Wichita Blue Juniper
Wichita Blue Juniper
Wichita Blue Juniper is a pyramidal upright evergreen with the brightest silver-blue color of any upright juniper — a stunning specimen for Eden Prairie, Plymouth, and Maple Grove front yards.
About Wichita Blue Juniper
| Botanical Name | Juniperus scopulorum 'Wichita Blue' |
| Mature Size | 10-15ft tall × 4-6ft 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 Wichita Blue 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.
Pyramidal upright juniper with brilliant silver-blue color
Most vivid blue color of any pyramidal juniper. That's why Wichita Blue 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 Wichita Blue 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 10-15ft tall × 4-6ft wide in mind — give Wichita Blue 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 Wichita Blue 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. Wichita Blue 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 Wichita Blue 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 Wichita Blue Juniper hardy in Minnesota?
Yes. Wichita Blue 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. Most vivid blue color of any pyramidal juniper.
How fast does Wichita Blue Juniper grow?
Moderate — 12-18 inches per year. Expect mature size (10-15ft tall × 4-6ft wide) within 5-8 years depending on site conditions and care.
Will deer eat Wichita Blue 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 Wichita Blue Juniper in part shade?
Full sun (6+ hrs).
What size gallon should I buy?
We typically offer Wichita Blue 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 Wichita Blue 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 Wichita Blue Juniper grown for our climate and delivered fresh from our Waconia, MN nursery.
How Many Wichita Blue Juniper Do I Need?
For a silver-blue privacy screen, space Wichita Blue 4–5 feet on center — at 4–6 feet of mature width the pyramids close into a solid wall:
| Screen Length | Plants Needed (4–5 ft spacing) |
|---|---|
| 10 feet | 2–3 plants |
| 20 feet | 4–5 plants |
| 30 feet | 6–7 plants |
| 40 feet | 8–10 plants |
As a specimen, give a single plant 6+ feet of clearance; a pair flanking a driveway or entry at matching distances is a classic formal move.
Wichita Blue Juniper Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Fresh silver-blue growth tips the pyramid in May, making the brightest blue of any upright juniper even brighter.
- Summer: The dense scale foliage holds vivid steel-blue color through heat and drought without supplemental water once established.
- Fall: Color stays icy blue as the landscape turns gold and red — the strongest contrast season — and the dense pyramid shelters overwintering birds.
- Winter: Brilliant silver-blue against snow, unfazed by -40°F, wind, or road salt — the boldest winter color in the yard.
At a Glance
✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Salt-Tolerant ✔ Drought-Tolerant ✔ Evergreen ✔ Four-Season Interest
Plant It With
- Blue Arrow Juniper — a pencil-thin blue column to repeat the color in tighter spots.
- Taylor Juniper — a taller, narrower green-blue spire for mixed-height juniper screens.
- Moonglow Juniper — a silvery sister selection; alternating the two adds subtle depth to a row.
- Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass — upright golden plumes that play beautifully against steel-blue foliage.
Is Wichita Blue Juniper Right for Your Yard?
Choose it if you have a hot, sunny, well-drained spot — boulevard edge, south-facing foundation, exposed corner — and want the most vivid blue upright evergreen that deer, drought, and road salt can't touch. It's not a fit for shade or poorly drained ground: junipers thin out without 6+ hours of sun, and wet feet invite root rot and tip blight.