Longwood Blue Bluebeard

[Longwood Blue](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/101640/caryopteris-%C3%97-clandonensis-longwood-blue/details) is a deciduous, mound-forming bluebeard with aromatic gray-green foliage and blue flowers in late summer and autumn. Its loose flowering display brings color to sunny shrub borders when many early-season flowers have finished. ## Form and flowering The exact cultivar is Caryopteris × clandonensis ‘Longwood Blue’. The [USDA Forest Service’s northern Nevada plant table](https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/43767.pdf) lists a mature height of about 4 feet and spread of 5 feet, with USDA hardiness zones 5–9. The RHS describes the foliage as gray-green and notes its small blue flowers in late summer and autumn. Flowers are visited by pollinating insects. ## Growing conditions Plant in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Give the shrub room to develop its naturally rounded outline and avoid waterlogged sites. Its aromatic leaves add interest before and between the flowering periods. ## Maintenance Prune the previous year’s growth in early spring to maintain a compact framework and encourage flowering stems. Remove damaged or crowded branches at the same time. Allow the shrub to establish with regular watering, then adjust irrigation to the site and local rainfall.