Description
Caryopteris –
There are about 6 species of aromatic, deciduous, erect shrubs and woody perennials, in this genus. They occur in a variety of habitats, including dry, hot, slopes, and woodland, in Eastern Asia, from the Himalayas to Japan. They have grayish, opposite, simple, smooth to toothed edged leaves and small, usually blue, but sometimes mauve or white flowers, held in terminal or axillary panicles or cymes. Grown for their attractive, aromatic foliage and flowers, which are borne from late summer to autumn on current years shoots, they are ideal for a mixed or shrub border.
Grow in moderately fertile, light, well drained soil in full sun or light shade. Prune in winter or early spring.
Prone to capsid bugs.
C. incana – C. mastacanthus – Bluebeard – This evergreen dense, mound forming shrub, treated as a perennial from China and Japan grows 4-5′ feet tall and 5′ feet wide. It produces aromatic, ovate, soft gray-green leaves, to 3″ long, pointed and sharply toothed. In late summer and autumn it bears bright powder blue occasionally white flowers, to 3/8″ across, carried in rounded cymes.
Zones 6-10
