Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: Caryopteris/AKA Blue Spirea, Blue-mist, 1 by

wrote:
Cottage~ There are 3 caryopteris in the upper back with the blue blooms between the marigolds' blooms . This is their 2nd year in this garden. They are easy to grow in zone 5b. The caroypteris is slow to emerge in very late Spring to early Summer, once green growth emerges prune the woody stems down to ground level. Quick growth will follow with gorgeous blue blooms and wispy foliage till killing frost. Let the shrub go dormant and provide winter interest, it is important not to prune till after the shrub emerges, so be patient! I plant many perennials and annuals near the shrubs to disguise the dead woody stems with blooms. I hope you'll enjoy them as much as I do in my gardens. ;0)

This message was edited Jan 30, 2008 8:27 AM