Blue Mist Spirea

Blue Mist Spirea, Bluebeard

Caryopteris incana

Verbenaceae (Vervain Family)

▲ mature, flowering shrub

▲ ▼ flowers

Location near campus: in Xeriscape Garden (location at corner of Linwood and National, about 1 mile south of campus).

Caryopteris incana: Blue Mist Spirea, Bluebeard

• Has opposite, oval to diamond-shaped leaves with teeth on upper 2/3 of leaf
• Leaves are 1-3 inches long and 1/2 to 2/3 as wide, gray-green above, silvery underneath and hairy on both sides
• Clusters of blue-purple flowers in axils of leaves are quite showy; flowers on current season’s growth
• Grows 18-36 inches tall and wide
• Can be cut back to ground in dormant season, as it flowers on current season’s growth
• Prefers full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soils, but tolerates dry soils well