Juniperus horizontalis 'Bar Harbor', is a creeping juniper that features blue-gray foliage in summer and then changes to purple in the winter. The Bar Harbor's chameleon-like leaves have long, sharp points that come in pairs or threes when juvenile, and then become more scale-like or flat when they are adult.
It grows in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Bar Harbor adapts to a wide range of soils, but prefers a dryish, sandy soil. It tolerates hot, relatively dry growing conditions, somewhat poor soils and many city air pollutants.
Bar Harbor is a very low growing, spreading groundcover juniper rarely getting more than 4-6 inches from the ground. Foliage color is bluish green, but turns a very distinct, pronounced, purplish color in winter or cold weather. Winter coloration is especially displayed in very windy locations. Bar Harbor Juniper has shown a very high tolerance for salt spray. Bar Harbor Juniper also makes a fine groundcover, with good solid coverage. Easy to grow, and quite hardy.
This low-maintenance, evergreen needs a regular water schedule to ensure the growth of a mature root system. After the mature root system is established, watering is needed occasionally, except during a drought, watering is needed regularly. Prune once or twice a year around the edges in order to keep the middle of the plant full.
This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments.
