Featured Plant of The Day: 'Blue Knoll' Blue Mist Spirea

Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Blue Knoll' 

Blue Mist Spirea,  Bluebeard

Type    Shrub, woody plant
Hardy range    6A to 9B
Height    24" to 36" / 60cm to 90cm
Spread    24" to 36" / 60cm to 90cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Rounded
Exposure    Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence    Deciduous

Bloom Color    Blue
Bloom Time    Summer and Fall

The flowers are showy.

Environment
This plant tolerates some drought.
This plant will grow in dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color    Green and silvery
Fall Color    No change in fall color

Landscape Uses
-    Container plantings
-    Alpine garden
-    Rock garden
-    Border
-    Massing
-    Groundcover

Culture Notes
Caryopteris is grown for its attractive, fragrant foliage and flowers.  Blooms appear on current year's growth and appear from late summer through early autumn.  Place in full sun for best flowering. Plant dies back and can be treated as a perennial.  Plants attract an assortment of pollinators.  The bumblebee seems to prefer the blossom.   Plants also serve as butterfly nectar sources.  Prune away flower heads after they are spent to avoid seeding.  This will also help in the vigor of the shrub.  Avoid planting in heavy wet soils. This plant is considered mostly allergy free and causes little or no allergy problems in most people.