Caryopteris x clandonensis 'White Surprise' (Bluebeard 'White Surprise')

Botanical name

Caryopteris x clandonensis 'White Surprise'

Other names

Bluebeard 'White Surprise', Blue mist shrub 'White Surprise', Blue spirea 'White Surprise', Variegated bluebeard 'White Surprise'

Genus

Caryopteris Caryopteris

Variety or Cultivar

'White Surprise' _ 'White Surprise' is a compact, upright, deciduous shrub bearing aromatic, ovate to lance-shaped, toothed, dark grey-green leaves with irregular, creamy-white margins and clusters of fragrant, purple-blue flowers from midsummer to early autumn.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Upright, Compact

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Colour

Flower

Blue, Purple in Summer; Purple, Blue in Autumn

Foliage

Variegated, Cream, Grey-green in Spring; Cream, Grey-green, Variegated in Summer; Cream, Grey-green, Variegated 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. Cut weak stems to the base. May die back to the ground in areas with cold winters, with new stems emerging each spring. In this case, prune back to the base in spring.

Propagation methods

Softwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

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

Suggested uses

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

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in a sheltered, sunny position. Heat tolerant. Fairly drought tolerant once established. Does not tolerate wet, poorly-drained soil. Treat as a shrubby, soft-wooded perennial in colder areas.

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 'White Surprise' (Bluebeard 'White Surprise')

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/