Rocky Mountain juniper

Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum 'Wichita Blue') prefers to be kept slightly dry, so watering should be done sparingly. During the spring and summer, the plant should be watered every 2 weeks. During this time it is important to check the dryness of the soil before each watering. If the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch, then it is time to give the plant some water. Aim to water the soil until it is lightly moist, but not overly soggy. When watering the plant, be sure to avoid getting water on the foliage. In the fall and winter, the need for watering should decrease significantly. During this time the plant should be watered no more than once a month. As with summer, check the dryness of the soil before watering. If it feels dry, give the plant a bit of water but avoid overwatering. By following these watering guidelines, your Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum 'Wichita Blue') should stay happy and healthy!

Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum 'Wichita Blue') thrive in full-sun areas and need at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. The best time to provide this sunlight is in the early morning, when the sun is at a lower angle and temperature levels are cooler. Direct sunlight should be avoided in the middle of the day when temperatures are higher as it can lead to sunburn.

Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum 'Wichita Blue') should be pruned in late winter or early spring, just before the new growth begins. Before pruning, inspect the shrub to determine if any dead, broken, or diseased branches need to be removed first. If any of these exist, prune them out before doing any aesthetic pruning. The goal of pruning is to remove old growth that is no longer producing new foliage, and to promote dense, healthy new growth. When pruning Rocky Mountain juniper, find branch junctions within the shrub and remove either the weakest branch or the longest 1. When removing a branch, make the cut just outside the branch collar. This will encourage healthy regrowth. Additionally, it is important to thin out the interior or center of the shrub. This can help reduce shading of the foliage and promote healthy, strong growth. It can also help the overall shape of the shrub. Generally, no more than 1-third of the shrub should be pruned in a single pruning session. Also, keep in mind that when pruning shrubs with colorful foliage such as the Rocky Mountain juniper, the oldest and innermost foliage is the most colorful. Pruning heavily can greatly reduce the winter presence of color.