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Caryopteris

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
kay-ree-OP-ter-iss
Description

This is a genus of seven herbaceous plants or small shrubs in the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to East Asia.

They can grow 3 to 13 feet tall and 3 to 10 feet wide, They generally prefer a sandy loam with good drainage and full sun. They may die down in colder winter areas but may be semi-evergreen in warmer winter zones. Drought-tolerant once established

The blue or white flowers are generally arranged in clusters around the upper leaf segments. Cultivars in pink and purple are available. Flowers attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

The most popular of the bluebeards can be used in the border of pollinator gardens for fall color. Larger species can be used as low hedges and shrub borders.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: If not properly drained, root rot and crown rot can occur. No significant diseases or insect pests.

See this plant in the following landscape :
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Beyond Pink'd®
    Pink flowers
  • Caryopteris X clandonensis Caryopteris x clandonensis
  • 'Dark Night'
    2-3' with dark blue/purple flowers, and grey/green foliage.
  • 'Sapphire Surf'
    1.5-2' with dark blue flowers.
  • ‘Snow Fairy’
    Variegated foliage
Beyond Pink'd®, Caryopteris X clandonensis, 'Dark Night', 'Sapphire Surf', ‘Snow Fairy’
Tags:
#pruning tolerant#herbaceous perennial#woody shrub#shrub#butterfly friendly#deer resistant#flowering shrub#container plant#hummingbird friendly#bee friendly#container#rabbit resistant#showy#showy flowers#rounded#fragrant leaves#containers#border#fragrant flowers#bees#border planting#compact#pollinator garden#drought tolerant#low maintenance#tubular flowers#self-seeding#late summer flowers#butterfly garden#mixed borders#compact shrub#cottage garden#well-drained soil
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Beyond Pink'd®
    Pink flowers
  • Caryopteris X clandonensis Caryopteris x clandonensis
  • 'Dark Night'
    2-3' with dark blue/purple flowers, and grey/green foliage.
  • 'Sapphire Surf'
    1.5-2' with dark blue flowers.
  • ‘Snow Fairy’
    Variegated foliage
Beyond Pink'd®, Caryopteris X clandonensis, 'Dark Night', 'Sapphire Surf', ‘Snow Fairy’
Tags:
#pruning tolerant#herbaceous perennial#woody shrub#shrub#butterfly friendly#deer resistant#flowering shrub#container plant#hummingbird friendly#bee friendly#container#rabbit resistant#showy#showy flowers#rounded#fragrant leaves#containers#border#fragrant flowers#bees#border planting#compact#pollinator garden#drought tolerant#low maintenance#tubular flowers#self-seeding#late summer flowers#butterfly garden#mixed borders#compact shrub#cottage garden#well-drained soil
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Caryopteris
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Use in a pollinator garden or as a low border or in a compact garden.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southern Siberia to China and Temperate East Asia
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Easy to Grow
    Fragrance
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 13 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 16 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Good Dried
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Four-valved capsule containing four seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Abundant blue flowers in terminal and axillary clusters bloom in late summer into early fall.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Plants in this genus have opposite, simple ovate to lanceolate leaves with an entire or crenate margin. Foliage emits an aroma similar to eucalyptus when crushed.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Description:
    Square stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Rabbits