Meet the Breeder
Tim Wood
Grand Haven, MI, USA
SUNSHINE BLUE® II
Bluebeard
Caryopteris incana
'SMNCVH'
USPP 28,093; CBRAF
- Improved hardiness
- Colorful foliage
- Blue flowers
Improved yellow-leaf caryopteris. Sunshine Blue® II caryopteris is a new, improved cultivar. It replaces the original Sunshine Blue® caryopteris as it has proven in our trials to be brighter, hardier, and more adaptable. Vivid yellow foliage holds up to the heat of summer and offers bold, beautiful contrast when blue flowers begin to appear in late summer. Also known as blue mist spirea, despite the fact that it is not remotely related to Spiraea.
USDA Zone 5 - 9 (-20°F/-28.9°C)
Exposure Full sun
Height 3'
Width 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
General Care
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.
Features: Attracts pollinators, Foliage interest, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall interest, 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: Attracts pollinators, Foliage interest, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall interest, 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