Caryopteris is a cool customer. As most other shrubs are singing their final hurrah for the summer and chucking out the last of their blooms Caryopteris creeps up and subtly opens the powdery blue flowers and carries on until the autumn.
Caryopteris can flower from late summer to autumn quite happily and with few other shrubs in flower at that time of year the competition is not fierce.
The leave are aromatic and often contrast against the blue flowers that range from light powdery blue to dark blue depending on variety. The foliage also comes in a range from subtle blue-grey to golden.
Caryopteris are a great choice for an ornamental shrub and are hugely popular with bees and butterflies as well as us humans. They look good when planted as solo plants, in groups of three And even as a low informal late summer interest hedging option.
They are happy in a sunny spot with a well drained soil that is not too rich. A light trim in the spring keeps the shape in order but is no big issue if you forget either.
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Heavenly Blue Worcester Gold Blue Fountain
