Russell Stafford
Family
Verbenaceae
Botanical Name
CARYOPTERIS x clandonensis 'Summer Sorbet'
Plant Common Name
Blue Mist Shrub, Blue Spirea, Bluebeard, Summer Sorbet Bluebeard
General Description
The terrific variegated bluebeard 'Summer Sorbet' offers light blue flowers in late summer to fall. This vigorous small flowering shrub is as tough and drought tolerant as it is pretty. The hybrid originates from a cross between the two Asian species Caryopteris incana and C. mongholica and was derived from a mutation of the popular cultivar ‘Kew Blue.’
The deciduous shrub has a mounding, rounded habit and becomes covered with many small green leaves edged in yellow, which have a minty scent if crushed. In the fall, the leafy stems become lined with many dense colorful whorls of flowers. These are pale blue, draw pollinators in masses and are sweetly scented. The fruits are small, winged and have seeds that will readily sprout in the garden.
Plant bluebeard in sites with full to partial sun and average soil with good drainage. It is root-hardy to USDA Zone 5 where it will resprout from the ground in the spring. In warmer areas, it should be hard-pruned low to the ground after flowering to keep next year's growth compact and neat. It makes a nice accent plant in the mixed border and looks great planted in rows as a low ornamental summer hedge.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 9
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Sunset Zone
2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
2'-4' / 0.6m - 1.2m
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Width
2'-4' / 0.6m - 1.2m
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Bloom Time
Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall
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Native To
Hybrid Origin
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant
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Habit
Cushion/Mound-forming
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Seasonal Interest
Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Light Blue
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Fruit Color
Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Light Yellow
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Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier
Variegated
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Light Yellow
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Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier
Variegated
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Light Yellow
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Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier
Variegated
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Bark Color
Sandy Brown
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
Yes
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
Yes
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
