Coniferous plants are able to clean the air from bacteria and pathogens due to the effects of essential oils. The juniper scaly "Blue Carpet" belongs to such plants. It looks great in parks, gardens and squares.
In this article, we present a description of the variety, and also talk about its cultivation.
Botanical description
Blue Carpet refers to a group of evergreen, flat growing shrubs. It was bred in 1972 by Dutch breeders from the "Meyeri" variety. The needle of the plant is needle-like, pointed, silver-blue, reaches a length of about 1 cm. The wide crown resembles a shapeless pillow, like in many creeping plants. Its diameter can be up to 2.5 m. The fruits of the shrub have a dark blue color with a white wax coating.
For the year juniper grows by 8-10 cm This variety of coniferous plants reaches a height of no more than 60 cm. His “character” is unpretentious and docile, therefore gardeners and landscape designers prefer the “Blue Carpet” variety to decorate parks and gardens. 
Did you know? Juniper exists more than 50 million years. As a medicinal plant of his steel first apply in ancient Egypt later - in Rome and ancient Greece.
Where better to plant juniper
Before you start planting a juniper "Blue Carpet", you must choose a suitable place for its growth in the open field and further care.
Lighting
Choose a better sunny spot for planting this shrub. In shading, it acquires fuzzy outlines, and also becomes loose and loses its appeal.
The soil
This variety grows well in any places, but the best option would be fertile enriched soil, where there is no stagnant water.
Landing rules
Before planting it is necessary to prepare a soil mixture of peat (2 parts), sod land (1 part) and sand (1 part). Depending on the size of the plants, the distance between them is from 0.5 to 2 m. The size of the planting pit should be 2-3 times larger than the earthen cluster of shrubs, and the depth - 60-70 cm. 
At the bottom lay out the drainage of broken brick and sand, the layer of which should be about 20 cm.
Important! Root neck when planting can not be buried.
After planting the shrub in the ground requires abundant watering for a week, until the plant is fully acclimatized.
Features care for the variety
Variety "Blue Carpet", like other types of juniper, requires some care.
Watering
In drought, it is necessary to water the shrub 1-2 times a week. Since juniper does not tolerate dry air, it is also regularly sprayed. Do this in the morning or after sunset to eliminate the appearance of burns on the plant.
Juniper has different characteristics and preferences depending on the variety - Blue Herrow, Andorra, Blue Star, Skyrocket, Stricte.
Fertilizer
In the spring, shrubs are fed with nitroammofosca or use of complex mineral fertilizers, and in the fall they are applied with potash-phosphorus.
Pruning
Juniper Blue Carpet need spring pruning in order to remove the wrong growing and dry branches.
Important! Juniper juice contains toxic substances that irritate the skin, so you must wear gloves during pruning.
Shelter for the winter?
In winter, shrub needles may be exposed to winds and frosts. This leads to its freezing and subsequently - to the acquisition of an ugly brown shade or even the death of the shrub. Therefore, closer to winter, it is recommended to protect low-growing plants with a special covering material. Juniper roots sprinkled with a layer of peat 10 cm thick.
Did you know? From the bark of juniper in ancient Russia did the dishes. Even on the hottest day, milk did not sour in such dishes.
Diseases and pests
The most common disease of this plant is rust. The solution of "Arceride" is able to stop it. Shrub need to spray 4 times at intervals of 10 days.
Dangerous pests include spider mites, scales, aphids, as well as the mining mole.
Aphids are afraid of the drug "Fitoverm" - it is necessary to spray the bush 2 times, observing the interval of 14 days. Against the mining moth, use "Decis" - also 2 times spraying is carried out with an interval of 2 weeks. To get rid of spider mites will help the drug "Karate", and from the shield - karbofos.
With good and proper care for the juniper "Blue Carpet" it will grow for a long time in your garden and delight you with its beauty.
