Hi there, I am in Zone 3 and I have heard witchita blue junipers are hardy here. Some of the other upright junipers are not. My question is, depending on the website I look at, some say that their spread is 4-6 feet, and some say 6-12 feet. Why is there so much conflicting information on the size of some of these upright evergreens? I only have a certain amount of space. 6 feet is ok, 12 feet will not work. Can you please shed some light on this?
Hi there
The Wichita Blue Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum ‘Wichita Blue’) is an incredibly lovely small tree. It may be hardy in your Zone 3 garden if it is protected from North winds. One the large Toronto area nursery websites says it is hardy from 4-9, but another grower says 3-7. Please confirm with your local reputable nursery. A guarantee is only good if all instructions are followed.
Tree sizes are rough guides. The ultimate width of the tree depends on the soil and the location, but it also depends on your care. It requires regular pruning or shearing to stay shapely. You can search for how-to videos on this subject once you notice it getting a bit lopsided or shaggy.
Our website has a great deal of information on Juniper care. Just go to our homepage and scroll down to our Find It Here search box.
Best of luck in the garden.