Caryopteris x clandonensis Kew Blue - Bluebeard - Plant in 2 L Pot

Caryopteris are native to China, Korea, Japan and Mongolia. Today, the most widely planted of this well loved plant are derived from the hybrid Caryopteris x clandonensis. Kew Blue was raised as a chance seedling of Carypoteris Arthur Simmonds at Kew Gardens in 1947 and has been a popular choice for gardeners ever since. It is a more compact and rounded form of these well known and very popular deciduous shrubs that are valued for their aromatic foliage and beautiful blue, late summer flowers which are said to resemble clouds of blue smoke or mist. 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, Kew Blue produces masses of fragrant, 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 free draining soils, including chlaky 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.