Sunshine Blue Bluebeard

Sunshine Blue is a mounded, deciduous bluebeard valued for amethyst-blue flowers set against bright yellow foliage. The compact shrub suits sunny mixed borders and adds a bright late-season accent; its flowers also attract butterflies. ## Cultivar and size The [Proven Winners profile](https://www.provenwinners.com/plants/caryopteris/sunshine-blue-bluebeard-caryopteris-incana) identifies Sunshine Blue as Caryopteris incana ‘Jason’ and lists a mature size of about 30–36 inches, blue-purple flowers, yellow leaves, and a mounded form. It gives hardiness zones 5a–11b and notes flowering in late summer through fall. The [RHS cultivar profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/189894/caryopteris-incana-sunshine-blue/details) describes aromatic yellow-green foliage and deep-blue late-summer to early-autumn flowers, with a broader 0.5–1 m size range. ## Siting Provide full sun and well-drained soil. Caryopteris dislikes waterlogged ground and becomes drought tolerant after establishment, as the [RHS growing guide](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/caryopteris/growing-guide) notes. ## Maintenance Prune stems back in spring as new growth begins. In colder sites, some top growth may die back, while roots can resprout.