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Caryopteris × clandonensis 'First Choice' (Blue beard, Blue-mist shrub)

Caryopteris × clandonensis 'First Choice' Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Park Seed


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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Caryopteris × clandonensis 'First Choice' kare-ee-OP-ter-iss ex klan-don-EN-sis Common Name: Blue beard, Blue-mist shrub Genus: Caryopteris
'First Choice' is ideal for a mixed or shrub border. It's an attractive woody shrub with dark green leaves, dark purplish blue flowers, and a compact habit. Misty blue flowers appear in late summer and early autumn.This plant is relatively drought tolerant and very heat tolerant. The shrub expands as branches that touch the ground form their own roots and may self-seed.
 Care: Grow in well-drained soil that is not overly rich. Trim back in spring to keep rounded clump form. Cut back to 3-inch stems in late winter to promote vigorous branching growth. May need to be hard pruned in spring in areas with severe winters.
 Propagation: Separate rooted stems from parent plant and transplant in early spring. Root softwood cuttings in late spring, or greenwood cuttings in early summer.
 Problems: Infrequent. Capsid bugs may affect leaves.
Height 3 ft. to 6 ft.
Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Growth Habit Spreads
Growth Pace Fast Grower
Light Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture Adaptable
Maintenance Low
Characteristics Attracts Butterflies; Fragrant Flowers; Fragrant Foliage; Showy Flowers; Showy Foliage
Bloom Time Fall; Late Summer; Summer
Flower Color Blue Flower
Uses Beds and Borders
Seasonal Interest Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type Shrubs

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