Caryopteris × clandonensis ‘Longwood Blue’
Overview
Uses: Pollinator gardens, mixed borders, mass plantings, and dry, sunny spots.
Benefits: A classic bluebeard selected at Longwood Gardens, with fragrant sky-blue flowers over silvery gray-green foliage from late summer into fall. Bees and butterflies crowd the blooms when little else is flowering.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–9
Sun: Full Sun
Life Cycle: Deciduous Shrub
Growth Habit: Mounding, Rounded — compact and airy.
Bloom Color: Sky Blue (fragrant)
Foliage Color: Silvery Gray-Green
Mature Height: 2–3 feet
Mature Width: 2–3 feet
Bloom Season: Late summer to fall
Growth Rate: Fast
Summary
A haze of true blue just when the garden starts to look tired.
Bluebeard is one of the few shrubs that saves its show for the end of the season. ‘Longwood Blue’, a selection from Longwood Gardens, covers itself in clusters of small sky-blue flowers from late summer into fall, stacked along the upper stems over soft, silvery gray-green leaves. The combination reads cool and calm next to the hot oranges and golds of late-season perennials.
It stays small and airy, forming a loose, rounded mound about two to three feet tall and wide. That size suits the front of a border, the edge of a walk, or a group of three or five planted together for a sweep of blue.
The flowers draw a steady stream of bees and butterflies at a time when nectar is getting scarce, and the leaves release a pleasant, spicy scent when brushed. Once established it takes heat and dry, lean soil in stride, which makes it a good fit for sunny slopes and hard-to-water beds.
Care
Longwood Blue Bluebeard Care
Plant in full sun. In shade, stems grow lanky and flowering drops off noticeably.
Good drainage matters more than soil richness. Bluebeard grows well in average, sandy, or rocky soil and dislikes heavy, wet ground, especially in winter. In clay, plant on a slight rise or amend generously so water does not sit around the roots.
Water deeply once or twice a week through the first growing season while roots establish. After that, plants handle dry spells well and usually need water only during long droughts. Avoid keeping the soil constantly moist.
Feeding needs are light. One application of a slow release fertilizer in early spring is plenty; too much feeding leads to floppy stems.
Bluebeard blooms on new growth, so prune in early spring once buds begin to show along the stems. Cutting the whole plant back to about 6 to 12 inches keeps it compact and full of flowers. In colder areas, the stems often die back partway in winter; wait for spring growth before pruning so you can see where live wood begins.
Size
What Size is the Longwood Blue Bluebeard for Sale Online?
Our Longwood Blue Bluebeard ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. Plants ship dormant or near dormant in the off-season, so they may arrive with few or no leaves. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Longwood Blue Bluebeard Grow?
Expect about 2 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide at maturity, in a loose, rounded mound. Because it is cut back each spring, it regrows to roughly that size every season. Space plants about 2 to 3 feet apart for a continuous mass planting.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
- Bluebeard
- Blue mist shrub
- Blue spirea
Why does it look dead in early spring?
Bluebeard is one of the last shrubs to leaf out, and in colder areas the upper stems often die back over winter. New growth usually appears from the lower stems by mid to late spring. Wait until you see green buds, then prune to just above them.
Does it handle drought?
Yes, once established. Bluebeard grows naturally in dry, well-drained ground and performs best in lean, sunny sites that would stress many flowering shrubs. Water during the first season, then only in extended dry spells. Explore more Drought-Tolerant Plants.
Is Longwood Blue bluebeard deer resistant?
Yes. The aromatic foliage is unappealing to deer, and bluebeard is rarely browsed. No plant is entirely deer proof when food is scarce, but it is a dependable choice in yards with deer pressure. See more Deer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens.
