Meet, The Blue Arrow!

Back Yard

Juniper ‘Blue Arrow’ (Juniperus virginiana) 

After we removed our old Alberta spruce last December, we filled the space with potted plants and flowers for the summer. It looked cheerful enough through the warm months, but with the arrival of fall, we started thinking about something more permanent - something that would bring structure and color year-round.  Let's get into it!

First, a Reminder 

As much as we loved the ol' spruce, over the last couple years it was becoming clear that it was time for a change. 

It was obvious the ol' spruce was growing a bit too big for the space and was starting to encroach on the stoop, which really came to light last spring when we were re-doing the stoop floor. 

Taking the tree down was simplicity itself. I started out with my chainsaw on a stick, but quickly figured out that just using some loppers was the best option. 

Then, about 10 minutes with the reciprocating saw...and it was like there was never an Alberta spruce in the yard. It looks kinda empty! 

This Summer

We knew that little patch would sit quiet for a while - no sense in rushing it. We wanted to take our time, see what the space might be calling for - maybe a bush, maybe an ornamental tree, maybe something we hadn’t even thought of yet. The one thing we were sure of, though, was it had to be an evergreen. Something that’d stay green and steady when the rest of the yard went to sleep. So for now, we set out a few big planters, filled them with the usual odds and ends we grow elsewhere, just to keep the spot lively ‘til we figure what truly belongs there.

Which did end up rendering some very pretty flowers and a pretty vignette right next to the back stoop for the summer though.

Time Had Come 

Well, it's fall! So, this weekend, on a spur-of-the-moment trip to Hewitt’s, we stumbled upon the Juniper ‘Blue Arrow’.  Sounds like a cool superhero name doesn't it?  

Anyway, we hadn’t planned on actually buying anything, you know... just lookin' around, starting to get an idea of what's out there.  But the moment we saw the Blue Arrow's tall, narrow shape and silvery-blue foliage, we were intrigued.  We read the tag...

...and the gardener on duty enthusiastically told us all about it - how it thrives in full sun, stays narrow while reaching impressive heights, is drought-tolerant, and keeps that stunning blue color year-round.

Then came the kicker: the sticker price was $229, but the gardener pointed out a clearance deal, and we ended up paying just $60! In less than fifteen minutes, we wiggled it into the Forester and drove home with our new family member, feeling thrilled by the spontaneous find.

And just like that - we had a new member of the family in the yard, now it was time to dig in... literally and absolutely - pun intended!

Planting

Digging a thirty-inch-wide hole, about twenty inches deep, in our loamy soil for the Blue Arrow (I guess it has it's monicker!) feels like both a task and a small ceremony. The ground behind the stoop is stubborn, a slab of heavy clay that resists every thrust of the shovel. 

Each scoop brought up a dull thud, and the scent of raw earth.  The measurements matter more than they seem - thirty inches gives the young spruce room to spread its roots, while twenty inches deep ensures stability against wind and frost. 

As the soil loosened, small roots, pebbles, and worms appeared, quiet reminders of the life already hidden beneath the surface. It’s a slow rhythm, dig, lift, shake, and repeat, until the pit is broad and even around the edges. When the shovel finally stops, the hollow looks almost too big for the little Blue Arrow, but that’s how new beginnings should be - a bit of space to grow into

After a little finagling, the root ball settled neatly into its cradle, its silvery-blue needles catching a slant of afternoon light. Backfilling the soil we were a bit gentler, more deliberate, tucking the roots in like a blanket before watering. By the time the hole was filled, the juniper stands ready, small but sure, marking its place beside the back stoop - maybe a quiet promise that something enduring had just begun.

But Then...

Just as we were wrapping things up, it dawned on us - we might’ve run into a little issue with survivability. Because here comes Charlie, nose twitching and tail going a mile a minute, circling the Blue Arrow like he’s found something worth claiming. Took about two seconds to realize we’d better protect it before he got any ideas. So up went a small ring of chicken wire - nothing fancy, but it’ll keep him out long enough for the Blue Arrow to get settled. We’ll leave it there a year or two, just to be safe. Poor guy looked so let down, though, standing there with that sad little face like we’d just ruined his grand plans. He really does look disappointed, doesn’t he?

In Place!

Once planted, we stood back and admired how it immediately brought structure and elegance back to the space. Graceful, striking, and full of character, the ‘Blue Arrow’ is a perfect reminder that sometimes the best garden decisions happen in the spur of the moment... especially when there’s a great deal involved!

Hey,  thanks for stopping by - see ya' next time!