Caryopteris
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- kay-ree-OP-ter-iss
- Description
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Bluebeard is a genus of seven species of medium size (3 to 4 feet high at maturity) heraceous perennial shrubs with abundant small, blue flowers clustered on the stems and blooming for about two months in late summer and early fall. The plant is native to East Asia. The genus name comes from the Greek karyon meaning "nut" and pteron meaning "wing" in reference to the winged fruits found on this shrub.
Bluebeard grows best in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. The plant prefers loose loams or sandy soils and tolerates some drought. However, it does not do well in wet, poorly-drained soils. The roots of the plant are winter hardy, but the top growth is only reliable to USDA Zone 7. Thus, many gardeners assume the stems will be damaged in winter and hard prune all stems each year in early spring. This practice promotes vigorous new stem growth and flowering is unaffected because plants bloom on new growth.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Caryopteris
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- 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
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Four-valved capsule containing four seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Abundant blue flowers in terminal and axillary clusters bloom in late summer into early fall.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Plants in this genus have opposite, simple ovate to lanceolate, leaves with an entire or crenate margin. Foliage emits an aroma when crushed.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
