Question
I planning to cover a hillside. Can you tell me the life expectancy of blue rug juniper?
Thanks

Answer
Hello, Donald -

Junipers are a symbol of longevity, strength, athleticism, and fertility in some Asian cultures. As to specific age of  Blue Rug / J. h. 'Wiltonii', I cannot tell you.  I have seen Juniper upwards of 75+ years, but it depends on how well you tend it, the environmental conditions, or if local animals find it "tasty" or not...some of its cousins are the longest living plants on the plant, given the right conditions (1,500+ years).  

blue rug specific discussion -
http://www.paghat.com/bluerug.html

I've read that the Blue Rug gets a bit "leggy" with age, but that could just be where it is planted & how it was pruned over the years.  My guess for you (assuming "average" planting & care), I would bet on more than 25+ years...

There are well over 100 different Juniper cultivars have been selected and given unique names because of decorative or useful characteristics; Here are just a few selected for prostrate growth habits -- None that I know of were slected for longevity, however!:

Juniperus conferta -- 'Shore juniper' -- 12 to 18 inches high and 6 to 8 foot spread; salt tolerant

Juniperus conferta 態lue Pacific?-- 12 to 18 inches high and 6 to 8 foot spread; salt tolerant; heat tolerant; blue-green foliage

Juniperus conferta 慐merald Sea?-- 12 to 18 inches high and 6 to 8 foot spread; salt tolerant; bright green foliage

Juniperus horizontalis -- Creeping juniper -- to 2 feet high and 8 foot spread

Juniperus horizontalis 態ar Harbor?-- 8 foot spread; feathery, blue-gray foliage turns plum color in winter; fast growing; tolerates salt spray

Juniperus horizontalis 'Pancake' -- to 2 inches high and 2 foot spread

Juniperus horizontalis 慞lumosa?-- Andorra creeping juniper -- 2 feet high and 10 foot spread; grey-green foliage turning plum in winter

Juniperus horizontalis 慦iltonii?-- Blue Rug juniper -- 4 inches high and 8 to 10 foot spread; silver-blue foliage

(Thanks for your patience - I had a bit of an emergency over the weekend, and didn't get to my e-mail)

All the best ~Marc