Caryopteris, Bluebeard, Blue Mist Spirea 'First Choice'

This shrub is very easy, hardy and trouble-free. I couldn't keep 'Dark Knight' through the winter, in my soggy Seattle clay, but this one...Read More thrives, even if I don't water for over a month in summer. No pests, it never wilts. It would get much larger than it says. I cut them back very hard to about 6 inches in early spring, they get to be about 3 1/2 feet tall and wide, in a big blue ball shape. The bees go nuts when it blooms late summer-fall.

I just bought three of these plants and have not put them into the ground yet. I can positively say one thing right now however. ..These ...Read Moreplants are 'Bee' magnets. It's really kind of fascinating. They are pretty but their fragrance is not very strong at all, yet the bees love them! ..If you have a veggie garden ..or want to ensure pollination for any reason ..then acquire one or more of these. (It's my understanding that they produce viable seed ..so you can grow more that way, if you're in no hurry.)

Caryopteris clandonensis 'First Choice' BLUE MIST SHRUB Dec (z5) (Cut,Hon,Bfly)
New from England where renowned breeder Peter Catt...Read More selected it for its early bloom, its excellent compact rounded 2-4'habit, AND it deeeep rich blue flower color...enjoy! Sun/Med PPAF

I have two clearance shrubs purchased for a dollar, planted in late summer in full sun. The bigger shrub is already blooming and I see b...Read Moreuds on the smaller one. They are pretty bushes and I have not seen any growing in our zone 8.