Different Ways to Trim a Blue Star Juniper

About Juniperus

• Plants in the Juniperus group come in a variety of sizes, ranging from trees that reach 50 feet to ground covers that peak at 4 inches tall. Some species prefer moist soil while others thrive in dry conditions. Light requirements vary as well. In general, junipers tolerate difficult urban sites with poor soil, limited water and bright sun. Clemson Cooperative Extension lists the Pfitzer juniper (Juniperus chinensis) as the most common juniper in landscapes.

Blue Star Juniper

• The blue star juniper (Juniperus squamata “Blue Star”) is one of the smaller types of junipers and best used as a ground cover. The plant forms a mound about 4 feet wide and three feet high. Its silver-blue needles lighten the landscape and contrast with green foliage. It withstands winter temperatures of minus 20 to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

Maintenance Pruning

• Blue star juniper may require pruning to keep the plant at its desired size. Plan to do maintenance pruning in early spring when the plant is still dormant or during the growing season. Virginia Cooperative Extension advises not to trim evergreens in late summer or early fall; pruning at this time encourages new growth very close to winter, making the plant vulnerable to cold damage. When trimming, make sure some foliage remains on the branch. A characteristic of junipers is that new growth will not develop from bare branches.

Prune Dieback

• Another way to trim blue star juniper is through corrective pruning. Consider trimming branches that show symptoms of disease or environmental stress, such as yellowing foliage and tip dieback. Remove all of the damaged parts of the branch and cut back to healthy wood. Tip dieback on junipers is different from the dead branches typically located in the middle of the plant, which Missouri Extension calls a “dead zone.” Dead branches in the middle of the plant are characteristic of junipers and arborvitae.