Caryopteris Dark Knight #3
Caryopteris × clandonensis ‘Dark Knight’ (Bluebeard / Blue Mist Spirea) is a compact, deciduous shrub prized for its deep violet-blue flowers that bloom from late summer into early fall. It has a tidy, rounded to slightly mounded habit with aromatic, gray-green to silvery foliage that adds texture and contrast throughout the growing season. The flower clusters appear along the upper stems, creating a dramatic haze of rich color that attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators when few other shrubs are flowering. ‘Dark Knight’ is moderately drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and well-suited for sunny borders, mass plantings, pollinator gardens, or cottage-style landscapes, offering a strong late-season floral display in a manageable, compact size.
Hardiness Zones:
USDA Zones 5–9Mature Size:
Typically 2–3 ft tall and 2–3 ft wide
(compact, rounded to slightly mounded habit)Light Requirements:
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Full sun (at least 6+ hours daily)
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Best flowering, strongest stems, and richest foliage color in full sun
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Too much shade → sparse blooms and floppy growth
Water Requirements:
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Low to moderate water needs
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Prefers well-drained soil
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Water regularly during establishment
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Once established, drought tolerant and sensitive to waterlogged soil
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