Caryopteris x cland. Heavenly Blue - Bluebeard - Plant in 2 L Pot

Caryopteris are native to China, Korea, Japan, Mongolia. Today the most widely planted of this well loved plant are derived from the hybrid Caryopteris x clandonensis. The accidental cross that produced it occurred in the garden of Arthur Simmonds at Clandon, near Guildford, Surrey, in 1930. A small, deciduous sub shrub, with aromatic foliage, they are well known and appreciated for their flowers that are produced late in the year, when there are few other flowering shrubs. The flowers are said to resemble clouds of blue smoke or mist. Caryopteris x clandonensis Heavenly Blue is a cultivar from America. In addition to being a more compact and rounded form, it has rather darker blue flowers. While the top may be damaged by harsh frost the roots are much hardier. It is good practice to cut back to almost ground level in early spring to encourage new growth that will flower in abundance. Given this treatment they will become a profuse shrub covered with blooms of deep bluish purple flowers in terminal and axillary clusters (cymes) from late summer until the first frosts. Ovate to lance-shaped grey green leaves are silvery below. Foliage is aromatic when brushed with a hand. Flowers are very attractive to butterflies bees and other beneficial insects. Easy to grow in full sun or semi shade in most well drained soils, including chalky ones. This plant can be used in a mixed planting or as a stand alone specimen in the garden or can easily be grown in a pot or other container. Use a good quality compost. Ensure you feed regularly as a hungry plant is a poor performer. We recommend Osmoscote pro 5-6 month applied in the early spring. One application gives all the nutrients the plant requires for the whole year.