Tuesday, September 22, 2009

September Blooms: A Series of Surprises - Featured Plant #2: Bluebeard

It was earlier in the summer when I discovered Bluebeard, attracted by its claim of late summer/early autumn blooms. When I put 4 of these plants in my garden (yes, I actually planted these--they didn't just 'show up'--*See my last post on Bugbane!) I didn't have a clue just how much of a treat was in store for me. But I really have been pleasantly surprised with my new found plant!



Bluebeard (Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Longwood Blue') is a woody perennial and reminds me a lot of Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)...as it's sky-blue flowers bloom on arching stems and it's silvery-gray foliage is attractive to butterflies and bees. The flowers are unique, sporting little blue 'beards'! The plants (shrubs!) will grow up to 4 ft. in height and, while they prefer full sun, mine are doing fine in dappled shade, in between my crepe myrtles and carpet rose bushes. I planted them in the garden that runs along the side of my driveway. They look so cheery right now, as the summer is dying down.

Next year I may need to move them to allow more space between them and the other plants...but for now, they have found a home right where they are. If I don't eventually move them, I will at least plan to cut the plants back to about 6 in. in height, which should encourage more branching and 'fullness'.

Oh, and did I mention they are not only aromatic, but deer-resistant as well!! My front yard is a deer magnet (and my many phlox probably just serve to encourage them to come!). I just love it when I find plants that are both deer resistant AND gorgeous! If you live in the right zone for Bluebeard, you really should give it a try!

Stay tuned for September Surprise #3, coming shortly!

--Today I am thankful for bushes with blue blooms;-)



Words and photos by Jan Huston DobleThanks For 2 Day.

27 comments:

  1. What a gorgeous blue! I have looked at a few caryopteris-- lots of fun cultivars.

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  2. I love Bluebeard too. 'Longwood Blue' and 'Dark Knight' make an especially nice combination.

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  3. That is a wonderful plant!
    I have tryed it here but It dont make it throue the winter :o(!
    LInda

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  4. Lovely Jan, three good things in one plant, beautiful, aromatic and deer-resistant! Bluebeard got to put it up on my wishing list.

    Tyra

    TYRA'S GARDEN, Boost up your immune system

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  5. Dear Jan .. can you believe I don't have this plant ? That blue is so pretty and I love having a plant with the blue gray foliage .. they really do stand up to drought conditions !
    Thanks for reminding me : )
    Joy

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  6. How lucky are you to have 4 Bluebeards growing in your yard? They're pretty. I like them a lot. I know the deer have to eat but, gee whiz, they eat so many of the pretty plants. Nice that they don't care for the Bluebeards.

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  7. Caryopteris is one of my fall favorites. They propagate very easily by sticking a piece of stem (2 nodes) in rooting medium. You don't even need rooting hormone to make more. Great for fall color!

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  8. Deer, deer in your garden!!! Wow.
    I love this shade of blue, so vibrant but unfortunately I have an intense HATRED for anything that is discribed as being like Buddleia. Enjoy and I look forward to part 3

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  9. That's a really nice plant. Every year I'm surprised of the beauty!The grow rather fast and are almost wider than they are high after a few years / gittan

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  10. Hi Jan, I've seen similar clue Caryopterises, and am always shocked they're the spirea genus, as they don't look like what I think of as spirea. I haven't seen as vibrant a blue as the wonderful Longwood--they are indeed a treasure! And glad to hear they like dappled shade, as I have a lot of that.

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  11. Hi Jan,
    Vibrant blue, so sought after! I don't have many blue things in my garden. Except bluebirds.
    Rosey

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  12. Wonderful new found plant!
    Love blue !
    It's great that you have a 4 season garden.
    I think mine is 2 and a half seasons. ha

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  13. Blue flowers are always sweet and lovely and they are rare too. ~bangchik

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  14. I love the smell of caryopteris, and that one of yours is so pretty. I haven't had one in my garden for years,and now I don't have any space, so I think I will put one on the allotment, you have me hankering for one now.

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  15. I'm so glad to hear that Caryopteris is deer resistant. I should have noticed that. I planted one for the first time this year and, yes, the deer haven't bothered it. It's just now that you've mentioned it, that I realized that. Thanks!

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  16. Yes, these are great! I've had one for years but only recently realized what a nice smell they have. I bet they look great where you've planted them.

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  17. Thanks for introducing this one! I never heard of it before and it's beautiful! I will put it on my wishlist:)

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  18. The blue is so beautiful. I wonder if they grow in New Zealand.

    Found some blue bells and foget me nots. Blue is just different.

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  19. We mixed these with a bunch of regular Knock Out roses in a display at work. The combination of the cherry red and that blue really look good together. I had one of the gold leaf forms of this plant, but only liked it in the spring. The foliage color was off once the heat got here.

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  20. I just love the blue plants and this one is so pretty I've tried growing it here two times-both times were failures:( Glad it works in your garden.

    P.S. Yes, I think snakeroot and bugbane are the same-a lovely plant.

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  21. I didn't realize Blue Beard was deer resistant, might have to give it a try. That's a lovely photo collage. Hope you're doing well!

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  22. I just had to stop in and say, your photos are breathtaking! I love how you use the bright green background; it makes the colors of your flowers really pop out. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. :)

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  23. What beautiful blue blooms. I love it.

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  24. Another beauty! Can't wait to see what surprise #3 will be!

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  25. jan this is really lovely flower. How sad that i do not have this plant in my small garden. Thanks for sharing with us.

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  26. This is a beauty! And I'm a fan of anything with blue blooms. I'll definitely consider this one when I plant some more shrubs.

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  27. That's a really pretty blue. I'll have to add 'Longwood Blue' to my shopping list for next year. I've got a nice full sun spot that needs that kind of color...

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Thanks so much for visiting and taking the time to comment! Please enjoy your TODAY and all of the gifts in YOUR garden of life!

Jan

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