Bluebeard, Blue Mist, Blue Spirea, Blue Mist Spirea, Caryopteris incana, Caryopteris x clandonensis, Caryopteris divaricata
Prized for their long season of interest and easy care, Caryopteris (Bluebeard, Blue Mist, or Blue Spirea) are terrific deciduous shrubs with fragrant true blue flowers in late summer and fall.
Caryopteris, commonly known as Bluebeard or Blue Spirea, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae. Originally from East Asia, it is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub known for its beautiful and vibrant late summer to fall blooms.
Habit and Size: Growing habitually in a compact, mounded shape, Bluebeard typically reaches 2 to 4 feet (60-120 cm) in height and spread. This makes it an excellent choice for small gardens or borders.
Foliage: As valuable as the flowers, their dense foliage of aromatic leaves is also one of their great attributes, adding interest from when they appear in spring until frost. Usually soft green, the foliage of small, finely textured leaves can be quite colorful with gorgeous silvery blue-green, golden, chartreuse, or variegated leaves.
Flowers: Caryopteris is most recognized for its clusters of small, fragrant, tubular flowers ranging from deep blue to light blue or lavender. The blossoms are arranged around the stems, at every leaf section, like the tiers of a wedding cake. The blossoms are followed by seed heads that are ornamental in dried arrangements.
Blooming Season: The flowers appear on new growth from late summer to early fall, providing a pop of color when many other garden plants are past their peak.
Hardiness: Hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9, Caryopteris are soft-wooded shrubs or subshrubs that behave more like herbaceous perennials than like woody shrubs. In hardiness zones 5-6, their above-ground growth tends to die back. But their roots remain hardy.
Uses: Extremely versatile, Caryopteris are perfect for perennial borders, shrub borders, butterfly gardens, and low hedges. A superb addition to most sunny garden settings, Bluebeard can also fit in small spaces and containers. One of the best small shrubs for late color, it is worth repeating several times over in a border to give a strong fall effect.
Pollinators: Caryopteris is not only an ornamental wonder but also serves a practical role in attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, making it a fantastic addition to a pollinator garden.
Deer and Rabbit: Its aromatic foliage tends to deter deer and rabbits, an additional boon for many gardeners.
Drought Tolerance: Another feature of Caryopteris that makes it a great garden plant for summer heat is its drought tolerance. Once established, Caryopteris requires very little water to survive, thrive, and bloom.
Hardiness |
5 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Shrubs |
Genus | Caryopteris |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Late), Fall |
Height | 2' - 4' (60cm - 120cm) |
Spread | 2' - 4' (60cm - 120cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit, Drought |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
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Hardiness |
5 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Shrubs |
Genus | Caryopteris |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Late), Fall |
Height | 2' - 4' (60cm - 120cm) |
Spread | 2' - 4' (60cm - 120cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit, Drought |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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