Juniper Ground Cover Bed Ideas

Andorra Juniper

• Andorra juniper (Juniperus horizontalis Andorra) is an evergreen ground cover with a mature height of about 1 1/2 feet. The plant is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 6 to 8 and grows best in full sun. Andorra juniper has a fine texture and ascending branches. The foliage is light green in color and takes on a purple tinge during winter. Andorra juniper has a moderate-to-rapid growth habit and has a number of cultivars including Blue Horizon, Silver Sheen, Bar Harbor, Hill Reers and Douglasii.

Blue Rug Juniper

• Blue rug juniper (Juniperus horizontalis Blue Rug) is a low-growing ground cover with a creeping growth habit. The plant achieves a mature height of 4 to 6 inches and is hardy in zones 6 to 8. Blue rug juniper gets its name from its distinct silver-blue foliage. The plant has a slow-to-moderate growth habit and grows best in areas of sun. Fine-textured, dense-growing blue rug juniper is considered the lowest and slowest of all juniper varieties.

Japanese Juniper

• Japanese juniper (Juniperus procumbens) grows to a mature height of 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 feet and has a moderate growth rate. The plant is hardy in zones 6 to 8 and spreads on the ground with ascending branches. Japanese juniper is fine-textured and has blue-green foliage. Japanese juniper comes in a dwarf variety called Nana, which grows to a mature height of 1 1/2 feet. The plant grows best in areas of sun.

San Jose Juniper

• San Jose juniper (Juniperus chinensis San Jose) is a fine-textured ground cover that grows to a mature height of about 1 foot with a 6-foot spread. The plant has a moderate growth rate and is hardy in zones 6 to 8. San Jose juniper has an upward growing growth and sage green color. The plant grows best in areas of sun.