Bluebeard Caryopteris × clandonensis 'Kew Blue'
ABOUT
The 'Kew Blue' is a striking plant known for its unique foliage and beautiful flowers. The leaves of this plant are lance-shaped with a slightly toothed margin and exhibit a grey to green color, which can add a subtle yet sophisticated contrast to the plant's surroundings. During the blooming season, the 'Kew Blue' truly comes into its own, boasting a profusion of vivid blue flowers. These blossoms are small and tubular, typically arranged in whorls, creating an eye-catching display that can attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies to the garden. The flowers of the 'Kew Blue' are not only notable for their color but also for their longevity, as they can continue to provide visual interest from late summer into fall. Paired with its aromatic foliage, which can release a pleasant scent when touched or brushed against, the 'Kew Blue' is a sensory as well as a visual delight. Due to the combination of its flower color and pleasant fragrance, it can serve as a focal point in various garden settings or be used as an attractive border plant.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Lamiaceae
Synonyms
Bluebeard, Blue Spirea, Blue Mist, Kew Blue
Common names
Caryopteris × clandonensis 'Kew Blue'.
ToxicityTo humans
Bluebeard, commonly known as Caryopteris × clandonensis 'Kew Blue', is generally considered non-toxic to humans. There are no widely reported adverse effects from ingesting this plant or coming into contact with its foliage. However, as with any plant material, individual sensitivities can vary, and it is always advised to handle plants with care and not to ingest them unless they are known to be edible.
To pets
Bluebeard is the common name for Caryopteris × clandonensis 'Kew Blue'. This plant is generally recognized as non-toxic to pets. There are no common symptoms of poisoning associated with this plant since it is not considered dangerous for animals. Nonetheless, pet owners should always monitor their animals because individual reactions can differ, and it is prudent to prevent pets from consuming non-food plants as a standard precaution.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Blue
Height
3 feet [0.91 meters]
Spread
3 feet [0.91 meters]
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Caryopteris 'Kew Blue', commonly known as Bluebeard, is highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, thus supporting biodiversity.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it has good drought tolerance, making it suitable for xeriscaping or low-water gardens.
- Low Maintenance: Bluebeard requires minimal care, trimming, and is generally pest and disease-free, making it easy for gardeners to maintain.
- Compact Size: Its compact growth habit makes it suitable for small gardens, borders, and spaces where other shrubs might be too large.
- Decorative Blooms: The plant's vivid blue flowers add a splash of color to the garden from late summer to autumn when few other shrubs are in bloom.
- Aromatic Foliage: The leaves are aromatic when bruised, which can add a pleasant fragrance to the garden or when used in floral arrangements.
- Deer Resistant: The plant is generally deer resistant, making it a good option for gardens in areas with high deer populations.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- As a natural dye: The blue blossoms of Caryopteris 'Kew Blue', also known as Bluebeard, can be used to produce a natural dye for fabrics and textiles.
- Creating potpourri: The fragrant leaves and flowers can be dried and used in creating aromatic potpourri mixes to freshen indoor spaces.
- Insect repellent: Bluebeard can be planted in the garden to help repel certain insects due to its strong scent.
- Homemade fragrances: The flowers of Bluebeard can be infused into oils to create natural, homemade perfumes or colognes.
- Educational tool: Bluebeard can be used in botany and horticulture classes for plant identification and to teach pruning techniques due to its specific growth habits.
- Photography: With its striking blue flowers, Bluebeard can serve as an excellent subject for photographers who specialize in plant and garden imagery.
- Artistic inspiration: The unique color and form of this plant may serve as inspiration for artists, particularly in watercolor and botanical illustrations.
- Baking decoration: Edible flowers from Bluebeard can be used to decorate cakes and desserts for a natural and attractive garnish.
- Floral water: The flowers can be simmered in water to create a lightly fragranced floral water for use in bath or beauty routines.
- Theme gardens: Bluebeard can be included in color-themed gardens, particularly "blue" gardens, designed for visual impact and harmony.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Bluebeard is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Bluebeard is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Tranquility: The 'Kew Blue' cultivar of Caryopteris, commonly known as Bluebeard, often symbolizes tranquility due to its soothing blue-colored flowers.
- Hope: Bluebeard flowers can also signify hope, representing the optimism of a new beginning or a fresh start, as many plants flower at the end of summer or early fall.
- Harmony: The plant's ability to attract bees and butterflies suggests harmony with nature, making it a symbol of coexistence and ecological balance.
WaterFor Bluebeard 'Kew Blue', watering should be done deeply but infrequently to ensure strong root development. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week, whether from rainfall or manual watering. During hot or dry spells, increase watering to twice per week, providing about 0.5 gallons per plant each time. Overwatering can be detrimental, so ensure the soil dries out between watering sessions. In winter, reduce the amount of water significantly since the plant is dormant and requires much less moisture.
LightBluebeard 'Kew Blue' thrives in full sun, which means it needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. The ideal spot for planting Bluebeard is an area that receives unfiltered, direct light for most of the day to ensure vibrant flowering and healthy growth. If planted in partial shade, the plant may not bloom as profusely and its foliage might not be as robust.
TemperatureBluebeard 'Kew Blue' prefers temperate climates and does well in temperatures ranging from 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant can withstand minimum temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit but may suffer or die if exposed to colder extremes. Optimal growth and flowering occur within the ideal temperature range, so placing the plant in a location that avoids extreme heat or cold is beneficial.
PruningPrune Bluebeard 'Kew Blue' in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Pruning encourages bushier growth and more abundant blooms. Cut back the plant by about one-third to one-half of its size to maintain shape and remove any dead or woody stems. The best time for pruning is just as the plant emerges from dormancy, maximizing the growth potential for the upcoming season.
CleaningAs needed
SoilBluebeard 'Kew Blue' thrives in well-draining soil with added organic matter; a blend of garden soil, compost, and perlite or coarse sand is ideal. It prefers a soil pH of 6.0 to 7.5.
RepottingBluebeard 'Kew Blue' should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it has outgrown its current container. Ensure to prune the roots lightly during repotting.
Humidity & MistingBluebeard 'Kew Blue' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels but prefers moderate conditions, avoiding both excessively dry and overly humid environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Bluebeard 'Kew Blue' in a sunny spot with good airflow.
Outdoor
Plant Bluebeard 'Kew Blue' in full sun with well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleCaryopteris × clandonensis 'Kew Blue', commonly known as 'Kew Blue' Bluebeard, begins its life cycle when the seeds germinate in the spring, provided that they are sown in a warm and well-drained medium. Seedlings develop into young plants with a characteristic woody base and herbaceous growth, which mature and start to form true leaves and branches. By late spring to early summer, the plant enters its vegetative stage, focusing on leaf and stem growth, preparing for flowering. Flowering occurs in late summer to early fall, with 'Kew Blue' producing whorls of deep blue to violet flowers attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. After pollination, if it occurs, the plant may produce small, inconspicuous fruits containing seeds. As winter approaches, the plant enters dormancy, dying back to the woody base, to begin the cycle again the following spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Late spring
Caryopteris × clandonensis 'Kew Blue', commonly known as Bluebeard 'Kew Blue', is best propagated in the spring or early summer. The most popular method of propagation for this plant is taking softwood cuttings. This involves snipping off a 4 to 6-inch (10 to 15 cm) length of stem that is not yet firm and mature, making sure each cutting has at least two or three sets of leaves. The cut end is then dipped in rooting hormone powder to enhance root development. Next, the treated cutting is inserted into a pot filled with a well-draining potting mix, ensuring that the lower leaf nodes are buried beneath the soil surface. It’s important to maintain consistent moisture and warmth, without saturating the soil, to encourage rooting. The pot should be placed in indirect light until the cutting has rooted, which usually takes a few weeks. After this period, the new Bluebeard plants can be transplanted to a more permanent location.
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