Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Beyond Midnight'

Sizes available: 5" pot

Basics: zones 5-9, 24-30" x 24-30", full sun, rich, purply-blue bloom in late summer/early fall, needs good drainage and does not like winter wet

Common names: Bluebeard, Blue Mist Spiraea (not a Spiraea, which is one of the many reasons that, although fascinating culturally, common plant names drive me bonkers)

Family: Lamiaceae

Origin/Distribution: This is a Proven Winners cultivar. It is a cross between C. incana and C. mongholica. These two species hail from east Asia and the cross was inadvertent, noticed by Arthur Simmonds in his garden in Surrey. The entire story is interesting (to me, anyway) and you can read it on Wikipedia. 

Habitat: the species occur on dry, infertile soil with good drainage

More: Late season nectar source for pollinators, good cut for flower arranging. Since Caryopteris bloom on new wood, cut this plant back in early spring to strong new buds. If it gets damaged, it can be pruned hard and will shoot from the base. The leaves are aromatic when lightly crushed. 

Nursery: Spring Meadow

Image credit: Proven Winners via Spring Meadow Nursery