This leisurely - concern shrub prime by and by in the season , right when many other plant begin wind down .
turn for their gorgeous flower , bluebeard plants(Caryopteris ) add a much - needed splash of purplish blue to garden from mid to recent summer inUSDA Hardiness Zones4 - 9 . Theeasy - care shrubcarries its salient display through much of the tumble , ruffle well with nerveless gloss palettes and acting as a novel demarcation to the live colors of fall .
Also call blue mist spirea , this deciduous industrial plant features long , refined stem turn cover in diminutive leaves . At peak rosiness , those bow are loaded with blossoms thatdraw in butterfly stroke , bumblebee , and other helpful pollinators .
Credit: Rob Cardillo
Caryopterisxclandonensis(aka ‘ blue mist ’ bluebeard ) , which bears sonant , silver - green leaf , is one of the most popular cultivars . However , there are many other colorful smorgasbord to see .
Where to Plant Bluebeard
Bluebeard plants grow best in sunny location that receive at least 6 hours of lineal sunshine each day . As one of the fewflowering shrubs that bloom in late summertime , bluebeard plants can add colorful interest group to any bungalow or perennial garden . The fragrant peak and redolent foliation attract pollinators , so place it in butterfly stroke gardens or along bed and borders where its sweetheart can be relish .
Native to the mint slopes of eastern Asia , bluebeard is an first-class alternative for xeriscaping or planting in slope gardens where other plants may stammer . It ’s a deciduous bush in some locations but should be treated as a woody perennial and cut back in other places , depending on the wintertime temperatures . Bluebeard plant also seem attractive in containers , and several midget cultivars that can fit in smaller outer space are available .
How and When to Plant Bluebeard
The better time to plant bluebeard is during the cooler month of springtime after thelast spring frostbut before the punishing heat of summer or in the gloaming , about four weeksbefore nipping temperature arrive .
Bluebeard Care Tips
Bluebeard plants are comparatively grim - maintenance , drought - tolerant shrubs that can quickly grow to a height and width of 3 to 5 foot .
Light
Bluebeard plantsthrive in full sun . Some of the older varieties of bluebeard can display a fairly loose structure of branches , but full sun ensures these plants are as dense as possible . Full sun is also idealistic for the most impressive flower display ; the less sun the flora get , the fewer bloom seem .
Soil and Water
Bluebeard plant thrive best in loose , loamy , well - drained soilsand will not tolerate wet soil . If the soil stays smashed , the roots of bluebeard plants will likely rot . Moreover , if your bluebeard flora bide too wet during the winter , they are unconvincing to return in the spring . grime pH should be neutral , but the industrial plant will grow in somewhat alkaline or acidic territory .
Young bluebeard plants need regular water to establish a full-bodied root system . irrigate them when the top 2 inches of the stain are dry or if the plant shows sign of dehydration ( like wilting or curling leafage ) . Once found , bluebeard is drought - tolerant .
Temperature and Humidity
The optimal climate for bluebeard plants is 65 ° F to 85 ° F with moderate humidity , but they stick out high temperature and summer humidity . However , if temperature stay above 90 ° fluorine , they may need auxiliary watering .
Bluebeard can hold freezing temperatures , but in cool climates , the above - priming growth may go back in the winter . This is not a campaign for concern . As long as the beginning rest strong , the bluebeard plants will pass in the spring .
Fertilizer
Bluebeard flora do not require much fertilizer — if any . Overfertilization may cause the plant to focus on foliage growth alternatively of producing blooms . Instead , comprise some constitutive matteror compost into the planting hole before station your bluebeard plant life . This will ensure lush maturation and improve soil drain ,
Pruning
You do not require to deadhead your drop bluebeard blooms to encourage continuous bloom . The dry , segmented seed pod that remain allow visual stake after the flowers are gone .
You may be tempted toprune your bluebeard plantsin the fall , but doing so could cause Modern emergence that will be damage when winter temperatures go far . Instead , allow your bluebeard plants to die off over the wintertime and then prune them to approximately 6 to 8 inches from the primer in the spring . This signals to the plant that it is time to make new growth .
Potting and Repotting
Bluebeard figure out beautifully in container and make a adorable addition to sunny patios or decks , but container - grown plants may need more guardianship than those acquire in the ground .
Bluebeard plants tolerate transplantation , so if you need to move yours to a big container , the best prison term is in early spring or the cool ( but not cold ) fall months .
Pests and Problems
Bluebeard has few problems with pests and diseases , but root and crown decomposition can be an issue if the plant life ’s soil is too wet .
In some area , four - lined flora bugs can cause trouble for bluebeard plants , leaving behind dark , pear-shaped spotlight often mistaken forleaf spot . handling is usually not necessary as the living round of four - lined plant life bug only admit one propagation per year . Removal is nearly impossible as they are notoriously unsure , but if you spot them ahead of time , you may treat the plants with insecticidal grievous bodily harm to eradicate the nymphs .
How to Propagate Bluebeard
The easy mode to propagate bluebeard plant life isthrough stem film editing , but you may also collect the cum seedpod in the fall and store them in a plastic bag filled with damp sphagnum moss or squeeze the saucily harvest seeds into a dampseed - start mixkept at 68 ° atomic number 9 until germination .
Stem cuttings are a more reliable multiplication method — especially since most bluebeard cultivars found in nursery are hybrids .
Types of Bluebeard
Many of the newfangled bluebeard varieties are nanus in size , making them good choice for small spaces and containers . Other unexampled variety displaycolored foliagethat wo n’t combust in the sun . New and improved varieties brag bigger and bluer efflorescence .
‘Beyond Midnight’ Bluebeard
Caryopterisxclandonensis‘Beyond Midnight ’ is a recent introduction that has mysterious , dreary green foliage with a lovely glossary . The industrial plant are compact with deepblue efflorescence . zone 5 - 9
‘Blue Mist’ Bluebeard
Caryopteris‘Blue Mist ’ is one of the most commonly seen cultivars of bluebeard . It develop 3 foot tall and features light sorry blossom with an open , loose emergence habit perfect for bungalow garden . Zones 5 - 8
‘Longwood Blue’ Bluebeard
Caryopteris‘Longwood Blue ’ is one of the most outstanding introductions . It features sky - blue flowers that appear in midsummer and last until fall . It grows 4 feet magniloquent . zone 5 - 8
Petit Bleu Bluebeard
Caryopteris‘MinBleu ’ is a Gallic introduction that flash rich sky - blue flower on a compact , 3 - foot - marvellous plant . Zones 5 - 8
Sunshine Blue Bluebeard
Caryopteris incana‘Jason ’ provide orotund gold leaves that are a astral complement to the rich blue flowers . It grow 4 feet magniloquent and wide . zona 5 - 9
Companion Plants for Bluebeard
Coreopsis
The cheery icteric , red , orange , or pinkish blossoms ofcoreopsislook moderately alongside the true puritanic blooms of the bluebeard shrub . tickweed is more low - grow than bluebeard and thrives in lots of sunlight and well - draining soil . Zones 3 - 9
Lantana
If you are looking for a flora that can hold up the hot , ironical spot of your garden while also attracting pollinator , lantanais a great option . It produces orangish , pinkish , purple , scarlet , yellow , or livid salad days in summertime and fall and ( like bluebeard ) prefers full sunlight and well - draining soil . Zones 9 - 11
Lantana is considered invasive in some state . Check your local extension phone service before lend it to your garden .
Zinnia
Like bluebeard , zinniasprefer full sun and are drouth - resistant once institute . They are a favorite with pollinator such as hummingbird , bees , and butterflies and come in many shapes , sizes , and colors , except puritanical . Zinnias are some of the toughest annual you’re able to put in your garden . geographical zone 2 - 11
Garden Plans for Bluebeard
Property Line Garden Plan
‘ Dark Knight ’ bluebeard(Caryopterisxclandonensis)edges this property crinkle garden program and provides a stunning direct contrast to the shining yellowwitch hazelplanted nearby . Situate this garden plan along the bound of your landscape to provide a pretty roadblock between your yard and a neighbour ’s plant it along a fencing or bulwark to soften the space .
Frequently Asked Questions
The top outgrowth of bluebeard is not nearly as winter - hardy as the roots . Bluebeard bloom on new increase , so this characteristic typically is n’t a job . If you intend you have turn a loss your flora to wintertime , expect and watch for augury of growth at the base . For the most vigorous and compact ontogeny , cut back the bush each bound . Pruning encourages growth from the base and prevents plant from dying out in the eye .
Bluebeard is not classified as encroaching in any commonwealth , but it can ego - cum freely if not supervise . you could minimize the peril of unwanted plants by absent the peak before they go to seed or by pulling up any voluntary plants as they emerge .
Lantana Camara . Texas Invasive Species Institute .
Credit: Rob Cardillo
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Credit: Doug Hetherington
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Credit: Scott Little
Credit: Justin Hancock
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
