An accidental hybrid ofC.
mongholica,ithas since been bred to produce several popular cultivars.
The compact size and soft gray foliage make bluebeard plants a good choice in any size garden.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Growing from neat low mounds, the narrow silvery-gray leaves resemble those of willow.
Small, pale blue flowers cover the plant from midsummer into fall.
They will tolerate some shade, although flowering will be somewhat reduced.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Bluebeard may bloom later in the season if it’s planted in a shady location.
Bluebeard thrives best with a neutral soil pH but will accept slightly acidic or slightly alkaline conditions.
Water
Bluebeard plants are drought-tolerant, but water them regularly when young.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Once established, they dont require any supplemental watering unless you are having a particularly dry season.
Side dressing with compost is preferred over chemical fertilizers for bluebeard plants.
Too much fertilizer makes for a leafy plant with fewer blooms.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
you’re able to cut them back to 12 to 18 inches without harm.
As the plant ages, you will get some dead wood in the center.
Prune this out as needed.
Propagating Bluebeard Plants
Bluebeard may self-seed, and the volunteers can be transplanted as you wish.
you’re free to also propagate by softwood cuttings in late spring.
Repot to refresh the growing medium once a year.
Overwintering
No particular winter protection is necessary with these plants.
Clear away plant debris from around the base of the plants to prevent fungi and pest larvae from overwintering.
Some gardeners like to do severe pruning in early winter rather than spring.
If the bugs disturb you, insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, or neem oil will control them.
However, over-fertilizing can cause the plant to direct its energy into leaf production at the expense of flowers.
If your plant is not blooming adequately, consider cutting back on whatever fertilizer or compost it is getting.
What Do Bluebeard Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Although bluebeard is known for its blue flowers, there are also purple and pink hybrids.
Bluebeards namesake comes from the base petals that look like a tuft of hair or beard.
The nectar from these fragrant flowers attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
Birds feed on bluebeard when the flowers go to seed in the fall.
Not only do the blooms have a light, sweet fragrance, but the leaves smell like eucalyptus.
How to Encourage More Blooms
Regulardeadheadingof the spent flower heads will help stimulate continued blooming.
Close examination may show brown, brittle stem sections at ground level.
By the time the disease is diagnosed, it may be too late to save the plant.
The C.xclandonensishybrid is by far the most popular form of bluebeard, bred to be especially hardy.
But there are several other species you may be able to find at specialty plant suppliers, includingC.
incana, C. divaricata, andC.
Once established, bluebeard plants will happily thrive for many years.
There are known instances of plants living several decades.
This award-winning plant was born entirely by accident.
In 1930, an Englishman named Arther Simmonds attempted to propagateCaryopteris mongholicafrom gathered seeds.
Unknown to him, aC.
Caryopteris x clandonensis.North Carolina State Extension Plant Finder
Fourlined plant bug.University of Minnesota Extension