First Choice Bluebeard

First Choice is a compact Caryopteris × clandonensis cultivar with deep lilac-blue flowers and grey-green foliage. U.S. Plant Patent 11,958 identifies the cultivar and records flowers from early August through late September in Maryland; the RHS describes vivid blue flowers opening from indigo buds in late summer. ## Form and flowering The patent describes a bushy, compact plant and measured two-year-old plants at 76 cm tall and 91 cm wide. The [RHS profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/102023/caryopteris-%C3%97-clandonensis-first-choice/details) describes the exact cultivar as a compact deciduous shrub with full-sun exposure. These exact selection references support the existing 0.8 m points and the 24–36 inch labels, converted from the prior 2–3 ft display. ## Siting Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. The [patent record](https://patents.google.com/patent/USPP11958P2/en) notes that its Maryland flowering observations vary by climate; its long, late-season bloom fits a sunny border or small shrub planting. ## Mature size The patent records 76 cm height and 91 cm width for two-year-old plants, while RHS gives mature ranges of 0.5–1 m tall and 1–1.5 m wide. The current catalog’s 0.8 m dimensions fall within the patent’s young-plant measurements and are retained. ## Maintenance Caryopteris flowers on new growth. Maintain it using local spring pruning guidance, with the shrub cut back before new stems develop. The reviewed cultivar sources do not prescribe a more specific regional schedule.