Fragrant leaves, a rounded outline and a haze of colour that arrives in late summer and autumn, when most shrubs have finished: caryopteris (Caryopteris x clandonensis), or bluebeard, is visited again and again by butterflies and bees. Give it sun, shelter and light, well-drained soil, and it flowers freely.
| Name | Caryopteris x clandonensis |
|---|---|
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Type | shrub |
| Height | 5 feet (1.5 meters) |
| Exposure | full sun |
| Soil | rather rich |
| Foliage | deciduous |
| Flowering | Summer/Autumn |
Caryopteris is a flower shrub that is preferably planted in fall or spring, and even in summer if purchased in a container.
Its resistance to the cold and to freezing is low, since it suffers when the temperature drops below 23°F (-5°C).
You can plant caryopteris in fall, provided that winter isn’t too cold in your area, especially for those varieties that tend to be sensitive to the cold.
Caryopteris isn’t too demanding as regards the quality of the soil, but proper planting will ensure good settling in, better development and abundant blooming.
Making cuttings in summer is the easiest and fastest method to propagate caryopteris.
Caryopteris is a plant that requires little care, even if some practices when seen through will extend the blooming and protect it in winter.
Very resilient in the face of drought, cold and most diseases, caryopteris is a hardy ornamental plant.
It also fares well when grown in pots, especially if it freezes strongly in your area and you can bring it in for shelter in winter.
When in pots, you’ll also have to remember to water when the surface of the soil is dry.
As mentioned above, pruning consists in cutting the caryopteris back after the blooming and covering the plant with a thick layer of leaves.
If the climate in your area is harsh, wait for spring before pruning.
Caryopteris, sometimes called bluebeard, is remarkable for its unique blooming in fall, the color of its flowers but also its fragrant leaves.
There are many varieties, like the ‘White surprise’ or the ‘Summer sorbet’ and the plant is easily recognizable by checking on its superb mottled leafage. There also are pink varieties such as the ‘Autumn pink’.
Shown here are pictures of the ‘Dark Knight’ Caryopteris and the ‘Lissilv Sterling Silver’, which has silvery foliage.
It grows to form a shrub that gives a flower bed a round and colorful touch, and is particularly well-liked by butterflies and bees that visit it repeatedly.
There are many caryopteris hybrids, even if these are reputed to be more vulnerable to freezing.
Although this plant it easy to grow, it does ask to be set in a spot that is sheltered and endowed with sun. No diseases have been reported to infect it.
The named forms differ mainly in foliage and flower colour rather than in habit. Here are the ones mentioned above, and what sets each one apart.
| Variety | Distinctive feature | Chosen for |
|---|---|---|
| ‘White surprise’ | Mottled, variegated leafage | Foliage interest as well as flowers |
| ‘Summer sorbet’ | Mottled, variegated leafage | A brightly marked shrub in a bed |
| ‘Autumn pink’ | Pink flowers | Gardeners wanting pink instead of the usual bluebeard colour |
| ‘Lissilv Sterling Silver’ | Silvery foliage | A pale, soft-leaved effect in the border |
| ‘Dark Knight’ | Classic bluebeard shown in the pictures here | The familiar flowering form |
Whichever you pick, remember that hybrids are reputed to be more vulnerable to freezing.
Mulch will protect the caryopteris from freezing when winters are cold.
