In a class by itself among Caryopteris, the Blue Empire Blue Beard, also known as Blue Mist Shrub, is an exceptionally vigorous and enormous selection that reaches 5 to 6 feet tall and 6 to 7 feet wide in our gardens here in north-central Georgia. It is a hardy perennial flowering shrub with a unique flowering habit, displaying abundant, large, pom pom-like clusters of pretty, violet-blue flowers arranged in tall, sturdy, pagoda-shaped towers at the ends of nearly every stem on the plant. The long-lasting flowers appear in our gardens from mid- or late summer through mid-fall, August to October.  The flower stems are excellent for cutting and displaying in floral arrangements. Both you and your butterflies and beneficial pollinators will enjoy this one, but the deer and rabbits turn their noses up at it.

Growing up to 6 feet tall and 7 feet wide, the Blue Empire Caryopteris is ideal as an accent, in groupings, or as a low hedge to add soothing color and texture in landscape borders and perennial gardens. It is a fine addition to butterfly and hummingbird gardens, beneficial pollinator gardens, cut flower gardens, cottage gardens, fragrance gardens, blue theme gardens, and xeric gardens (low water needs).

Suggested Spacing:  4-5' for solid hedges or mass plantings; 8' or more for space between

Caryopteris is easy to grow in moist, well-drained soils with average fertility and six or more hours of sunlight daily. Once established, it has high drought tolerance. Constantly soggy or wet soils can be problematic. It flowers on new growth, so it is best pruned if necessary in late winter or early spring. This will create more new growth, resulting in more flowers during the bloom season. 

Note: You can find helpful advice under the Planting & Care tab above on desktop computer monitors or below on mobile devices.

Questions? Contact Us!