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Bluebeard

Caryopteris

The Late-Summer Electric: Caryopteris x clandonensis (Bluebeard)


The Snapshot

  • Common Name: Bluebeard, Blue Spirea, Blue Mist Shrub

  • Scientific Name: Caryopteris x clandonensis

  • Origin: Hybrid (Parents from East Asia)

  • Hardiness: Zones 5 – 9 (Bulletproof in NJ, but loves a sunny, well-drained spot).

  • The "Vibe": Airy, modern, and high-energy; the "cool-down" for a hot summer yard.

Why It’s a Jersey "Late-Season" Essential

  • The "True Blue" Color: In late August and September, Bluebeard explodes with clusters of fringed, cobalt-blue flowers. Since "true blue" is rare in the shrub world, it creates a massive visual impact.

  • Pollinator Magnetism: If you want to see every butterfly and bumblebee in the county, plant this. It is often covered in so many pollinators that the entire bush seems to "hum."

  • Aromatic Foliage: The leaves are a soft, silvery-green and have a delicious, herbal/eucalyptus scent when brushed against or crushed.

  • Compact & Tidy: Most varieties stay in a neat, 2-to-3-foot mound, making them perfect for "front of the border" placements or small suburban NJ foundation beds.

Stories from the Garden

"I have a south-facing garden in Westfield that gets absolutely baked in the summer. I planted three 'Blue Knight' Caryopteris, and they are the toughest things I own. When the rest of the garden starts to look 'crispy' in August, these guys turn into these glowing blue orbs. The bees go absolutely crazy for them, and I love that the leaves smell like sage when I'm weeding around them. It's the perfect way to end the summer season."

— David L., Zone 7 Gardener (Westfield, NJ)


Designer Tips: Where to Plant

  • The "Cool & Hot" Contrast: Plant Bluebeard next to yellow or orange flowers like Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) or Butterfly Weed (Asclepias). The blue-and-yellow combination is a classic high-summer look.

  • The Walkway Border: Because it stays small and smells great, plant it along a walkway where people will brush against the aromatic leaves.

  • The "Dry Bank" Solution: If you have a sunny slope where the hose won't reach, mass-plant Caryopteris. It will thrive in the heat and stabilize the soil.

Designer Pro-Tip: The "Spring Haircut." Caryopteris blooms on new wood. In late March, cut the whole plant back to about 6–12 inches from the ground. This prevents the plant from getting "woody" or "leggy" and ensures a dense, flower-packed mound come August.

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