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Juniperus horizontalis 'Hughes', commonly known as Hughes Juniper, is a low-growing, spreading evergreen ground cover with striking silver-blue foliage. Its dense, trailing habit makes it an excellent choice for erosion control, rock gardens, or as a cascading accent over walls. This hardy, low-maintenance juniper thrives in a wide range of soil conditions and offers year-round color, with its foliage turning a slight purplish hue in winter.
| Growing Zone |
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| Pet friendly |
Yes |
| Mature height |
1-2 ft. |
| Sunlight |
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| Type of Soil |
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| Maintenance level |
Low maintenance |
| Water Requirement |
Low watering (once every 2 weeks) |
| Growth Rate | This juniper has a moderate growth rate, typically spreading 6–10 feet wide while remaining only 1–2 feet tall, forming a dense, trailing ground cover. |
| Colorful leaves |
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| Flowering | No |
| Disease resistant | Yes |
| Cold Tolerant | Yes |
| Heat Tolerant | Yes |
| Drought Tolerant | Yes |
| Deer Resistant | Yes |
| Edible | No |
| Wildlife Attraction | Hughes Juniper provides shelter for birds and small wildlife. The blue berry-like cones serve as a food source for various bird species, making it a great addition to wildlife-friendly gardens. |
| Self-pollinating |
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| Seasonality | This juniper does not produce showy flowers but may develop small, inconspicuous berry-like cones that provide seasonal interest and attract birds. It remains evergreen throughout the year, adding texture and color to landscapes even in winter. |
| Ideal For | Ground cover, erosion control, rock gardens, cascading over walls, wildlife gardens. |
| Leaf Description | The foliage of Hughes Juniper consists of soft, scale-like leaves that form dense, overlapping sprays. The leaves exhibit a beautiful silvery-blue hue in spring and summer, transitioning to a purplish tint in colder months, adding seasonal interest to the landscape. |
| Flower Description | Juniperus horizontalis 'Hughes' is a non-flowering plant, primarily valued for its foliage rather than blooms. |
| Planting Instructions | Plant in early spring or fall for best results. Choose a location with well-drained soil and full sun exposure. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball, place the plant, and backfill with soil. Water thoroughly after planting and apply mulch to retain moisture. |
| Pruning & Maintenance | Minimal pruning is required. Trim lightly in early spring to shape or control spread, if necessary. Avoid heavy pruning, as junipers do not regenerate well from old wood. |
| Water Needs | Water regularly during the first growing season to establish strong roots. Once established, Hughes Juniper is highly drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering, except in extreme dry spells. |
| Light Needs | Thrives in full sun and requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and foliage density. |
| Harvesting | Not commonly harvested, but branches may be used in decorative arrangements. |
| Fertilizing | Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to support healthy growth. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can lead to weak, leggy growth. |
| Additional Care Tips |
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| Pollination | Juniperus horizontalis 'Hughes' is a non-flowering plant that does not require pollination. It produces small cones that naturally disperse seeds but does not need pollinators for reproduction. |
| Companion Plants | Hughes Juniper pairs well with:
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This juniper does not produce showy flowers but may develop small, inconspicuous berry-like cones that provide seasonal interest and attract birds. It remains evergreen throughout the year, adding texture and color to landscapes even in winter.
Juniperus horizontalis 'Hughes' is a non-flowering plant, primarily valued for its foliage rather than blooms.
Plant in early spring or fall for best results. Choose a location with well-drained soil and full sun exposure. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball, place the plant, and backfill with soil. Water thoroughly after planting and apply mulch to retain moisture.
