Woody > Caryopteris > Caryopteris x clandonensis > Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight'
Caryopteris x clandonensis
'Dark Knight'
Dark Knight Bluebeard, Dark Knight Blue Spirea, Dark Knight Blue-Mist Shrub
Mike's
Opinion
"
Caryopteris x clandonensis ‘Dark Knight’ is a low growing shrub commonly used in grouping, massing and as a border shrub, but is uncommonly used as a ground cover or small informal hedge. Bluebeard flowers with an exhilarating deep blue to purple in a cyme arrangement in a whorled pattern with both scented flowers and leaves. It is drought tolerant as well as pH adaptable and slightly urban tolerant but is intolerant to poorly drained soil conditions. Though Bluebeard is a slow growing shrub it benefits from being pruned back during early spring or late autumn to allow for new vigorous growth to develop. The flowering period will not be affected due to pruning because flowering will then take place on new growth.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Lamiaceae (Verbanaceae) |
| Genus |
| Caryopteris |
| Species |
| x clandonensis |
| Cultivar |
| 'Dark Knight' |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Shrub (deciduous) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 5 - 8 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 6 - 9 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -18 - (-23) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| 0 to (-10) |
| Height |
| 150 cm |
| Spread |
| 90 cm |
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| A low maintenance, low growing shrub with both fragrant leaves and flowers. Bluebeard flowers between the months of July to September. |
| Landscape |
| Low growing shrub used in massing, grouping or as a border. Uncommonly used as a ground cover or small informal hedge. |
| Cultivation |
| Grows well in full sun, well drained to moist soils in a variety of soil types. PH adaptable and somewhat urban tolerant. Should be planted at least a meter apart, and the soil should be allowed to dry between watering. |
| Shape |
| Low grown mounded shrub. |
| Growth |
| Slow |
| ID Characteristic |
| Dark blue flower, dull green leaves with a silver underside. Fragrant flowers and leaves when crushed. |
| Pests |
| Pest and disease resistant. Poor drainage may result in the rotting of the root crown. |
| Habitat |
| Hortiticultural origin. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Deep green that is dull in colour but has a smooth thin outer bark. Scented. |
| Leaf Description |
| Ovate to lance shaped simple leaf with opposite arrangement. 10 cm in length. Dull green with a silver underside. Scented. |
| Flower Description |
| Deep blue to purple coloured flowers on the terminal and axillary cyme arranged in a whorled pattern. |
| Colour Description |
| Dark blue to purple flower. Dull green with silver underside leaf. Deep green bark. |
| Texture Description |
| No change between seasons. Medium leaf with fine stems. |
| Notable Specimens |
| Missouri Botanical Garden, St.Louis, Missouri., USA |
| Propagation |
| Stem cutting collected from desirable plant containing an apex or node capable of rooting should be treated with a rooting solution. Place into a container of well composed soil and apply a complete fertilizer with a high level of nitrogen. |
References
Dolezal, Robert J. The Complete Guide to Choosing Landscape Plants. Minnesota: Creative Publishing International Inc., 2002. Print.
Better Homes and Gardens. Perennial Gardening. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons Inc., 2010. Print.
top