bluebeard
Caryopteris clandonensis 'Blue Mist'
Overview
Bluebeard (Caryopteris clandonensis 'Blue Mist') is a hardy shrub that can withstand any garden environment with its ability to tolerate hot, dry summers and cold winters. It produces delightful, fragrant clusters of flowers, ranging from blue to white. The foliage of bluebeard is an attractive deep green throughout the summer months, turning to a yellow-bronze during the colder months of autumn. In addition to their stunning color, the bluebeard blooms attract a variety of pollinators and beneficial insects. With minimal care and maintenance, these low-maintenance shrubs provide an amazing burst of color and texture in the garden. Plus, with its resiliency and vigor, you can create a stunning garden oasis with bluebeard.
Care Guide
Watering
Bluebeard requires regular watering during the growing season. Water your bluebeard plants 1-2 times a week depending on the weather conditions. Monitor the soil moisture when deciding how often to water and avoid letting the soil dry out or become waterlogged. Water the plant deeply each time to ensure the water reaches the root zone. In cooler months, reduce watering to 1 time per week or as necessary. As summer temperatures increase, increase watering to every other day or once every three days. Do not water the plant if it has just rained or if the soil remains wet from recent rains.
Light
Bluebeards enjoy full sun for the best growth and flowering. When growing in warmer climates, they should receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. When grown in cooler areas, they may need more hours of sunlight, up to 10 hours per day. In cooler climates, avoid planting in a location that receives less than 4 hours of direct sunlight per day. During the summer, it's best to plant bluebeards after other plants so they receive adequate light while not blocking shade-loving plants.
Temperature
Hardiness zone 5–8.
Pruning
Pruning Bluebeard bushes should be done in late spring or early summer. Pruning should be limited to only shaping or removing dead wood and should not be over-pruned. Bluebeard bushes can tolerate a light pruning, but excessive pruning may result in poor flowering and leggy growth. Prune Bluebeard shrubs down to about a third of their original size no later than late spring or early summer.
Propagation
Cutting, Layering Propagation, Division, Seed Propagation
Uses & Symbolism
Attracts: Butterflies.
Related plants
Other plants you might like if you grow bluebeard.
