Junipers grow into sprawling, ground-covering shrubs with dense, bluish-green foliage. They reach reproductive maturity within several years, producing small, inconspicuous flowers that are typically dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are on separate plants. After pollination, female plants develop berry-like cones called juniper berries, which mature and release seeds to start a new cycle. The shrub continues to grow and can live for many years, spreading horizontally and getting thicker with woody growth while providing year-round landscape interest.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Early Spring
- Propogation: The most popular method of propagation for the Shore Juniper or 'Blue Pacific' is through semi-hardwood cuttings. This process typically takes place in late summer when the current year's growth has begun to mature and harden slightly. To propagate, cuttings should be taken from the semi-hardwood section, approximately 4 to 6 inches long. It is important to remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone to encourage root development. The prepared cuttings can then be planted in a well-draining soil mixture and covered with a plastic bag to maintain high humidity. These cuttings usually root in about 4 to 8 weeks when kept in warm conditions around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 24 degrees Celsius).