Caryopteris × clandonensis ‘Kew Blue’

Description

Quick Facts

Botanical Name: Caryopteris × clandonensis ‘Kew Blue’
Common Name: Bluebeard
Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Mature Height: Approx. 75cm–1m
Mature Spread: Approx. 75cm–1m
Flowering Period: Late summer to early autumn
Flower Colour: Rich blue flowers
Foliage Colour: Grey-green
Hardiness: Hardy
Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil
Aspect: Full sun
Maintenance: Low

Description

Caryopteris × clandonensis ‘Kew Blue’ is a lovely compact shrub, valued for its rich blue flowers that appear in late summer and early autumn just when the garden is beginning to soften. Its grey-green foliage gives it a fresh, slightly silvery look, while the flowers bring a strong splash of colour and are especially attractive to bees.

Neat, reliable and easy to grow, this is a wonderful plant for adding late-season interest to sunny borders, where it provides both colour and structure.

Caragh Garden Notebook

Planting:
Plant in spring in a sunny, well-drained spot. It dislikes heavy, wet soil, so drainage is important.

Watering:
Water well after planting and during dry spells in the first season. Once established, it is fairly drought-tolerant.

Feeding:
A light mulch of compost in spring is usually enough.

Seasonal Care & Tidy-Up:
Cut back hard in early spring to encourage fresh new growth and better flowering.

Pests & Problems:

Generally trouble-free when grown in a sunny, well-drained position.

Design Notes:
A lovely choice for late-season colour in mixed borders, gravel gardens and pollinator-friendly planting schemes. It pairs beautifully with grasses, salvias, echinacea and other sun-loving perennials.