What is Juniper ‘Wichita Blue’ Tree
Thick and full, the moderately-sized, upright-growing Wichita Blue Juniper creates an impenetrable screen or windbreak but is short enough to not interfere with power lines. A row of these Junipers will add vertical interest along fences, streets and beyond, performing as screens or windbreaks.
And it’s not limited to your outdoor landscape: you can snip a few branches for Christmas greenery to add beautiful blue-green color and fresh Juniper scent to your decorations.
Evergreen, long-lived and deer resistant, the Juniper stands out year-round. Silvery blue foliage shines, with none of the common winter bronzing. Plus, because the Wichita Blue typically lives 70 years or more, it’s a lifetime landscape staple.
We’ve planted, grown and shipped our Wichita Blue with an intact root system for maximum health. By the time it arrives to your door, it’s already ready to grow. And our Juniper Trees are perfect without pruning but is customizable to your desired look.
So, you’ll receive a healthy shrub with a well-developed root system, ready to plant and grow vigorously for you.
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How to Grow and Care for Juniper ‘Wichita Blue’ Tree
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Planting
The Wichita Blue should be planted in a sunny spot. Full sun is preferred and moist or well-drained soil. If planting a hedge, mark out a visual guide by placing stakes 5 to 6 feet apart and looping string around them. Plant the trees where the stakes are and they’ll grow together to make a dense privacy screen.
Dig each hole so that it is just shallower than the root ball and at least three times the width. Organic mulches, such as wood chips or pine needles, also help to better soil structure as they decompose. Position the tree into the hole and hold it straight. Begin back filling the hole, tamping down the soil as you fill to prevent any air pockets from forming.
Finally, water the planting site to completely settle the soil and then mulch around the base. Mulching helps retain your soil’s moisture and assists with keeping competitive growth away such as weeds and grasses.
Watering
The Juniper Wichita Blue is suited to most soil conditions and will happily live anywhere that is not too wet. This shrub is drought tolerant once established and should be monitored for signs of additional watering if necessary. Simply follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system – generally, watering once weekly will suffice.
Fertilizing
Wichita Blues need to be fertilized every few years. It’s best to fertilize early in the growing season with a well-balanced fertilizer.
Pruning
Pruning is only necessary to preserve a trim pyramidal shape, removing a dead branch, or if you want a more formal hedge. Height may also be managed through judicious pruning.