Bluebeard
Caryopteris clandonensis · Lamiaceae
The gardener's calendar
Bluebeard is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Caryopteris clandonensis
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Type
- Deciduous shrub
- Mature height
- Around 1 m
- Flowering
- August to October
- Flower color
- Lavender blue
- Hardiness
- Down to -15 °C
- Origin
- Horticultural hybrid (China and Japan)
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Caryopteris blooms late (August-October), making it a lovely autumn resource for pollinators. Prune hard in March to boost flowering.
The common mistake
Skipping annual rejuvenation pruning: the plant becomes woody, hollow, and flowers very little after 3-4 years.
The pro's trick
Cut back to 30 cm from the ground in March to trigger dense flowering on young wood.
Seasonal watch
Early autumn (cold September): if frost hits before flowers fade, they turn blackened but continue to open.
Care
Sunlight
The Clandon bluebeard thrives in full sun (minimum 6 hours per day) for generous flowering and colorful foliage. A south or west-facing exposure is ideal. In very hot regions, it appreciates some afternoon shade.
Watering
This shrub tolerates drought well once established. Water regularly during the first year after planting, then reduce watering. During summer, weekly watering is generally sufficient; space out watering more in autumn and winter.
Soil
The bluebeard prefers well-drained, light and poor to average soil. Compact or overly moist soils promote root rot. Adding gravel or sand improves drainage if needed.
Pruning and maintenance
Prune hard in late winter (February-March) to rejuvenate the shrub and encourage abundant flowering. Remove dead or weak branches. Light pruning after flowering can extend autumn blooming.
Fertilizer
The bluebeard is not demanding. A balanced fertilizer application in spring is sufficient. Avoid excess nitrogen which stimulates foliage at the expense of flowers. Light compost at the base in spring is beneficial.
Diseases and pests
This shrub is very robust and rarely affected by diseases. Watch for powdery mildew in case of excessive humidity, especially if air circulation is poor. Spider mites may appear in very dry climates.
Did you know?
The Clandon bluebeard is a hybrid created at Clandon Castle (Surrey, England) in the early twentieth century, resulting from the crossing of two Asian species. Its scientific name perpetuates this historic site. Its finely toothed foliage releases a pleasant aromatic scent when rubbed, a characteristic feature of Lamiaceae plants.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.