Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight' (Bluebeard 'Dark Knight')

Botanical name

Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight'

Other names

Bluebeard 'Dark Knight', Blue mist shrub 'Dark Knight', Blue spirea 'Dark Knight', Blue mist spirea 'Dark Knight', Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Night'

Genus

Caryopteris Caryopteris

Variety or Cultivar

'Dark Knight' _ 'Dark Knight' is a compact, rounded to mound-forming, deciduous shrub with upright stems bearing aromatic, ovate to lance-shaped, grey-green leaves, silvery beneath, and cymes of fragrant, deep purple-blue flowers from late summer into autumn.

Native to

Garden origin

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Compact, Cushion or Mound Forming, Rounded

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Colour

Flower

Dark-blue, Purple in Summer

Foliage

Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Capsid bug , Mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease free.

General care

Pruning

Every spring cut back to within two leaf-buds of the old growth. Weak stems should be cut base to the base.

Propagation methods

Softwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight' (Bluebeard 'Dark Knight') will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.9m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Drought Tolerant, Cottage/Informal, Banks and Slopes, Beds and borders, Gravel, Low Maintenance

Cultivation

Thrives in any well-drained soil. Needs a sunny position and in cold areas will need shelter.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight' (Bluebeard 'Dark Knight')

Common pest name

tomato thrips

Scientific pest name

Ceratothripoides brunneus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Thrips present in Africa; the Caribbean and parts of Asia; frequently intercepted in the UK. Can cause significant damage to tomatoes and other crops in countries where it is present. Europe wide PRA will consider its potential to establish and cause damage.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/