What's eating my blue carpet juniper?

Blue Carpet Juniper's low, ground-hugging habit makes it particularly prone to spider mites in dry summers and to slugs and snails sheltering beneath its dense mat of blue foliage. Juniper scale also attacks stems. Deer and rabbits browse the accessible low growth. Monitor undersides of the mat and treat mites with horticultural oil.

Bronzing of silver-blue foliage, visible on inner and upper surfaces; webbing in dry periods Water regularly; apply horticultural oil or miticide; ensure good air movement under the canopy

White crusty scale deposits on stems; yellowing and twig dieback Apply horticultural oil in spring; remove heavily infested stems by pruning

Irregular grazing of soft new growth sheltered under the mat; slime trails visible Use iron phosphate slug pellets (wildlife-safe); reduce mulch and debris where slugs hide

Browsing of foliage and branch tips, particularly in winter Deer repellent spray; install fencing around the planting area