Blue beard, Blue-spirea, Blue-mist shrub (Caryopteris × clandonensis) kare-ee-OP-ter-iss ex klan-don-EN-sis Genus:  Caryopteris

These plants can take worst of the a hot summer (heat, lack of water, and humidity) and still manage to perform well. They generally live four to five years before they need replacing, but during that time, they offer dependable foliage and pretty blue flowers from mid- to late summer. Blue-mist shrubs form low-growing, finely-textured mounds and are deer-resistant.

Noteworthy Characteristics: 

Relatively drought tolerant and very heat tolerant.

Care: 

Blue-mist shrub likes full sun to part shade and very well-drained soil that is not overly rich. Cut back in late winter for a strong, dense shrub in summer.

Propagation: 

Separate rooted stems from parent plant and transplant in early spring. Also from softwood cuttings.

Problems: 

Infrequent. Capsid bugs may affect leaves. May need to be hard pruned in spring in areas with severe winters.

Overview

Height 1 ft. to 3 ft. Spread 3 ft. to 6 ft. Growth Habit Clumps Growth Pace Fast Grower Light Full Sun Only Moisture Dry to Medium Maintenance Low Characteristics Attracts Bees, Attracts Hummingbirds Bloom Time Summer Flower Color Blue Uses Beds and Borders Seasonal Interest Summer Interest Tolerance Deer Tolerant Type Shrubs