Dark Knight Spirea
Dark Knight spirea is one of the easiest small shrubs to grow in a low water landscape. Throughout spring and early summer, it grows as a compact mound of upright branches covered with grey-green linear leaves. In late summer, dark blue flower spikes cover the shrub.
The flower spikes mature into tan seedheads that persist throughout the winter, capturing snow during winter storms. It can be an excellent, all-purpose, tidy low water shrub.
Dark Knight Spirea
Dark Knight spirea is one of the easiest small shrubs to grow in a low water landscape. Throughout spring and early summer, it grows as a compact mound of upright branches covered with grey-green linear leaves. In late summer, dark blue flower spikes cover the shrub.
The flower spikes mature into tan seedheads that persist throughout the winter, capturing snow during winter storms. It can be an excellent, all-purpose, tidy low water shrub.
Plant details
Botanic Name
Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight'
Pronunciation
kar-ee-OP-ter-iss klan-don-EN-sis
Mature Height
3 to 4 ft.
Mature Spread
2 to 3 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
dark blue
Bloom time
July-August
Colorado Native
No
Natural Habitat
species is native to Himalayas and mountians of east Asia
Light Requirements
sun
Cold Hardiness
USDA zones 5-8
Elevation Limit
hardy to 8,500 ft.
Performance
Dark Knight spirea has been an excellent plant at the Water Wise Demonstration Garden. It's tidy compact form and reliable flower production make it adaptable to many landscapes. It's flowers are a deeper blue than blue mist spirea, plus the plant itself is smaller.
The flowers attract bees, so make sure you plant it in an appropriate location.
Maintenance
Cut off the old flower stalks in late winter by removing about 6-12 inches of the outer branches. If the shrub needs rejuvenation, cut the stems back to ground level before new growth begins in spring.