Blue Arrow Juniper
Blue Arrow Juniper
Blue Arrow Juniper is one of the narrowest columnar evergreens available — only 2 feet wide at 15 feet tall — perfect for tight side yards and entrance accents in Edina, Hopkins, and St. Louis Park.
About Blue Arrow Juniper
| Botanical Name | Juniperus scopulorum 'Blue Arrow' |
| Mature Size | 12-15ft tall × 2ft wide |
| Bloom / Foliage | Evergreen blue juniper; no flowers |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun (6+ hrs). |
| Water Needs | Low. Highly drought-tolerant. |
| Soil | Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam, sandy soils. Excellent drainage required. |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a). Reliable to -40°F. |
| Deer Resistance | Rarely browsed — one of the most deer-resistant evergreens |
| Foliage | Evergreen — needle/scale foliage |
| Growth Rate | Moderate — 12-18 inches per year |
Why You'll Love Blue Arrow Juniper
Deer-resistant evergreen
Junipers handle the worst Minnesota conditions — sun, dry soils, deer, road salt.
Privacy + foundation
Upright forms for screens; spreading forms for foundations and slopes.
Winter interest
Year-round color and structure against snow.
Narrow columnar blue juniper for tight vertical accents
Narrowest columnar juniper — fits where Sky Rocket won't. That's why Blue Arrow Juniper has earned a spot in our Minnesota launch catalog — it's a juniper we're confident will thrive in your Twin Cities landscape.
Planting Blue Arrow Juniper in the Twin Cities
Best planting window: Spring (mid-April through early June) or early fall (late August through late September). Avoid planting during peak summer heat — Twin Cities heat waves can stress newly installed root balls.
Site selection: Full sun (6+ hrs). Choose a location with the mature size of 12-15ft tall × 2ft wide in mind — give Blue Arrow Juniper room to fill out without crowding fences, sidewalks, or neighboring plants.
Soil prep: Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam, sandy soils. Excellent drainage required. If your Twin Cities yard has heavy clay (common in Plymouth, Eden Prairie, and Wayzata), amend the planting hole with 25-30% compost to improve drainage. For sandy soils in parts of Anoka and Washington counties, mix in compost to improve water retention.
How to plant:
- Dig a hole 2× the width of the root ball and the same depth.
- Loosen the sides of the hole — slick clay walls block root expansion.
- Set Blue Arrow Juniper so the top of the root ball is 1-2" above grade.
- Backfill with native soil mixed 25% with compost. Tamp gently.
- Water deeply (5+ gallons) immediately after planting.
- Mulch 2-3" deep, keeping mulch 2" away from the stem.
Watering & Care
First year (establishment): Water deeply 1-2× per week from April through October. Blue Arrow Juniper needs consistent moisture to develop a strong root system for its first Minnesota winter. Check soil moisture 4-6" deep — water when the top 2-3" feels dry.
Established (year 2+): Low. Highly drought-tolerant. During typical Twin Cities summers, supplemental water during 2+ week dry spells is enough.
Winter prep: Water deeply in late October before ground freeze — this protects Blue Arrow Juniper through dry winter winds. Apply a fresh 2-3" layer of mulch in November to insulate the root zone through deep freezes.
Pruning: Prune lightly in late spring or early summer. Avoid cutting into bare wood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Arrow Juniper hardy in Minnesota?
Yes. Blue Arrow Juniper is rated for zones 3-9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — the Twin Cities metro is zone 4b–5a, well within its hardiness range. Narrowest columnar juniper — fits where Sky Rocket won't.
How fast does Blue Arrow Juniper grow?
Moderate — 12-18 inches per year. Expect mature size (12-15ft tall × 2ft wide) within 5-8 years depending on site conditions and care.
Will deer eat Blue Arrow Juniper?
Rarely browsed — one of the most deer-resistant evergreens. In high-deer-pressure suburbs (Wayzata, Stillwater, Hudson), supplemental fencing or repellents may help young plants establish.
Can I plant Blue Arrow Juniper in part shade?
Full sun (6+ hrs).
What size gallon should I buy?
We typically offer Blue Arrow Juniper in #2, #5, #10, and sometimes larger gallon sizes. Smaller sizes establish faster and cost less; larger sizes give instant impact. For most Twin Cities residential landscapes, #5 or #10 gallon is the sweet spot.
Where We Deliver
Three Timbers Minnesota delivers and installs Blue Arrow Juniper across the Twin Cities metro — Minneapolis, St. Paul, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Edina, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Wayzata, Bloomington, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Lakeville, Eagan, Roseville, Shoreview, Stillwater, Woodbury, Hudson, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Chanhassen, Excelsior, Victoria, Chaska, and surrounding communities. Live Blue Arrow Juniper grown for our climate and delivered fresh from our Waconia, MN nursery.
How Many Blue Arrow Juniper Do I Need?
| Screen length | Plants needed (3 ft spacing for a solid wall) |
|---|---|
| 10 feet | 3–4 plants |
| 20 feet | 6–7 plants |
| 30 feet | 10 plants |
At only ~2 feet wide, plant 3 feet on center for a seamless narrow privacy wall, or 4–5 feet apart for a rhythm of distinct blue columns. A matched pair flanking a front door or gate is the classic single-purchase use.
Blue Arrow Juniper Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Fresh silver-blue growth brightens the tight column as the new flush extends the spire upward.
- Summer: Crisp steel-blue foliage holds its color through heat and drought without flagging — zero-fuss vertical structure.
- Fall: The blue column stands out sharply against orange and gold fall foliage; small silvery berry-like cones may appear.
- Winter: Holds dense blue color all winter and shrugs off road salt — a slim exclamation point in the snow that never needs shearing.
At a Glance
✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Salt-Tolerant ✔ Drought-Tolerant ✔ Evergreen ✔ Four-Season Interest
Plant It With
- Sky Rocket Juniper — a slightly fuller blue column where you have a bit more width to spare.
- Blue Point Juniper — a broader teardrop juniper to anchor the corner of the same bed.
- Moffat Blue Juniper — a wider blue-green screen juniper to back a row of Blue Arrows.
- Techny Arborvitae — deep green contrast that makes the blue columns read even bluer.
Is Blue Arrow Juniper Right for Your Yard?
Choose Blue Arrow when you need height without width — a 2-foot-wide blue spire for side yards, driveway lines, and entries in full sun, untouched by deer, drought, or road salt. It's not a fit for shade or soggy ground: junipers demand 6+ hours of sun and sharp drainage, and wet clay will kill it faster than any winter.