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photo of Tim Wood

Meet the Breeder

Tim Wood
Grand Haven, MI, USA

LIL’ MISS SUNSHINE®

Bluebeard

Caryopteris x clandonensis

'Janice'

PP#22,160

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Bright yellow foliage and blue flowers of Lil Miss Sunshine Caryopteris "} Lil Miss Sunshine Caryopteris in landscape Close up of lime green foliage and blue flowers of Lil Miss Sunshine Caryopteris Lil Miss Sunshine Caryopteris with fall hydrangeas in landscape YouTube video describing the plant shown on this page
  • Colorful foliage
  • Very floriferous
  • Sun loving
Description

Compact habit! Lil' Miss Sunshine® caryopteris delivers bright yellow foliage all summer long, and has a neat, compact habit. Abundant blue flowers appear in late summer. Also known as blue mist spirea, despite the fact that it is not remotely related to Spiraea.

Awards
Silver Medal, Plantarium 2010
USDA Zone
5 - 9 (-20°F/-28.9°C)
Exposure
Full sun
Height
2.5 - 3'
Width
2.5 - 3'
Finish Time
.5 season
Type
Deciduous
Bloom Time
Late summer - fall
Flower Color
Blue
Foliage Color
Yellow
Liner Sizes
2 1/4", 4", Quick Turn

Soil

Good drainage is essential. The combination of wet soil and cold temperatures is particularly detrimental.

Pruning

Caryopteris should be cut back hard each early spring, as soon as the new growth has begun to emerge on the stems.

Uses

Caryopteris brings color and late-season interest to any sunny spot in the landscape, and is especially well suited to perennial gardens, pollinator plantings, and edging.

Growing Tips

Caryopteris requires sunny sites and well-drained, even dry, soils. It should be treated much like buddleia in terms of pruning and siting.

  • Benchcard: Lil’ Miss Sunshine® Caryopteris benchcard
  • Spec Sheet: Lil’ Miss Sunshine® Caryopteris spec sheet
  • Grower Sheet: Lil’ Miss Sunshine® Caryopteris grower sheet
  • Tag: Lil’ Miss Sunshine® Caryopteris

    • Features: Fall interest, Drought tolerant, Deer resistant, Foliage interest, Compact, Attracts pollinators, Award winner, Heat tolerant

    Filters: Botanical genus: Caryopteris, Common name: Bluebeard, Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, USDA Zone 9, Exposure: Full sun, Bloom time: Summer, Blue flowers, Yellow foliage

    Features: Fall interest, Drought tolerant, Deer resistant, Foliage interest, Compact, Attracts pollinators, Award winner, Heat tolerant

    Filters: Botanical genus: Caryopteris, Common name: Bluebeard, Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, USDA Zone 9, Exposure: Full sun, Bloom time: Summer, Blue flowers, Yellow foliage