Do you want an easy to grow shrub that has very few pest problems, isn’t munched on by deer or rabbits, and looks great at the end of summer? No it’s not impossible, think caryopteris! Caryopteris (Caryopteris x clandonensis also called blue mist shrub, bluebeard, or blue mist spirea) is deer and rabbit resistant if not proof, blooms in the fall, and simply looks stunning in the September garden. It’s also extremely easy to propagate if you want to grow more or create a short border header. Caryopteris will easily grow to be a 3′ shrub from a cutting taken in the spring within two years. Taking cuttings from it in spring and summer encourages it to become a much bushier plant.
In my side garden I’ve been gradually adding them as a shrub border plant. I’m spacing them close together so that the row of caryopteris shrubs will fill in and thicken to create a pathway edged in blue for September. This particular caryopteris is ‘Longwood Blue’ named for Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania.
I like to leave the foliage of caryopteris through the winter and trim it back in the spring. It’s hardy from zones 5-8 but leaving the branches on through the winter will add a little extra protection from the cold.
I usually can find caryopteris at a local nursery in the summer fairly cheaply. You don’t need to buy a pot larger than 4″ which can be usually found at a low price. That may be because it isn’t in bloom when I find it and many people will only look and buy things when they are blooming. This is a case where knowing what the plant will look like greatly benefits the gardener.
It’s hard for me to believe that these are already in bloom. Fall is close, real close!
The Perennial Care Manual by Nancy Ondra
For a great resources on taking care of your perennials get this book by Nancy Ondra, The Perennial Care Manual (Am. Aff.). Nancy is an amazing horticulturalist and garden writer who authors the blog Hayfield in Pennsylvania.
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Thank you for showing your shrub border. I had caryopteris one year and it drowned because of poor siting. I've wanted more ever since and could not decide where to put it until I saw your photo of caryopteris alongside taller shrubs. I'll put it beside loropetalum on higher ground which has been awaiting companions.
If I decide caryopteris is not going to be happy in this humidity no matter what I do, I'll substitute Duranta. Thanks.
Your border is awesome and filling nicely. I tried this twice and it did not like my garden so no more for me but I do think it most pretty. I might try Nell Jean's suggestion on the duranta as a replacement.
I've been waiting for someone to post on this! Great plant here in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Thanks for the propagation tips.
Ah another dose of propagation motivation.
A blue lined path is wonderful.
Caryopteris is a popular plant over here.
What a beautiful shrub!! Fall is coming with a quickness, (I hope).
Love that blue. I will have to check this one out.
Dear Dave .. I don't have this one .. I have been thinking about it .. especially because of the pretty blue colour .. I will seriously THINK about it some more for next year !
Joy : )
Very nice plan for the walkway! I love to see color in the fall when everything else is getting tired!
It's a beautiful shrub Dave…and I haven't any in this garden. I like how you've planted it Dave. It's really lovely massed or planted in drifts. I found a variegated one the other day…too expensive! gail