'Sunshine Blue' Bluebeard

Sunshine Blue is the trade name for the Caryopteris incana selection ‘Jason’, a compact deciduous shrub with yellow-green foliage and blue flowers. The Canadian variety record identifies ‘Jason’ as the denomination and Sunshine Blue as its trade name; the breeder describes the plant’s golden leaves and late-summer to autumn flowers. ## Form and flowering The breeder reports that Peter Champion found this yellow-leaved sport at his nursery and that it attracts bees and other pollinators. The [Canadian Food Inspection Agency record](https://active.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/pbrpov/cropreport/blueb/app00004532e.shtml) documents the upright, bushy selection, while the [RHS profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/189894/caryopteris-incana-sunshine-blue/details) describes a 0.5–1 m shrub with blue late-summer and autumn flowers. The record’s 30–36 inch height and width remain compatible with the rounded 0.9 m measurements. ## Siting Choose full sun and well-drained soil. Its yellow-green leaves contrast with the late-season flowers in a mixed border, gravel garden, or container; leave room for a rounded shrub. ## Mature size RHS gives an approximate mature height and spread range of 0.5–1 m. A Canadian container trial recorded younger plants at about 39 cm tall, so size varies with age and growing conditions. ## Maintenance Water while the plant establishes. The [breeder’s growing notes](https://www.championplants.co.uk/products/caryopteris-sunshine-blue) describe it as drought tolerant once established and recommend cutting it back in early spring to encourage fresh growth.