Bluebeard, a shrub that is also known as blue mist or blue spirea, can take the worst of a hot summer (heat, lack of water, and humidity) and still manage to perform well. It generally lives four to five years before it needs replacing, but during that time it offers dependable foliage and pretty blue flowers from mid to late summer. Bluebeard forms low-growing, finely textured mounds and is deer resistant.
Noteworthy CharacteristicsRelatively drought tolerant and very heat tolerant.
CareBluebeard likes full sun to partial shade and very well-drained soil that is not overly rich. Cut back in late winter for a strong, dense shrub in summer.
PropagationSeparate rooted stems from parent plant, and transplant in early spring. Also from softwood cuttings.
ProblemsInfrequent. Capsid bugs may affect leaves. May need to be hard-pruned in spring in areas with severe winters.
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- Genus : Caryopteris
- Plant Height : 1 to 3 feet
- Plant Width : 3 to 6 feet
- Zones : 6, 7, 8, 9
- Characteristics : Attracts Bees, Attracts Hummingbirds
- Tolerance : Deer Tolerant
- Moisture : Dry to Medium
- Growth Rate : Fast
- Light : Full Sun
- Maintenance : Low
- Plant Type : Shrubs
- Bloom Time : Summer
- Plant Seasonal Interest : Summer Interest
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