Caryopteris × clandonensis Blue Empire ('Elst33'PBR)

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bluebeard [Blue Empire]

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bluebeard [Blue Empire] visionspictures.com
bluebeard [Blue Empire] visionspictures.com

Other common names

blue spirea [Blue Empire]

Synonyms

Caryopteris × clandonensis 'Elst33'PBR

Plants for pollinators
Shrubs
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A deciduous shrub to around 1m high, with a compact, bushy habit and narrow, grey-green leaves. Fluffy clusters of deep blue flowers with prominent stamens are produced from the upper leaf axils and tips of the stems in late summer and early autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Caryopteris can be deciduous shrubs or perennials, with aromatic, simple leaves and small blue or white flowers in compact axillary clusters in late summer and autumn
Name Status
Trade

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny sheltered spot; ideal against a sunny wall. Some drought tolerance once established. Will not tolerate wet, poorly drained soil

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings from spring to mid-summer, semi-ripe cuttings from mid- to late summer or hardwood cuttings from late autumn to mid-winter. As this plant is protected by Plant Breeders' Rights, any propagation should be for personal rather than commercial use

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Gravel garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Flowers on new growth so can be cut back hard in spring, see pruning group 6

Pests

May be susceptible to capsid bug

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus