Caryopteris x clandonensis ‘Dark Knight’

bluebeard

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Outstanding Qualities

Caryopteris x clandonensis ‘Dark Night’ is a wonderful blooming surprise at the end of summer, a time when few flowering shrubs are in such glory. An improvement over most bluebeards, ‘Dark Night’ has a tidy upright habit and is more densely branched than other species with superior deep purplish-blue flowers in tufts along the stem. The dark green foliage is the perfect foil for late season flowers that hummingbirds find quite attractive. This soft rounded shrub is excellent for mixing into the perennial border. Bluebeard can be slow to leaf out in the spring which makes it a great companion for taller spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils.

Quick Facts

Plant Type: shrub

Foliage Type: deciduous

Plant Height (10-year): 4 ft. 0 in. (1.22 meters)

Plant Width/Spread (10-year): 4 ft. 0 in. (1.22 meters)

Plant Height-Mature: 4 ft. 0 in. (1.22 meters)

Plant Width-Mature: 4 ft. 0 in. (1.22 meters)

Hardiness: USDA Zones 6 to 9

Flower Color: purple

Flowering Time: summer-fall

Sun/Light Exposure: full sun

Water Requirements: occasional watering

Seasonal Interest: summer-fall flowers

Wildlife Associations: bees, butterflies, hummingbirds

Resistant to: deer

Colors & Combos

Great Plant Combinations:

Great Color Contrasts: silver, variegated, orange

Great Color Partners: lavender, rose, purple

Culture Notes

The key to successful culture is well-drained soil and a spot in full sun. Most losses come from the roots receiving too much water during our rainy winters or planting it in too much shade. Fortunately, once established, this bluebeard only needs occasional watering during prolonged dry weather. These shrubs should be pruned in late winter to about 8 to 12 inches tall. This will encourage strong new growth which flowers best in late summer.