Juniperus scopulorum 'Wichita Blue'
Overview
Uses: Privacy screens, windbreaks, hedges, specimen plantings, foundation backdrops, formal landscapes, mixed conifer borders.
Benefits: Striking powder-blue foliage that holds its color year-round without winter bronzing, a dense pyramidal habit that provides excellent screening, and proven tolerance of drought, wind, and poor soils.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–7
Sun: Full Sun
Life Cycle: Coniferous Tree
Growth Habit: Columnar, Pyramidal — dense conical form with a defined central leader.
Mature Height: 10–15 ft.
Mature Width: 4–6 ft.
Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
Summary
If you want an evergreen that announces itself year-round on foliage color alone, 'Wichita Blue' delivers. Its powder-blue needles are among the most vivid in the juniper genus, and the color holds steady through winter without the bronzing that dulls many other conifers during the coldest months.
The form is a dense, well-defined pyramid — broader than the pencil-thin 'Sky Rocket' but still compact enough to work in most residential landscapes. Mature plants reach 10 to 15 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide, creating a substantial screen or backdrop without overwhelming the space. Branching is tight from top to bottom, making 'Wichita Blue' effective as a windbreak or privacy planting even without formal pruning.
Bred from Rocky Mountain Juniper stock, this cultivar carries deep tolerance for drought, alkaline soils, wind, and cold. It is deer resistant and unbothered by road salt. Birds nest in its dense branching, and the blue berry-like cones on female plants provide winter forage for wildlife. For gardeners in cold, dry, or wind-exposed sites, 'Wichita Blue' is one of the most reliable screening evergreens available.
Care
Wichita Blue Juniper Care
Full sun is essential — at least six hours of direct sunlight daily — for the densest form and most vivid blue foliage. In shade, branching becomes open and color dulls.
This juniper thrives in well-drained soil and is remarkably adaptable to sandy, rocky, or clay ground as long as water does not stand around the roots. It performs especially well in dry, alkaline soils. Chronically wet conditions are the primary cause of decline.
Water deeply and regularly during the first year to establish roots. Once established, 'Wichita Blue' is highly drought tolerant and typically needs supplemental irrigation only during prolonged dry periods. A spring application of slow release fertilizer supports healthy growth. Pruning is rarely needed — the naturally dense habit maintains its shape without shearing.
Size
What Size is the Wichita Blue Juniper for Sale Online?
Our Wichita Blue Juniper ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Wichita Blue Juniper Grow?
At maturity, 'Wichita Blue' reaches 10 to 15 feet tall with a spread of 4 to 6 feet, forming a dense pyramidal shape. Growth is steady at roughly 6 to 12 inches per year.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
This plant is commonly known as Wichita Blue Juniper or Wichita Blue Rocky Mountain Juniper. The species is also called Rocky Mountain Juniper and Colorado Red Cedar.
Is Wichita Blue Juniper native to North America?
'Wichita Blue' is a nativar selection of Juniperus scopulorum, a species native to western North America from British Columbia through the Rocky Mountains to the Great Plains. It was selected for its exceptionally vivid blue foliage and dense pyramidal form.
How does Wichita Blue compare to Sky Rocket Juniper?
Both are cultivars of Rocky Mountain Juniper, but they serve different roles. 'Sky Rocket' is extremely narrow (2 to 3 feet wide) and works as a vertical accent. 'Wichita Blue' is broader (4 to 6 feet wide) with a fuller pyramidal shape, making it better suited for screening and hedging. 'Wichita Blue' also has more intensely blue foliage. Browse both in our evergreen plants collection.
Is Wichita Blue Juniper deer resistant?
Yes. Junipers are generally avoided by deer and rabbits. 'Wichita Blue' performs well in landscapes with regular deer pressure. For more browse-resistant options, see our deer-resistant shrubs and evergreens collection.
