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CARYOPTERIS x clandonensis 'Worcester Gold'

Image of Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Worcester Gold'

Gerald L. Klingaman

Family

Verbenaceae

Botanical Name

CARYOPTERIS x clandonensis 'Worcester Gold'

Plant Common Name

Blue Mist Shrub, Blue Spirea, Bluebeard, Worchester Gold Bluebeard

General Description

The popular golden-leaved bluebeard 'Worcester Gold' offers lovely soft violet-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.

The deciduous shrub has a uniform mounding, rounded habit and becomes covered with many small golden to chartreuse toothed leaves that have a minty scent if crushed. In the fall, the leafy stems become lined with many dense colorful whorls of flowers. These are soft violet-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

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    5 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    2'-4' / 0.6m - 1.2m

  • Width

    2'-4' / 0.6m - 1.2m

  • Bloom Time

    Late Summer, Early Fall

  • Native To

    Hybrid Origin

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam

  • Tolerances

    Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Cushion/Mound-forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Light Blue, Blue Violet

  • Fruit Color

    Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Chartreuse, Gold

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Chartreuse, Gold

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Chartreuse, Yellow Green

  • Bark Color

    Sandy Brown

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    Yes

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    Yes

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Fine

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes