Thursday, October 27, 2016

Caryopteris x clandonensis - Blue Mist Spirea - Waterwise Shrub for Autumn Flowers!

If you need a small shrub that can tolerate a very hot, sunny spot in the garden, Caryopteris x clandonensis is a great choice for you.  Also known as Blue Mist Spirea (even though it is not a spirea) or Bluebeard, Caryopteris is a very easy-to-grow shrub for the xeriscape garden.  It gets about 3 or 4 feet tall and 3 or 4 feet wide.  The foliage is greenish gray and in late summer and fall it is covered with bright blue flowers.  Bees and butterflies are crazy about it as it provides food for them late in the season when other flower sources have quite blooming.  Caryopteris is hardy in Utah and only needs a deep soaking during the hottest times of July and August - about once every 10 days.   Trim back the spent flowers in late fall or early spring.
Caryopteris x clandonensis - Blue Mist Spirea growing in Utah


fall blooming Caryopteris x clandonensis - shrub for xeriscape garden

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