"Blue Star" Juniper?

When I recently purchased a bonsai at a pre-bonsai nursery,
I was told it was a "blue-star cypress"
but, I don't find much when I look up "blue star" cypress
does anyone know of a more specific or scientific name?
it's foliage seems to resemble that of a Japanese Cedar and looks, upon researching, like a "white" cypress, which is native to Florida which is where my cypress is from, but I'm not sure
I'll try and get a picture up
but, in my family that never seams to be easy
thanks,

Justin

Try Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star'. Also try Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Blue Moss', or Blue Moss cypress. Just guesses...

Does it look like this? Click Here

It usually goes by the name blue moss cypress. The botanical name is Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Boulevard.' For the anoraks, it is named after the Boulevard Nursery, where it originated.
Iris

no, it doesn't really look like that
I'm going to try to get a picture up in a couple days
I think if I got a picture up somebody could identify it
and I read -blue moss cypress- is native to Japan and my cypress was grown along 30 others in south Florida
and -Dave- it kinda make sense with the juniper -blue star-
but why would it be labeled cypress and not juniper?
like I said I'll try and get a picture up
thanks,

Justin

but why would it be labeled cypress and not juniper?
like I said I'll try and get a picture up

Pardon my cynicism here, but it is called a cypress because that's a fancier (AKA snobbier) name than juniper and horticulture is all about SALES. In the world of common plant names, there are no rules.

You have a juniper. (Just like the 'red cedar' is a juniper.)

Thanks, Jim
it's interesting when I first saw it at the nursery I thought Juniper
but, when the guy told me cypress I was kinda surprised
but, they're both Conifers
so I guess that makes sense
but, I don't think the guy was trying to get a sale off me by saying it was a cypress and not a juniper
I guess, because there both conifers that sometimes certain species resemble each other
such as how you a say a "red cedar" is a Juniper

Justin

sitarbonsai wrote:Thanks, Jim
it's interesting when I first saw it at the nursery I thought Juniper
but, when the guy told me cypress I was kinda surprised
but, they're both Conifers
so I guess that makes sense
but, I don't think the guy was trying to get a sale off me by saying it was a cypress and not a juniper
I guess, because there both conifers that sometimes certain species resemble each other
such as how you a say a "red cedar" is a Juniper

Justin

Junipers back bud on old wood cypresses don't

Try this:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Juniperus_squamata_Blue_Star_2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Juniperus_squamata_Blue_Star_2.jpg&usg=__g4sZf_EplaCY8Fif3MxQVeLVZ5g=&h=685&w=922&sz=186&hl=en&start=3&sig2=bPHIGko0f9_vnDLcmuzyQg&tbnid=hUX6u0oxEhMm3M:&tbnh=109&tbnw=147&prev=/images%3Fq%3DJuniperus%2Bsquamata%26hl%3Den%26rls%3DWZPA,WZPA:2006-10,WZPA:en&ei=zhdBS6-uM4zflAf80LCeBw

'Blue Star' juniper is a cultivar of Juniperus squamata. It is a recommended species for bonsai. The nursery worker may not have been trying to sell you anything. He probably doesn't know the difference between a cypress & a juniper.
Iris

And it wasn't him, anyway. It was the company that planted, grew, and potted the plant and put the label on it.

Rick Moquin wrote:

sitarbonsai wrote:Thanks, Jim
it's interesting when I first saw it at the nursery I thought Juniper
but, when the guy told me cypress I was kinda surprised
but, they're both Conifers
so I guess that makes sense
but, I don't think the guy was trying to get a sale off me by saying it was a cypress and not a juniper
I guess, because there both conifers that sometimes certain species resemble each other
such as how you a say a "red cedar" is a Juniper

Justin

Junipers back bud on old wood cypresses don't

thanks, can you explain in further detail?

and thanks -Iris- my foliage does resemble that

thanks, can you explain in further detail?

Can't be any simpler than that. Cypresses what you see is what you get, you can grow out but not in. On the other hand with Junipers you can force the tree to back bud on old wood (move foliage closer to the trunk).

Let's call it by its right name. How do you plan to style it?
I am not familiar with 'Blue Star' but I have experience with the popular 'Prostrata.' You need to pinch it frequently during the growing season. Keep it in full sun, although in Florida, a little shade probably won't hurt.
This may shock some purists, but if you live in the North and grow under lights, once it has a month or so dormancy, you can put J. squamata right under the lights for the rest of the winter (with adequate humidity).
Iris

Hey, thanks Rick and Iris
to be honest i actually did a pretty good pruning in winter which I know is wrong
but, the day I got it was like 75
and if you live in South Florida you know you don't really get much of the "seasons"
but, I guess it's more about time to recuperate before spring
But, I kinda am happy with my first styling
It kinda grows out of proportion
you really need to see to understand
But, once I get a pic up I hope to have your guys input and some advice!
thanks,

Justin

finally a picture of the tree:


I'm sure now it's Juniper squamata
but, feel free to give any advice concerning the tree!

thanks,

Justin

Can you get a close up of the foliage. Looks like a cryptomeria.