Hughes Creeping Juniper

Hughes is a low, mat-forming evergreen juniper with pale silvery-blue foliage and a spreading outline. Use it as a groundcover for sunny banks, rock edges, and broad plantings where its mature spread has room. ## Form and placement This cultivar forms a dense, carpet-like cover and retains blue-toned foliage through most of the year, with a purple tinge in winter. Its low profile works along walls, over rocks, and across slopes; allow room for a spread of roughly 5–6 feet. The [HortFlora cultivar record](https://hortflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/taxon/ad8ada8e-5340-11e7-b82b-005056b0018f) notes the selection’s pale blue foliage and mat-forming growth. ## Growing conditions Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. The [NVK Hughes plant listing](https://www.nvknurseries.com/plant/Juniperus-horizontalis-Hughes) gives a mature height of 30–50 cm, a spread of 150–175 cm, and USDA Zone 3; its size ranges support a low profile and a wider-than-tall footprint. Water regularly while establishing, then reduce irrigation as roots develop. Junipers tolerate dry conditions once established. ## Maintenance This is a low-maintenance groundcover. Remove dead or damaged branches as needed and avoid heavy pruning into old, leafless wood. Check coverage at the edges and trim back any growth that extends beyond the intended planting area.