Bluebeard
Bluebeard is a small-to-medium-sized round shrub. The slightly aromatic leaves are slender and a light gray-green color in summer, turning yellow in the fall.
The flowers are blue, forming in clusters on the stems that nearly cover the plant. Flowers are followed by small light tan seedpods that persist through the winter.
This is a good plant with interest in all seasons, and it is a popular choice in the Colorado Springs area. Some specific cultivars to consider include the following:
- 'Blue Mist' - grey-green leaves and powder blue flowers
- 'Dark Knight' - deep blue-purple flowers with leaves of dark grey-green
- 'Worcester Gold' - yellow foliage becoming chartreuse in heat of summer, blue flowers
- 'First Choice' - earlier blooming, deep blue flowers, tighter branching habit
- 'Longwood Blue' - pure blue flowers, later blooming
Bluebeard
Bluebeard is a small-to-medium-sized round shrub. The slightly aromatic leaves are slender and a light gray-green color in summer, turning yellow in the fall.
The flowers are blue, forming in clusters on the stems that nearly cover the plant. Flowers are followed by small light tan seedpods that persist through the winter.
This is a good plant with interest in all seasons, and it is a popular choice in the Colorado Springs area. Some specific cultivars to consider include the following:
- 'Blue Mist' - grey-green leaves and powder blue flowers
- 'Dark Knight' - deep blue-purple flowers with leaves of dark grey-green
- 'Worcester Gold' - yellow foliage becoming chartreuse in heat of summer, blue flowers
- 'First Choice' - earlier blooming, deep blue flowers, tighter branching habit
- 'Longwood Blue' - pure blue flowers, later blooming
Plant details
Botanic Name
Caryopteris x clandonensis
Pronunciation
kar-ee-OP-ter-iss klan-don-EN-sis
Mature Height
3 to 4 ft
Mature Spread
3 to 4 ft.
Water usage
One Droplet: Water twice per month or less, once established.
Two Droplets: Water about once per week, once established.
Three Droplets: Water about twice per week, once established.
Flower Color
blue
Bloom time
mid-July through September
Colorado Native
No
Natural Habitat
species is native to Himalayas and mountians of east Asia
Light Requirements
sun
Cold Hardiness
USDA zones 4-9
Elevation Limit
hardy to 8,500 ft.
Performance
Several of these shrubs are growing very well in groups throughout the Water Wise Demonstration Garden in the moderate and low water zones.
When these shrubs are in peak bloom, they attract hordes of bees with their flowers. They are located in full sun and part shade. The plants in the shady area are a little more leggy and they have fewer blooms.
If the seedheads are left on the plant for winter interest, it can spread by seed. We hand pull the seedlings that germinate.
Maintenance
The stems of bluebeard will die back partway over the winter. Cut back to new growth to preserve most of the growth, or cut back the stems to ground level to rejuvenate the shrub. The flowers appear on new growth.
See in a landscape
The stonework and hardscape in this yard help add structure and planting space while allowing the landscape to blend into the surrounding native areas. The planting beds closer to the house and near the patios are slightly higher water using and have a pop of color that accents the entrance. The plants outside of the courtyard require less water and maintenance and help blend in with the Colorado landscape that surrounds this yard. This is a great example of a no-grass yard that instead features courtyard gardens, patios and a pathway around the house.
Before this backyard was renovated, the grass was out of control! It was fence-to-fence and took a lot of time and money to hand water. Three quarters of the grass was removed and a large patio and planting beds took it's place. The patio is gravel and recycled concrete from a pathway that was in the yard to keep the outdoor living area renovation affordable. The planting beds are large enough to accommodate trees, shrubs, perennials and raised vegetable beds which are watered by drip irrigation. The new, smaller lawn area was updated with an efficient irrigation system using rebated heads and nozzles.
The owners of this landscape are in the process of shrinking the bluegrass and replacing it with plants better suited for Colorado. The front yard of this north Colorado Springs residence has been modified by renovating the parkway to feature a small tree, a couple shrubs and flowering perennials that give instant curb appeal. The backyard is in process with an end goal of shrinking the turfgrass area and creating large planting beds along the perimeter of the yard that will feature xeric plants. This is a great example of working in phases and thinking through the project a little bit at a time.
This front yard gets creative with landscaping without bluegrass. The dry streambed and various mulch areas help break up large spaces and create areas to leave unplanted and other areas to plant. The plants in this landscape are trees, shrubs and ornamental grasses that need very little maintenance and only a few flowering perennials that need a little more maintenance. This yard creates a unified look by repeating mulch and plants on both sides of the driveway and the parkway, giving this mountain xeriscape a complete look.