Cait's Garden

I’ve talked a great deal about finding those late summer gems that give us something to look forward to when all our other plants have given up for the season. I’ve saved one of my favorites until now, because it is only just opening now. The proper name for this shrub is Caryopteris, but it is commonly known as the Blue Mist or Bluebeard shrub. Most commonly found with a delicate, silvery green leaf, this medium-sized shrub gives deep periwinkle blue flowers in late August through September. I fell in love with this shrub due to its nickname, Blue Mist, which I found highly romantic. I adore the color of the flowers, too. (Periwinkle was my favorite crayon as a child.) Recently, a cultivar called “Sunshine Blue” [shown here] was released. I bought my little twig through Bluestone Perennials mail-order a couple of years ago (although it can now be found in garden centers) and it is now a robust 4-foot round shrub. Sunshine Blue boasts bright lemon-green leaves all season long, which give it great appeal even when it isn’t blooming…which, let’s face it, is most of the season! Original Blue Mists are nice too, with their silvery leaves. I have a common variety called “Dark Knight” which is gorgeous. It depends on your foliage color needs in a particular spot. Blue Mists can be fussy after a harsh winter, although I’ve found that to be true more often with the original silvery-hued leaf versions, like Dark Knight, than with Sunshine Blue. It is not uncommon to have to clip back a few dead branches in Spring. This shrub, like Buddleia, is also very late to leaf out in the spring, so be patient and wait to trim until it’s been leafing out for a while. If you get a Blue Mist in a spot it likes, you can expect years of enjoyment. They seem to like a spot not too wet and not too dry, with full sun and some winter wind protection. Just don’t pick a spot too near your walkway as the bees LOVE this plant even more than I do.