Scaly juniper 'Blue Carpet' (Juniperus squamata)

Scaly juniper 'Blue Carpet' (Juniperus squamata Blue Carpet) – a cultivar of scaly juniper of the genus Juniperus in the family Cupressaceae. Obtained in 1972 in the Netherlands, at the nursery of Jac Schomaker in Boskoop, where in 1976 it received a gold medal for its high ornamental qualities. A shoot mutation «Meyeri» (obtained from witches' brooms on «Meyeri»). A shoot mutation «Meyeri» (obtained from witches' brooms on «Meyeri»). On the market since 1964.

It is a fast-growing coniferous shrub with a broad, flat, trailing and heavily branched hemispherical crown. Branches widely spreading, asymmetrical. Shoot tips pendulous. Needles like those of «Meyeri», stiff, hard, gray-blue, 6—9 mm long and 1.5—2 mm wide, tip sharp. At 10 years of age it reaches 30 cm in height and 1.2—1.5 m| in width. Mature plants reach 0.8 m in height and 4 m in diameter. Growth rate up to 15 cm per year.

Hardiness: 4-7 (-34°C)

Location: drought-tolerant, undemanding to soil and moisture, but prefers fresh clayey and loamy, calcareous and sandy soils. Resistant to urban conditions. Shade-tolerant.

Planting: recommended spacing between plants 0.5 or 1.2-2 m. Planting depth – 70 cm. Drainage if necessary: crushed brick or sand, layer 15-20 cm. Soil mix: topsoil, peat and sand in a ratio of 1:2:1. Transplants tolerate relocation poorly, even with a root ball.

Care: in spring, in April-May, apply nitroammofoska 30-40 g/m2. In a dry summer it is recommended to water the plant 2-3 times per season and carry out evening spraying once a week. Mulch with peat or sawdust in a layer of 5-8 cm.

Pruning: tolerates heavy pruning and clipping well, retains its shape for a long time.

Diseases: rust (Arcerid (50 g per 10 l of water) spray 4 times at 10-day intervals), shutte, Biatorrellal and Nectria canker, alternariosis

Pests: aphids (Fitoverm (2 g per 1 l of water) spray 2 times at 10-14 day intervals), leaf-mining moth (Decis (2.5 g per 10 l) spray 2 times at 10-14 day intervals), spider mite (Karate (50 g per 10 l)), scale insects (karbofos (70 g per 10 l of water)), galls, sawfly, shoot moth, pine looper.

Propagation: propagated by seed and by grafting. With spring sowing, seeds germinate after a year. Without treatment, 50% of cuttings root.

Uses: Suitable for cultivation in containers on roofs and streets. Used for stabilizing slopes and the banks of water bodies, as well as for plantings in alpine gardens and rock gardens. When planted in large groups it creates a smooth bluish carpet.