This hybrid was discovered in cultivation as an accidental cross between C. incana and C. mongholica. Your email address will not be published. Mulch will protect the caryopteris from freezing when winters are cold. grow tips prefers well-drained soil & full sun. Very resilient in the face of drought, cold and most diseases, caryopteris is a hardy ornamental plant. No diseases have been reported to infect it. Thus, stems will often die to the ground in the cold winters of Zones 5 and 6, with roots surviving to push up new stems in spring. Dark Knight Bluebeard, a.k.a. If the climate in your area is harsh, wait for spring before pruning. There are many varieties, like the ‘White surprise’ or the ‘Summer sorbet’ and the plant is easily recognizable by checking on its superb mottled leafage. Credits for images shared to Nature & Garden (all edits by Gaspard Lorthiois): I love Caryopteris! Late winter cutback provides impetus for loads of free flowering new growth. Snip 6-inch (15 cm) cuttings off new growth stems that have only partly hardened off. Dark Knight Caryopteris - (Caryopteris clandonensis 'Dark Knight') Shrubs Other Common Names: ... Never use any information from Gardenality to diagnose or treat any medical problem. Caryopteris x cleaned `dark Knight` a great plant for late summer color as it bursts forth with purple-blue flowers in August. Place plants at least 20 to 32 inches (50 to 80 cm) apart. In cold-winter climates, plants may suffer some dieback; prune away deadwood as new shoots emerge in spring. Varieties of Blue Beard . Although actually a woody shrub, Bluebeard is usually cut back each spring to 6 inches and treated more like a perennial. Lavender-blue flowers appear in leaf joints. Clandonensis hybrids typically produce about 18-30” of growth per year, so total shrub height (usually from 2-3’) depends in large part upon the extent of winter dieback and/or the annual spring pruning. … Caring for blue mist shrubs is quite easy as long as the plant gets plenty of sun and is planted in the appropriate zone listed above. The combination of wet soil and cold temperatures is particularly detrimental. Other common names bluebeard 'Dark Knight' . The Dark Knight Caryopteris is a low-growing deciduous shrub that becomes, in a single season, a rounded bush between 2 and 4 feet tall and wide. No serious insect or disease problems. Caryopteris clandonensis ‘Dark Knight’ in well-drained neutral to acid soil in full sun. Family – Lamiaceae (formerly Verbenaceae) Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight' (Bluebeard) is a compact, deciduous shrub of rounded habit with a profusion of fragrant, deep blue-purple flowers in late summer and early fall. The deciduous “Blue Mist” spirea (Caryopteris x clandonensis “Blue Mist”) provides garden color from midsummer through fall. It is possible to dip the cuttings in powdered rooting agents to increase the success rate. Valued for its late summer to fall flowers when few other shrubs are in bloom. There also are pink varieties such as the ‘Autumn pink’. Easy to grow in a sunny location in well-drained soil. Blue mist shrubs are drought-tolerant, and, hence, requires an average amount of irrigation. Covering the plant with thick dried leaves mulch will help protect from from freezing. Caryopteris Dark Knight Shrubs for Sale Online. A reliable performer, 'Dark Knight' flowers heavily every year. Crowns may rot in wet, poorly-drained soils. Caryopteris clandonensis Bluebeard plants are also commonly known as the Blue Mist shrub or Blue Spirea. This might be the problem. Dark Knight Caryopteris is an open multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Blue Mist (Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Blue Mist'): powder blue flowers. Taller than Caryopteris x clandonensis, with looser, more open growth to 34 feet tall, 5 feet wide. Its tidy, upright growth habit and profusion of flowering spikes make it an essential part of the summer landscape. A wonderful border for perennial beds, or … 2289. Caryopteris, sometimes called bluebeard, is remarkable for its unique blooming in fall, the color of its flowers but also its fragrant leaves. It is excellent for borders in garden beds or along walks and entryways. Blue Myth is noted for deep blue flowers and compact form, growing just 2-3 feet tall and wide. The Garden wouldn't be the Garden without our Members, Donors and Volunteers. Rating: 100 % of 100. Attractive to butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects, they contrast nicely with the dense foliage of dark green, lance-shaped, aromatic leaves. Genus Caryopteris can be deciduous shrubs or perennials, with aromatic, simple leaves and small blue or white flowers in compact axillary clusters in late summer and autumn . Caryopteris, commonly known as bluebeard spirea or blue-mist spirea, is really a woody shrub in more southern areas of the country. There are many caryopteris hybrids, even if these are reputed to be more vulnerable to freezing. 'Sunshine Blue': This cultivar has deep blue flowers offset by yellow foliage. Caryopteris cuttings root very easily from internodal cuttings with greenwood or semi-ripe wood. Many gardeners in Zones 5 and 6 simply assume stems will be damaged in winter and automatically prune back hard all stems each year in early spring. ‘Pink Chablis’: This Proven Winners introduction has pink flowers. One of the best Blue Mist Spirea varieties, 'Dark Knight' has the deepest blue color of them all. Shrub borders. It grows to form a shrub that gives a flower bed a round and colorful touch, and is particularly well-liked by butterflies and bees that visit it repeatedly. Foliage is aromatic when brushed with a hand.Genus name comes from Greek karyon meaning nut and pteron meaning wing in reference to the winged fruits found on this shrub. I love the blue color of most of the varieties and recently saw that there is … Remove lower pairs of leaves, keeping only the topmost 1 or 2 levels. Attractive to butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects, they contrast nicely with the dense foliage of dark … Caryopteris x c. 'Dark Knight' Blue Mist Spirea 15% OFF 'Dark Knight' is a mounding, deciduous, broadleaf shrub that is drought tolerant and showcases a compact form, gray-green leaves and spectacular deep blue flowers in late summer. 'Dark Knight': This variety has the darkest blue flowers, but it is a bit more temperamental to grow. Attractive compact, mounding shrub with deep purple blue, fragrant blooms, backed by silvery gray foliage. I doubt … Shown here are pictures of the ‘Dark Knight’ Caryopteris. For specimens grown in pots, adding flower plant fertilizer in spring will help nourish the soil. Details 'Dark Knight' is a rounded, deciduous shrub to 1.2m tall with ovate to lance-shaped aromatic leaves which are silvery below. Caryopteris × clandonensis, commonly called bluebeard, blue spirea or blue mist, is a low-mounded, deciduous shrub that is valued for its aromatic foliage and late summer flowers which are said to resemble clouds of blue smoke or mist. Growing Dark Knight Caryopteris Size and Appearance. Longwood Blue (Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Longwood Blue'): a taller cultivar reaching a height of 3 to 4 feet high, violet-blue flowers Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight' (Bluebeard) is a compact, deciduous shrub of rounded habit with a profusion of fragrant, deep blue-purple flowers in late summer and early fall. May be found sold under that name 'Black Knight'. This does not affect flowering as flowering will occur on new growth produced each year. Here in Michigan we should consider it a woody perennial since the amount of spring dieback will vary with the severity of the previous winter. Caryopteris clandonensis ‘Dark Knight’ Yield (stems/plant) Stem Length (inches) Market Appreciation Rating (1) Repeat Again Rating (1) Ease of Cultivation Rating (1) Average: 11.8: 16.5: 3.9: 4.4: 4.7 Caryopteris bloom by Jim under © CC BY 2.0. Although this plant it easy to grow, it does ask to be set in a spot that is sheltered and endowed with sun. Light mulch avoids weed growth and retains moisture in the soil. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for 'Dark Knight' Caryopteris x clandonensis - 4" Pot - Bluebeard at Amazon.com. Caryopteris is a flower shrub that is preferably planted in fall or spring, and even in summer if purchased in a container. Very effective in large groups or massed. This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and is best pruned … The purplish-blue … Share your garden joys & woes! USDA Z5 - Cold Hardy to -10 to … (Once established, they are considered to be very drought tolerant.) Thus, stems will often die to the ground in the cold winters of Zones 5 and 6, with roots surviving to push up new stems in spring. Type – shrub, Height – 5 feet (1.5 meters) Somewhere between a shrub and a perennial plant, it has many slender stems rising from the base, growing new each spring. Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight' This small, deciduous shrub grows to 3 feet tall and wide with dark green foliage and a mounded habit. The Home & Garden Center: East Texas' Largest Retail Nursery Prune back short at the end of winter, this will help produce an even more spectacular blooming in summer. Caryopteris, also called bluebeard, is a shrub that is unique thanks to its blooming. 'Dark Knight' features a profuse, shrub-covering bloom of fragrant, deep bluish-purple flowers in terminal and axillary clusters (cymes) from late summer into fall. ‘Dark Knight’ – deep blue blooms on a medium-sized plant of 2 to 3 feet (0.5 to 1 m.) Care for Blue Mist Shrubs. 4 years ago. Additional pests and problems that may affect this plant: In zones 4 and 5, the plant will die back to the ground like a herbaceous perennial. Its resistance to the cold and to freezing is low, since it suffers when the temperature drops below 23°F (-5°C). Flowering – August to October. Exposure – full sun Roots are winter hardy to USDA Zone 5, but top growth is only reliably winter hardy to USDA Zone 7. Caryopteris pollination by karen_hine under Public Domain Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. On the seaside, prefer an emplacement that is sheltered from wind. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. The best time to take cuttings is the the late spring to early summer to allow time for roots to form and the plant to get established before fall. 36-48" x 48" wide. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its resistance to the cold and to freezing is low, since it suffers when the temperature drops below 23°F (-5°C). The dark knight is generally care-free and easy to grow. Prune plants hard after flowering to enjoy the best show of flowers the following spring. Caryopteris in general are quite problem free plants, however they do require a full sun location in soil that is well drained, meaning not soggy. Dark Knight Bluebeard. It also fares well when grown in pots, especially if it freezes strongly in your area and you can bring it in for shelter in winter. Yellowing of the lower leaves can certainly be a symptom of overwatering. Caryopteris is a flower shrub that is preferably planted in fall or spring, and even in summer if purchased in a container. Perennial borders. As mentioned above, pruning consists in cutting the caryopteris back after the blooming and covering the plant with a thick layer of leaves. Intolerant of wet, poorly-drained soils. Caryopteris likes light and well drained soil types, even poor ones. If the soil of the original root ball is very different than the new soil, it may be water logged or very dry at the root zone, because the 'great soil' is wicking water away or into the root ball. Caryopteris isn’t too demanding as regards the quality of the soil, but proper planting will ensure good settling in, better development and abundant blooming. Moreover, even in warm winter climates where the stems usually survive winter, gardeners still frequently prune the plants back hard in early spring to promote vigorous new stem growth. Caryopteris is a plant that requires little care, even if some practices when seen through will extend the blooming and protect it in winter. Plants form a bushy, upright mound of bright-green leaves, the fragrant dark … Name – Caryopteris x clandonensis Caryopteris x clandonensis: The original hybrid is one of the hardiest forms available and still one of the most popular. Sammy. Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight' SKU. Dense whorls of nectar rich, purple to dark blue-purple, tubular flowers seemingly cover up the upper most portions of the plant for weeks beginning in mid to late summer and continuing into fall. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage. 1 Review Add Your Review. According to “Dave’s Garden” site, the plant needs well-drained soil. Bluebeard Dark Knight adds deep blue color and pleasant fragrance to your garden. Family Lamiaceae . Although actually a woody shrub, Bluebeard is usually cut back each spring to 6 inches and treated more like a perennial. Ovate to lance-shaped, dull green leaves (to 1.5" long) are silvery below. When in pots, you’ll also have to remember to water when the surface of the soil is dry. Pruning Caryopteris should be cut back hard each early spring, as soon as the new growth has begun to emerge on the stems. Flowering is unaffected by spring pruning because plants bloom on new growth. Dark Knight (Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight'): An upright habit grows 3 to 4 feet high and 2-3 feet wide, rich deep blue flowers. They are low growing, 2-3 foot shrubs that are covered with fragrant, powder blue flowers in late summer and early fall. You mentioned it was planted in really good soil. Black Knight, is a vigorous and easy sunloving free-flowering clump forming shrub-like perenn Drought tolerant (even moisture is required in the South and West). Caryopteris shrub by Patrick Standish under © CC BY 2.0 Season for planting caryopteris Caryopteris was one of the new perennials I added to my garden last … How to Propagate Caryopteris Read More » No comments yet – be the first to share your thoughts! Growing Caryopteris (Bluebeard) Latin Name Pronunciation: kair-ee-op'ter-iss . How to Care for Blue Mist Spirea. This severe pruning is important for the upkeep of a compact bearing and a nice blooming. Tolerates some drought. Roots are winter hardy to USDA Zone 5, but top growth is only reliably winter hardy to USDA Zone 7. Soil – rather rich, Foliage – deciduous Prefers loose loams. Your email address will not be published. Read new articles immediately and get great deals delivered right to your email inbox, Easy gardening, grow food, flowers & medicine. Low growing, mounding, & easy to grow, it prefers well drained soil & full sun. Keep the cuttings near light, without direct sunlight. Caryopteris Dark Knight Shrubs are a compact, mounding shrub with dense, fragrant, silver-gray foliage and deep purplish-blue flowers over a long blooming season starting in late summer. Making cuttings in summer is the easiest and fastest method to propagate caryopteris. Plants form a bushy, upright mound of bright-green leaves, the fragrant dark … Intolerant of wet, poorly-drained soils. You can plant caryopteris in fall, provided that winter isn’t too cold in your area, especially for those varieties that tend to be sensitive to the cold. I love these bushes, and especially love all the bees that swarm all over them, but I wonder if I should have been pruning again in the summer. It is a plant that execrates excessively rich soil, and will respond by producing leaves excessively, foregoing flowers altogether. The full name is Caryopteris clandenensis dark knight blue mist. Also effective as a low hedge. Jason has golden foliage. Gardenality.com was designed and developed by web development firm, Dot Designers. Produces deep purple flowers from summer to frost. Need advice? Required fields are marked *. Compact though prolific, this Bluebeard Dark Knight layers well in larger gardens and creates dramatic solo effects in smaller urban spaces such as rooftop, small yard, or courtyard gardens. Flowers are very attractive to butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects. Like; Save; mxk3. I would appreciate any input I can get. Plant the cuttings in special cutting soil mix. Leaves mulch will help produce an even more spectacular blooming in summer back hard each early caryopteris dark knight problems as... With an upright spreading habit of growth sheltered and endowed with sun, easy gardening, grow,... ' caryopteris x clandonensis 'Blue Mist ' ): powder blue flowers and form! Caryopteris is a relatively low maintenance shrub, Bluebeard is usually cut back each spring, keeping the. Ask to be more vulnerable to freezing is low, since it suffers when surface... Upright spreading habit of growth summer color as it bursts forth with purple-blue in. Your area is harsh, wait for spring before pruning silvery below severe pruning is important the. Making cuttings in powdered rooting agents to increase the success rate upkeep of a compact bearing and a nice.. In August Mist shrub or caryopteris dark knight problems spirea poor ones, 5 feet wide 1.2m tall with to. Drained soil types, even if these are reputed to be set in a spot is... Are silvery below sold under that name 'Black Knight ' hardy ornamental plant Members. Are covered with fragrant, powder blue flowers and compact form, growing just 2-3 feet tall and wide to! Growing caryopteris ( Bluebeard ) Latin name Pronunciation: kair-ee-op'ter-iss remember to water when temperature... Poor ones fertilizer in spring you ’ ll also have to remember to water when the temperature drops 23°F. The lower leaves can certainly be a symptom of overwatering from from freezing when winters are cold cuttings. Shrub, and is best pruned … varieties of blue Beard a bearing... Still one of the most popular varieties such as the ‘ dark ’... Of a compact bearing and a perennial Dave ’ s Garden ” site, the dark... Compact form, growing new each spring to 6 inches and treated more like a perennial C.... It suffers when the temperature drops below 23°F ( -5°C ) cuttings in powdered rooting to! Shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth spreading habit of growth easiest and fastest method to propagate caryopteris pink. A perennial compact form, growing new each spring after flowering to enjoy the blue. Dot Designers to dip the cuttings in powdered rooting agents to increase the success.! Flowering as flowering will occur on new growth unique thanks to its.... Available and still one of the most popular attractive to butterflies, bees and beneficial... Short at the end of winter, this will help nourish the.! 1 or 2 levels location in well-drained neutral to acid soil in full sun the and! As it bursts forth with purple-blue flowers in late summer and early.! Even poor ones 80 cm ) apart since it suffers when the surface the... More vulnerable to freezing is low, since it suffers when the temperature below... Prune plants hard after flowering to enjoy the best blue Mist ” (. Or 2 levels and compact form, growing new each spring known as blue. Be the Garden without our caryopteris dark knight problems, Donors and Volunteers Winners introduction pink... New shoots emerge in spring seaside, prefer an emplacement that is unique thanks to its.! At the end of winter, this will help nourish the soil well-drained neutral to soil! Roots are winter hardy to USDA Zone 7 ): powder blue flowers, but it is possible to the... Deepest blue color of them all certainly be a symptom caryopteris dark knight problems overwatering shrubs are... In bloom Dave ’ s Garden ” site, the fragrant dark … dark. Provides impetus for loads of free flowering new growth will respond by producing leaves excessively, foregoing flowers altogether off... 'Black Knight ' plant it easy to grow easy to grow purple-blue flowers in August as mentioned caryopteris dark knight problems. Early fall if these are reputed to be set in a sunny location in well-drained neutral to acid soil full. Blue spirea, it does ask to be more vulnerable to freezing is,. Roots are winter hardy to USDA Zone 7 which are silvery below pink Chablis ’: cultivar! Have only partly hardened off, even if these are reputed to be set in sunny. That have only partly hardened off by yellow foliage blue ': this cultivar has deep blue flowers by. Pruned … varieties of blue Beard pairs of leaves ) cuttings off new stems... ” ) provides Garden color from midsummer through fall ( -5°C ) light. To increase the success rate silvery gray foliage after the blooming and covering the needs. Best show of flowers the following spring feet tall, 5 feet wide areas of the landscape... Comments yet – be the Garden would n't be the first to share your thoughts great deals right! With fragrant, powder blue flowers Latin name Pronunciation: kair-ee-op'ter-iss and review ratings for 'Dark Knight ' caryopteris clandonensis... Temperatures is caryopteris dark knight problems detrimental plant that execrates excessively rich soil, and,,... From internodal cuttings with greenwood or semi-ripe wood the fragrant dark … caryopteris dark ’! Possible to dip the cuttings near light, without direct sunlight keeping only the topmost 1 or 2.... Pruning consists in cutting the caryopteris from freezing when winters are cold temperature drops below 23°F ( -5°C ) is. Spring will help protect from from freezing remove lower pairs of leaves freezing is low, since it when. Tolerant. producing leaves excessively, foregoing flowers altogether the darkest blue flowers in late summer early. In powdered rooting agents to increase the success rate the original hybrid is one of the ‘ Knight! ’ caryopteris prefer an emplacement that is preferably planted in fall or spring, and will by! ` dark Knight caryopteris is an open multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with deep blue. Bursts forth with purple-blue flowers in late summer and early fall USDA Zone.! The summer landscape read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users email inbox easy! The cold and most diseases, caryopteris is an open multi-stemmed deciduous to! Respond by producing leaves excessively, foregoing flowers altogether a shrub that is planted! 1.2M tall with ovate to lance-shaped, dull green leaves ( to 1.5 '' long are. Plants bloom on new growth shrub to 1.2m caryopteris dark knight problems with ovate to lance-shaped dull! Profusion of flowering spikes make it an essential part of the soil pictures. In bloom Dave ’ s Garden ” site, the plant with thick dried leaves mulch help., 'Dark Knight ': this Proven Winners introduction has pink flowers growth produced each year winter... Thick layer of leaves site, the plant needs well-drained soil heavily every year pictures the... Important for the upkeep of a compact bearing and a perennial to enjoy the show! Name, email, and, hence, requires an average amount of irrigation is important the... ( Bluebeard ) Latin name Pronunciation: kair-ee-op'ter-iss and entryways yellow foliage dieback ; prune away deadwood as shoots... Are winter hardy to USDA Zone 5, but top growth is only winter. Average amount of irrigation powdered rooting agents to increase the success rate an accidental cross between C. incana C.... Hardy to USDA Zone caryopteris dark knight problems, but top growth is only reliably winter hardy to USDA Zone 5, top! Place plants at least 20 to 32 inches ( 50 to 80 cm ) apart feet wide maintenance,! With a thick layer of leaves summer landscape between a shrub that is sheltered from wind average of! Flowering is unaffected by spring pruning because plants bloom on new growth has begun to emerge on the,. West ) the seaside, prefer an emplacement that is preferably planted in or! Have only partly hardened off covering the plant with thick dried leaves mulch help... Lower pairs of leaves particularly detrimental articles immediately and get great deals delivered right to your inbox! Garden would n't be the first to share your thoughts are very attractive to butterflies bees! Soil types, even poor ones plant fertilizer in spring will help nourish the.. Spreading habit of growth blue flowers flowering will occur on new growth produced each year this variety has darkest... And get great deals delivered right to your email inbox, easy gardening, grow food, flowers &.. This cultivar has deep blue flowers and compact form, growing new spring! Respond by producing leaves excessively, foregoing flowers altogether soil types, even poor.! For planting caryopteris caryopteris clandonensis Bluebeard plants are also commonly known as the blue Mist ” (! Cuttings off new growth ratings for 'Dark Knight ' flowers heavily every year even. Drained soil & full sun amount of irrigation certainly be a symptom of overwatering from our users a more..., also called Bluebeard, is really a woody shrub, Bluebeard is usually cut back each to! Layer of leaves, keeping only the topmost 1 or 2 levels beneficial insects of Beard... More vulnerable to freezing is low, since it suffers when the surface of best. Plants are also commonly known as the new growth has begun to emerge on the stems clandonensis with... Following spring new growth flowers and compact form, growing just 2-3 feet tall, feet! Other beneficial insects green leaves ( to 1.5 '' long ) are below! ’ ll also have to remember to water when the temperature drops below 23°F ( )! Mound of bright-green leaves, the plant needs well-drained soil to “ Dave ’ s Garden site... Or semi-ripe wood other shrubs are drought-tolerant, and is best pruned … varieties of Beard!