PlantFiles: Bluebeard, California Lilac, Autumn Blue Spiraea
Caryopteris incana 'Sunshine Blue'

Not as tenacious for me, a master gardener so I know how to grow. Bought this plant from mail order to grow it in Houston, Texas area. Couldn't handle the summer heat or drought or both. Died quickly in the middle of the summer. Big disappointment.

Caryopteris - Sunshine Blue® Bluebeard

Forget about growing other yellow-leaf Caryopteris varieties: Sunshine Blue® is the standard for gold-leaf bluebeard, and that's just the leaves! This variety of Caryopteris is larger, more woody, and hardier than the typical. Stronger growing than 'Worcester Gold', it also has larger, brighter yellow foliage. Sunshine Blue® has rich blue appealing flowers that overwhelm the pale blue blooms of other cultivars. The flowers and foliage have a pleasant scent, and may be cut for use in arrangements. It is a great contrast plant that will add season long color to the garden, looks stunning next to dark green plants. Bluebeard is a useful plant in the landscape, especially for drier conditions. Use it in perennial beds, mixed borders, or as a mass planting in dry, sunny areas. Dies back to the ground in the northern states (roots are hardy).

Caryopteris 'Sunshine Blue' BLUE MIST SHRUB Dec (z6)
What a combination!: deep amethyst-blue flowers on a background of sunny-yel leaves; a rounded 3'eye-catcher for border or accent.S/M PPAF

I can certainly vouch for the tenacity of of this plant. I have ignored and abused mine in every conceivable way. If it were possible to kill it, mine would be dead. According to the literature this plant does best is sunshine and in a cool environment. I gave it neigher. For 2 years mine has sat in a 6" pot at the back of my North facing patio and behind a bunch of larger plants where a 2story house kept it in shade all day. Despite our punishing summer heat (Charleston, SC, Zone8b), it subsisted on rainwater in a parched pot that was dry more often than not. This winter it sat in the middle of the garden, exposed to the elements, its pot subjected to overnight temps as low as 28F. I can't remember ever having fertilized it. Mine doesn't look great, but despite all that abuse it is alive and starting to leaf out again for spring and last summer and fall it actually bloomed. I'm looking forward to seeing what it can do with just a little care.

Also, I kept mine in partial sun the 1st summer. In good light the leaves were a bright yellow-chartreuse. When kept in shade the petioles lengthened and the leaves became a light apple green.