Caryopteris × clandonensis 'Longwood Blue' (Bluebeard)

Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Longwood Blue' is a hybrid cultivar of bluebeard, also called blue mist shrub or blue spiraea, a compact rounded shrub popular in home landscapes and among pollinators; the 'Longwood Blue' cultivar was developed at and named for Longwood Gardens in southeastern Pennsylvania. A popular cross of two popular east Asian species, Caryopteris incana and Caryopteris mongholica, this hybrid bluebeard typically only grows to about 2-3' tall and wide. The 'Longwood Blue' cultivar, on the other hand, is a slightly larger cultivar, growing to 2-4' tall and wide and producing produces beautiful, fragrant, silvery or blue-tinted green foliage from spring to fall. From late summer into the fall, 'Blue Empire' also produces a profusion of large bunches of rich dark blue flowers that are an excellent treat for late season pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds.

Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Longwood Blue' grows best in full sun locations with well-drained, medium to dry soils. Once established, 'Longwood Blue' can become somewhat drought dependent, making it a versatile and relatively hardy plant for pollinator gardens, low borders or hedges, and foundation plantings. Thanks to its fragrant foliage and low-growing behavior, 'Longwood Blue' bluebeard is also deer and rabbit resistant and especially low-maintenance over time. Though not native to the US, Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Longwood Blue' presents no risk of becoming invasive over time, and is actually a suitable replacement for more invasive ornamentals like bush clover (Lespedeza thunbergii).