PlantFiles: Blue Mist Spiraea, Bluebeard
Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Worcester Gold'

I've tried growing several cultivars of caryopteris and this is the only successful one so far (the others haven't grown much and look wimpy). The gold leaves look sensational spring through fall, and the blue flowers in the fall are a dramatic addition. I have it in full sun, poor but amended soil. I have fertilized with slow release organic fertilizer and water it occasionally in the summer. I may plant more.

I grew this in a large pot where it thrived for several years. I welcomed it's rebirth each spring because of the light colored leaves, and later, the long lasting sprigs of purple flowers which the bees and butterflies loved. I lost mine this past winter for unk reasons but will look to replace it soon. A great addition to the garden.

This plant grows well in California in the hot Central Valley. However, direct sun may burn edges even though an ample amount of sun is needed to get the brilliant gold color to stand out. My suggestion is to plant in morning sun areas. The leaves will turn a lime green in late summer or in shade.

Treated as a dieback shrub in at least z5, maybe even z6, though roots are reliably hardy to z5 and I've even seen it pushed to z4 with success. Regardless, the plant blooms on new wood, so bloom is not affected by winter dieback. Do not cut back until you see bud break. Actual plant height is dependent upon dieback or pruning, so may grow larger in warmer zones if not pruned.

The foliage is more chartreuse than yellow and makes a wonderful contrast for darker greens in the garden and the lavender/blue flowers that come late in the season. The flowers are fragrant, and the leaves are strongly aromatic. An easy and pleasant plant to grow and maintain.

This plant is great for adding color contrast in the garden.