Caryopteris Species, Autumn Blue Spiraea, Bluebeard, California Lilac

Caryopterisincana

Family
Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Caryopteris (kar-ee-OP-ter-iss)
Species
incana (in-KAN-nuh)
Synonym
Nepeta incana
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Deciduous
Herbaceous
Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Bloom Color
Dark Blue
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Shrubs
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Propagation Methods
From semi-hardwood cuttings
From hardwood cuttings
By simple layering
By air layering
Seed Collecting
Collect seedhead/pod when flowers fade; allow to dry
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Castro Valley, California

Davis, California

Richmond, California

San Anselmo, California

Santa Clara, California

Yorkville, Illinois

Frederick, Maryland

Averill Park, New York

Poughkeepsie, New York

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

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Gardener's Notes:

3
positives
1
neutral
0
negative
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S
Frederick, MD | September 2008 | positive

I've got four Caryopteris Chanodensis and they are beautiful in late summer when everything else starts to get brown and bedraggled. Thr...Read More

A
Yorkville, IL (Zone 5b) | December 2007 | positive

MY plant DID grow "TRUE" from SEED. I collected them from MY Plants before I moved and put them in the ground of my new home. That same y...Read More

P
(Zone 8b) | March 2005 | positive

This plant has unusual blue flowers and I have found it to be quite drought tolerant, even in LARGE tubs. pokerboy.

T
T
Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) | September 2001 | neutral

Parent to the more widely grown Caryopteris x clandonensis, a blue flowering shrub for zones 6 and warmer. In colder climates, it may be...Read More

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