The Plant w/Flowers
The Flowers
Description
"Caryopteris x 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. 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. Flowers are very attractive to butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects. 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.
'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. Ovate to lance-shaped, dull green leaves (to 1.5" long) are silvery below. May be found sold under that name 'Black Knight'." (missouribotanicalgarden.org)
Internet Resources