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photo of Tim Wood

Meet the Breeder

Tim Wood
Grand Haven, MI, USA

SUNSHINE BLUE® II

Bluebeard

Caryopteris incana

'SMNCVH'

USPP 28,093; CBRAF

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Yellow foliage and blue flowers on Sunshine Blue II Caryopteris Sunshine Blue II Caryopteris in landscape Sunshine Blue II Caryopteris with bright golden foliage Close up of yellow foliage of Sunshine Blue II Caryopteris
  • Improved hardiness
  • Colorful foliage
  • Blue flowers
Description

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

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.

  • Tag: Sunshine Blue® II Caryopteris
  • Grower Sheet: Sunshine Blue® II Caryopteris grower sheet
  • Spec Sheet: Sunshine Blue® II Caryopteris spec sheet
  • Benchcard: Sunshine Blue® II Caryopteris benchcard

    • 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