Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Longwood Blue'

Bluebeard, blue mist shrub, or blue spirea - whatever you want to call it - is a great shrub! Caryopteris is an aromatic mint relative that is as easy to grow and propagate, but, thankfully, you do not have to worry about it taking over the garden. Silver foliage is adorned by blue flowers in July and August. The silhouettes of dried flowers are attractive in the winter garden.

Easy to grow in any well-drained soil in full sun.

We treat this as an herbaceous perennial and whack is back to the ground in early spring in our Zone 5 garden, where only the roots are reliably winter hardy. Growers is Zones 7 and up can skip that step as dieback is not a concern in warm areas.

Zones: 5 to 9

Family: Lamiaceae

Type: Deciduous Shrub

Height: 24 to 48 in.

Spread: 24 to 48 in.

Exposure: Full Sun

Soil Condition: Average, well-drained soil

Bloom Time: July to August

Native Range: east Asia