Search Plants
Try for Free
English
About
Care Guide
More Info
Pests & Diseases
More About How-Tos
Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'
Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star'
Also known as : Flaky juniper blue star 'Blue Star', Nepalese juniper 'Blue Star'
A cultivar of juniper, flaky juniper 'Blue Star' is a dwarf evergreen whose name derives from its needly, blue-silver foliage, which darkens to purple-blue in winter. It has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's prestigious Award of Garden Merit. Low-maintenance and drought-resistant, this cultivar is perfect for beginners so long as it receives full sun.
Planting Time
Fall
Care Guide for Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'
Feedback
Watering Care
Drought-tolerant. Allow the soil to dry completely between watering.
Know the light your plants really get.
Find the best spots for them to optimize their health, simply using your phone.
Scan QR code to download
Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'
Water
Every week
Sunlight
Full sun
Planting Time
Fall
Key Facts About Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'
Feedback
Attributes of Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Tree
Planting Time
Fall
Bloom Time
Late spring, Early summer
Plant Height
50 cm
Spread
1 m
Leaf Color
Blue
Green
Silver
Gray
Stem Color
Gray
Silver
Blue
Leaf type
Evergreen
Ideal Temperature
5 - 35 ℃
Growth Rate
Slow
Scientific Classification of Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'
Find your perfect green friends.
Plan your green oasis based on your criteria: plant type, pet safety, skill level, sites, and more.
Common Pests & Diseases About Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'
Feedback
Common issues for Flaky juniper 'Blue Star' based on 10 million real cases
Dieback
Dieback is a detrimental disease, causing severe damage to Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'. It leads to the decline and death of branches, turning them brown, disturbing the health, growth, and aesthetics of the plant. Early detection and efficient treatment strategies are crucial for managing the disease.
Dieback
There are several possible causes for dieback.
Solutions: There are a few things to try when dieback becomes apparent: Fertilize and water the plants - these two steps, along with judicious pruning, can help reduce the stress on the root system and encourage renewed vigor Have an arborist check to see if plant roots are girdling Test soil pH and adjust accordingly Remove and destroy infected twigs and branches
Branch blight
Branch blight can cause lignified branches to dry up entirely and die.
Solutions: Inspect trees frequently, and remove any infected branches as soon as possible. Branch blight cannot be cured, so the only treatment is to prune the tree and monitor it carefully for signs of the disease. All affected parts of the tree should be removed, since blight can survive over the winter inside the plant’s tissues. Blight can become systemic in the tree, in which case the entire plant should be removed so it does not remain a host for the pathogen and allow it to spread.
Aged yellow and dry
Natural aging can cause leaves to turn yellow and dry out.
Solutions: If the yellowing and drying of leaves and flowers is a natural progression due to age, nothing can be done to slow or stop the process. Once hormones within the plant begin the process of senescence, it’s irreversible.
Treat and prevent plant diseases.
AI-powered plant doctor helps you diagnose plant problems in seconds.
Dieback
Overview
Symptom
Causes
Treatment
Prevention
Active Period
What is Dieback Disease on Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'?
Dieback is a detrimental disease, causing severe damage to Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'. It leads to the decline and death of branches, turning them brown, disturbing the health, growth, and aesthetics of the plant. Early detection and efficient treatment strategies are crucial for managing the disease.
Symptom Analysis
In Flaky juniper 'Blue Star', dieback manifests as browning and dying back of branches starting from the tips. Leaves may exhibit discoloration, changing from their usual blue-green to a rusty brown, especially on the affected branches. Eventually, it leads to the decline and death of the plant, if left untreated.
What Causes Dieback Disease on Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'?
Pathogens
Dieback is majorly caused by a wide range of fungal pathogens, including Phytophthora, Verticillium, and Armillaria, that infect Flaky juniper 'Blue Star' and obstruct its nutrient uptake.
Environmental Stress
Unfavorable environmental conditions, such as drought stress, temperature extremes, or poor soil conditions, can weaken Flaky juniper 'Blue Star' and make it more susceptible to dieback.
How to Treat Dieback Disease on Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'?
Non pesticide
Pruning: Prune affected branches as soon as symptoms are noticed. Dispose of the cut branches properly to prevent the disease from spreading.
Proper Watering: Avoid waterlogging or over-irrigation, as it favors the proliferation of the fungal pathogens. Maintain appropriate watering conditions for Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'.
Pesticide
Fungicide Application: Use registered fungicides for controlling dieback. Follow label instructions for application rates and frequencies. Systemic fungicides, which are absorbed by the plant, provide effective control.
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants and unlimited guides at your fingertips...
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app
Dieback
There are several possible causes for dieback.
Overview
Dealing with dieback in plants can be tricky, in part because this is both the name of a disease itself and a common symptom of many other types of diseases. Dieback can be characterized by the progressive, gradual death of shoots, twigs, roots, and branches, generally starting first at the tips.
In many cases, dieback is caused by fungi or bacteria. These pathogens can produce cankers, wilts, stem or root rots, and even anthracnose, but the most common symptom, of course, is that various plant parts (or the entire plant) will begin to die back.
Symptom Analysis
The symptoms of dieback can be gradual or slightly more abrupt. Usually, however, they are slow in developing and tend to be uniform among the various parts of a plant.
Some plants may have more localized symptoms, with all twigs affected or all branches affected but not the rest of the plant. Some potential symptoms include:
- Dead or dying branches and twigs
- Dieback that starts in the top of a plant and progresses downward (though it can start lower, especially for conifers)
- A delayed flush of growth in the spring
- Leaf margins become scorched
- Pale green or yellow leaves
- Leaves that are small or otherwise distorted
- Early leaf drop
- Reduced growth of twigs and stems
- Thinning of crown foliage
- Production of suckers on trunk and branches
- Premature fall coloration (in tree species like birch, sweetgum, maple, oak, ash, etc)
The symptoms of dieback can occur within just one season or become worse each and every year.
Disease Cause
There are several types of dieback, each of which has a different cause with which it is associated.
"dieback" as a standalone issue, including the condition known as Staghead, is caused by fungal or bacterial infections. Staghead is a slow dieback that occurs on the upper branches of a tree, named as such because the dead limbs look much like the head of a stag.
Other causes of dieback symptoms include:
- Cankers or wilts
- Stem or root rots
- Nematodes
- Stem or root boring insects
- Pavement being placed over root systems
- Winter injury from cold
- Salt damage
- Lack of moisture (or excess of moisture)
- Lack of an essential nutrient or element
Trees and shrubs that are attacked by insects, exposed to extremely high or low temperatures, or experience severe and frequent fluctuations in soil moisture are the most likely to suffer from dieback. These stress factors alone or in combination with each other can reduce leaf and shoot growth, and progress into death of twigs and branches.
Although any of these issues can lead to dieback, the most serious consequences tend to occur when the roots of a plant are damaged. Similarly, trees and shrubs that are planted improperly or in unfavorable locations are more likely to develop this condition.
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants and unlimited guides at your fingertips...
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app
Branch blight
Branch blight can cause lignified branches to dry up entirely and die.
Overview
"Blight" is an umbrella term used to describe a category of tree diseases caused by fungus or bacteria. Branch blight occurs when fungus attacks the branches and twigs of a tree, resulting in branches slowly dying off.
Branch blight can affect most species of trees to some degree, and it may be called by different names including twig blight or stem blight. It is caused by a variety of fungi which attack branches first, especially immature growth.
Blight usually occurs in warm, humid conditions, so is most common in the spring and summer months. Because specific environmental conditions are required, the frequency of branch blight can vary from year to year. This makes the disease hard to control, as it can spread between trees and affect multiple plants in a short period of time.
In the worst-case scenario, trees can lose significant portions of their foliage and fail to produce fruit. Young or unhealthy trees could die off completely.
Symptom Analysis
The first symptoms of branch blight are that the emerging foliage turns brown or gray at the tips, especially on the smallest branches. Brown spots cover the entire surface of the leaves, eventually causing leaves and stems to shrivel and fall off. Over time, the dying tissue will spread toward the center of the plant. If left untreated, spores from the attacking fungus may appear on dying foliage within 3-4 weeks of the infection.
In some cases, lesions may form at the spot where the twig branches off from the healthy tissue. Branches may display girdling, which is a band of damaged tissue encircling the branch. An untreated tree will eventually lose all of its foliage and die.
Disease Cause
- Pathogens on young twigs and foliage cause disease
- Stressed and unhealthy trees are more susceptible - root injury due to physical or insect damage, infection, or aging can prevent adequate absorption of water and nutrients
- Extremely wet conditions including sprinkler watering can attract fungus
- Fungi can be transmitted between nearby trees
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants and unlimited guides at your fingertips...
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app
Aged yellow and dry
Natural aging can cause leaves to turn yellow and dry out.
Overview
Regardless of the type of plant or where it is grown, at some point, it will begin to aged yellow and dry. This is a natural, unavoidable process that happens when the plant has completed all of the steps in its life.
Annual plants go through this process at the end of a single growing season. Perennial plants live for multiple years, if not tens or hundreds of years, but will still ultimately exhibit these symptoms.
Symptom Analysis
When plants have progressed through their natural developmental stages and are nearing the end of their lifecycle, they begin showing signs of decline. Leaves will start to yellow and droop, and over time they turn papery brown and dry.
Once completely dry, the leaves begin to fall from the plant until the entire plant has dried out.
Disease Cause
At the end of its life, genetic coding within the plant increases the production of ethylene, a phytohormone that controls senescence or natural aging and death. Cell division stops, and the plant begins catabolizing resources to use in other parts of the plant.
As this happens, the tissues begin yellow and drying until the entire plant is desiccated and perishes.
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants and unlimited guides at your fingertips...
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app
More Info on Flaky Juniper 'blue Star' Growth and Care
Feedback
Common Pests & Diseases
Dieback
Dieback is a detrimental disease, causing severe damage to Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'. It leads to the decline and death of branches, turning them brown, disturbing the health, growth, and aesthetics of the plant. Early detection and efficient treatment strategies are crucial for managing the disease.
Read More
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants and unlimited guides at your fingertips...
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Botanist in your pocket
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app
About
Care Guide
More Info
Pests & Diseases
More About How-Tos
Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'
Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star'
Also known as: Flaky juniper blue star 'Blue Star', Nepalese juniper 'Blue Star'
A cultivar of juniper, flaky juniper 'Blue Star' is a dwarf evergreen whose name derives from its needly, blue-silver foliage, which darkens to purple-blue in winter. It has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's prestigious Award of Garden Merit. Low-maintenance and drought-resistant, this cultivar is perfect for beginners so long as it receives full sun.
Planting Time
Fall
Care Guide for Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'
Feedback
Watering Care
Drought-tolerant. Allow the soil to dry completely between watering.
Soil Care
Sand, Clay, Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Ideal Lighting
Full sun, Partial sun
Ideal Temperature
5 to 9
Planting Time
Fall
Know the light your plants really get.
Find the best spots for them to optimize their health, simply using your phone.
Download the App
Download
Key Facts About Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'
Feedback
Attributes of Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Tree
Planting Time
Fall
Bloom Time
Late spring, Early summer
Plant Height
50 cm
Spread
1 m
Leaf Color
Blue
Green
Silver
Gray
Stem Color
Gray
Silver
Blue
Leaf type
Evergreen
Ideal Temperature
5 - 35 ℃
Growth Rate
Slow
Gain more valuable plant knowledge
Explore a rich botanical encyclopedia for deeper insights
Download the App
Scientific Classification of Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'
Never miss a care task again!
Plant care made easier than ever with our tailor-made smart care reminder.
Download the App
Common Pests & Diseases About Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'
Feedback
Common issues for Flaky juniper 'Blue Star' based on 10 million real cases
Dieback
Dieback is a detrimental disease, causing severe damage to Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'. It leads to the decline and death of branches, turning them brown, disturbing the health, growth, and aesthetics of the plant. Early detection and efficient treatment strategies are crucial for managing the disease.
Learn More About the Dieback ![more]()
Dieback
There are several possible causes for dieback.
Solutions: There are a few things to try when dieback becomes apparent: Fertilize and water the plants - these two steps, along with judicious pruning, can help reduce the stress on the root system and encourage renewed vigor Have an arborist check to see if plant roots are girdling Test soil pH and adjust accordingly Remove and destroy infected twigs and branches
Learn More About the Dieback ![more]()
Branch blight
Branch blight can cause lignified branches to dry up entirely and die.
Solutions: Inspect trees frequently, and remove any infected branches as soon as possible. Branch blight cannot be cured, so the only treatment is to prune the tree and monitor it carefully for signs of the disease. All affected parts of the tree should be removed, since blight can survive over the winter inside the plant’s tissues. Blight can become systemic in the tree, in which case the entire plant should be removed so it does not remain a host for the pathogen and allow it to spread.
Learn More About the Branch blight ![more]()
Aged yellow and dry
Natural aging can cause leaves to turn yellow and dry out.
Solutions: If the yellowing and drying of leaves and flowers is a natural progression due to age, nothing can be done to slow or stop the process. Once hormones within the plant begin the process of senescence, it’s irreversible.
Learn More About the Aged yellow and dry ![more]()
Treat and prevent plant diseases.
AI-powered plant doctor helps you diagnose plant problems in seconds.
Download the App
Dieback
Overview
Symptom
Causes
Treatment
Prevention
Active Period
What is Dieback Disease on Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'?
Dieback is a detrimental disease, causing severe damage to Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'. It leads to the decline and death of branches, turning them brown, disturbing the health, growth, and aesthetics of the plant. Early detection and efficient treatment strategies are crucial for managing the disease.
Symptom Analysis
In Flaky juniper 'Blue Star', dieback manifests as browning and dying back of branches starting from the tips. Leaves may exhibit discoloration, changing from their usual blue-green to a rusty brown, especially on the affected branches. Eventually, it leads to the decline and death of the plant, if left untreated.
What Causes Dieback Disease on Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'?
Pathogens
Dieback is majorly caused by a wide range of fungal pathogens, including Phytophthora, Verticillium, and Armillaria, that infect Flaky juniper 'Blue Star' and obstruct its nutrient uptake.
Environmental Stress
Unfavorable environmental conditions, such as drought stress, temperature extremes, or poor soil conditions, can weaken Flaky juniper 'Blue Star' and make it more susceptible to dieback.
How to Treat Dieback Disease on Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'?
Non pesticide
Pruning: Prune affected branches as soon as symptoms are noticed. Dispose of the cut branches properly to prevent the disease from spreading.
Proper Watering: Avoid waterlogging or over-irrigation, as it favors the proliferation of the fungal pathogens. Maintain appropriate watering conditions for Flaky juniper 'Blue Star'.
Pesticide
Fungicide Application: Use registered fungicides for controlling dieback. Follow label instructions for application rates and frequencies. Systemic fungicides, which are absorbed by the plant, provide effective control.
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
Dieback
There are several possible causes for dieback.
Overview
Dealing with dieback in plants can be tricky, in part because this is both the name of a disease itself and a common symptom of many other types of diseases. Dieback can be characterized by the progressive, gradual death of shoots, twigs, roots, and branches, generally starting first at the tips.
In many cases, dieback is caused by fungi or bacteria. These pathogens can produce cankers, wilts, stem or root rots, and even anthracnose, but the most common symptom, of course, is that various plant parts (or the entire plant) will begin to die back.
Symptom Analysis
The symptoms of dieback can be gradual or slightly more abrupt. Usually, however, they are slow in developing and tend to be uniform among the various parts of a plant.
Some plants may have more localized symptoms, with all twigs affected or all branches affected but not the rest of the plant. Some potential symptoms include:
- Dead or dying branches and twigs
- Dieback that starts in the top of a plant and progresses downward (though it can start lower, especially for conifers)
- A delayed flush of growth in the spring
- Leaf margins become scorched
- Pale green or yellow leaves
- Leaves that are small or otherwise distorted
- Early leaf drop
- Reduced growth of twigs and stems
- Thinning of crown foliage
- Production of suckers on trunk and branches
- Premature fall coloration (in tree species like birch, sweetgum, maple, oak, ash, etc)
The symptoms of dieback can occur within just one season or become worse each and every year.
Disease Cause
There are several types of dieback, each of which has a different cause with which it is associated.
"dieback" as a standalone issue, including the condition known as Staghead, is caused by fungal or bacterial infections. Staghead is a slow dieback that occurs on the upper branches of a tree, named as such because the dead limbs look much like the head of a stag.
Other causes of dieback symptoms include:
- Cankers or wilts
- Stem or root rots
- Nematodes
- Stem or root boring insects
- Pavement being placed over root systems
- Winter injury from cold
- Salt damage
- Lack of moisture (or excess of moisture)
- Lack of an essential nutrient or element
Trees and shrubs that are attacked by insects, exposed to extremely high or low temperatures, or experience severe and frequent fluctuations in soil moisture are the most likely to suffer from dieback. These stress factors alone or in combination with each other can reduce leaf and shoot growth, and progress into death of twigs and branches.
Although any of these issues can lead to dieback, the most serious consequences tend to occur when the roots of a plant are damaged. Similarly, trees and shrubs that are planted improperly or in unfavorable locations are more likely to develop this condition.
Solutions
There are a few things to try when dieback becomes apparent:
- Fertilize and water the plants - these two steps, along with judicious pruning, can help reduce the stress on the root system and encourage renewed vigor
- Have an arborist check to see if plant roots are girdling
- Test soil pH and adjust accordingly
- Remove and destroy infected twigs and branches
Prevention
The best way to prevent dieback is to match the plant to the site. Make sure the conditions provided for a new planting match its needs.
- Plant properly in deep, fertile well-draining soil
- Make sure plant roots won’t be confined when the plant reaches its mature size
- Avoid changes to the growing site
- If soil compaction might be an issue, apply a few inches of wood chips and eliminate traffic over the root area
- Fertilize and water appropriately
It is also important to avoid potential infection with pathogens that can cause dieback:
- Avoid binding or wounding the roots and trunk whenever possible
- Avoid excessive pruning
- Disinfect all tools before working with plants to reduce the spread of disease
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
Branch blight
Branch blight can cause lignified branches to dry up entirely and die.
Overview
"Blight" is an umbrella term used to describe a category of tree diseases caused by fungus or bacteria. Branch blight occurs when fungus attacks the branches and twigs of a tree, resulting in branches slowly dying off.
Branch blight can affect most species of trees to some degree, and it may be called by different names including twig blight or stem blight. It is caused by a variety of fungi which attack branches first, especially immature growth.
Blight usually occurs in warm, humid conditions, so is most common in the spring and summer months. Because specific environmental conditions are required, the frequency of branch blight can vary from year to year. This makes the disease hard to control, as it can spread between trees and affect multiple plants in a short period of time.
In the worst-case scenario, trees can lose significant portions of their foliage and fail to produce fruit. Young or unhealthy trees could die off completely.
Symptom Analysis
The first symptoms of branch blight are that the emerging foliage turns brown or gray at the tips, especially on the smallest branches. Brown spots cover the entire surface of the leaves, eventually causing leaves and stems to shrivel and fall off. Over time, the dying tissue will spread toward the center of the plant. If left untreated, spores from the attacking fungus may appear on dying foliage within 3-4 weeks of the infection.
In some cases, lesions may form at the spot where the twig branches off from the healthy tissue. Branches may display girdling, which is a band of damaged tissue encircling the branch. An untreated tree will eventually lose all of its foliage and die.
Disease Cause
- Pathogens on young twigs and foliage cause disease
- Stressed and unhealthy trees are more susceptible - root injury due to physical or insect damage, infection, or aging can prevent adequate absorption of water and nutrients
- Extremely wet conditions including sprinkler watering can attract fungus
- Fungi can be transmitted between nearby trees
Solutions
- Inspect trees frequently, and remove any infected branches as soon as possible. Branch blight cannot be cured, so the only treatment is to prune the tree and monitor it carefully for signs of the disease.
- All affected parts of the tree should be removed, since blight can survive over the winter inside the plant’s tissues.
- Blight can become systemic in the tree, in which case the entire plant should be removed so it does not remain a host for the pathogen and allow it to spread.
Prevention
- Avoid purchasing trees with dead or dying growth.
- Sterilize cutting tools frequently when pruning to avoid spreading fungus between plants.
- Keep trees mulched and watered, especially during dry periods, to prevent stress.
- Avoid splashing water on the leaves when watering, as wet foliage is attractive to fungi and bacteria.
- When planting, allow enough room between trees that there will be sufficient air circulation for them to dry out. Crowding trees too close together can increase humidity and allow the fungi to transfer.
- When conditions are wet and humid, a fungicide can be used on new growth.
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
Aged yellow and dry
Natural aging can cause leaves to turn yellow and dry out.
Overview
Regardless of the type of plant or where it is grown, at some point, it will begin to aged yellow and dry. This is a natural, unavoidable process that happens when the plant has completed all of the steps in its life.
Annual plants go through this process at the end of a single growing season. Perennial plants live for multiple years, if not tens or hundreds of years, but will still ultimately exhibit these symptoms.
Symptom Analysis
When plants have progressed through their natural developmental stages and are nearing the end of their lifecycle, they begin showing signs of decline. Leaves will start to yellow and droop, and over time they turn papery brown and dry.
Once completely dry, the leaves begin to fall from the plant until the entire plant has dried out.
Disease Cause
At the end of its life, genetic coding within the plant increases the production of ethylene, a phytohormone that controls senescence or natural aging and death. Cell division stops, and the plant begins catabolizing resources to use in other parts of the plant.
As this happens, the tissues begin yellow and drying until the entire plant is desiccated and perishes.
Solutions
If the yellowing and drying of leaves and flowers is a natural progression due to age, nothing can be done to slow or stop the process. Once hormones within the plant begin the process of senescence, it’s irreversible.
Prevention
Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent plants from dying of “old age.” To help prolong their life, and put off symptoms of aged yellow and dry for as long as possible, take care of them by giving them enough water, fertilizing them appropriately, and making sure they get enough sunlight.
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
More Info on Flaky Juniper 'blue Star' Growth and Care
Common Pests & Diseases
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
