Cultivars of the speciesCaryopteris x clandonensisare increasingly popular with American gardeners.
Caryopteris Care
Caryopteris is a major pollinator plant that provides late-season food for bees and butterflies.
An added advantage is deer resistance.
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Growth habit is similar tobutterfly bushwith mostly softwood and flowering on new shoots.
Spring planting should take place after all danger of frost has passed.
For autumn planting, set caryopteris out about four weeks before the first frost.
Then place the shrub in the planting hole feathering out the roots.
Backfill the soil, lightly tamp down, and water well.
If you are planting more than one caryopteris, space shrubs about two feet apart.
Fill it with a combination of high-quality potting mix, compost, and sand.
Plant the caryopteris following the directions above.
Potted plants need more frequent watering and benefit from regular feeding with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
Light
Caryopteris needs full sun at least six hours daily.
Planting in the shade leads to thin foliage and a dearth of flowers.
Soil
This shrub does not tolerate soggy soil which causesroot rot.
The ideal temperature is from 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Roots are cold hardy to zone 5 with top growth dying back during cold weather.
Protect roots with a 3-inch layer of mulch in areas where temperatures dip to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fertilizer
Fertilizing caryopteris is optional and plants respond better toorganic soil amendmentsthan to inorganic products.
To give young shrubs a boost, apply a balanced fertilizer such as an NPK 10-10-10 in early spring.
For a more suitable alternative work aged compost, garden, or potting soil into the planting hole.
Types of Caryopteris
New cultivars from crossbreeding within Caryopteris species appear regularly and cultivars ofC.
clandonensishave proven especially successful and popular in US gardens.
Propagating Caryopteris
Potting and Repotting
The shrub reaches its mature size in one season.
Starting out with a pot that’s too large can result in overly soggy soil and root rot.
In subsequent years repotting need only be done to renew the growing medium.
If you experience especially harsh winters you may want to plant in a protected location.
Move pot-grown shrubs into an unheated garage, basement, or porch.
When overwintered indoors as a houseplant, the plant goes into dormancy and loses all its foliage.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Caryopteris is relatively free of both pests and plant disease.
Depending on where you live, your shrubs may attract pests or fungal diseases endemic to your specific environment.
Infestations are rare and the only real issue to guard against is root rot.
How Long Does Caryopteris Bloom?
What Do Caryopteris Flowers Look and Smell Like?
True blue flowers from light to darker violet shades are a hallmark of caryopteris.
New cultivars sometimes offer blooms in white or shades of purple.
Both flowers and foliage are fragrant with leaves giving off a eucalyptus-like aroma when crushed.
Not all cultivars are especially pleasing to the nose as is the case with the variety ‘Snow Fairy.’
For in-ground shrubs, avoid overly rich soil amendments and fertilizers which increase foliage but decrease flowering.
For container-grown plants use a well-draining potting mix and a balanced liquid fertilizer according to the label.
It will regrow in the spring and bloom on new wood.
In zones 5 and 6 foliage is likely to die back in winter regardless.
In zones 7 to 9 foliage may remain on the plant.
Common Problems With Caryopteris
The most common problem with caryopteris is wilting due to oversaturated roots.
Amend heavy clay soils or plant in a location with loose well-draining soil.
Avoid overwatering established plants by irrigating when the soil is dry to a depth of 5 inches.
Young plants should be watered when the top 2 inches of soil is dry.
Check the soil for moisture since wilting can be a sign of both under and overwatering.
Caryopteris is a small shrub or subshrub that behaves much like a woody perennial.
This is a short-lived plant lasting from three to five years before replacement is needed.
Caryopteris clandenensisis considered the hardiest and most popular of the caryopteris species.
It includes several cultivars with some a bit fussier than others.
In general, this is a low-maintenance plant with plenty to offer.
