Bluebeard - Arthur J. Simmonds

The Arthur J. Simmonds Bluebeard, Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Arthur J. Simmonds', is perhaps the hardiest of bluebeards! It displays powdery light blue flowers that are produced in late summer when few other shrubs bloom. It makes a shapely rounded bush, and its light coloured lance-shaped leaves visually blur with the blue of the flowers. Before flowering, Arthur J. Simmonds makes a fine foliaged, formal shape that combines well with golden grasses. This is a relatively small shrub that will die back to the ground during the winter. It is suggested that this bluebeard be cut back to the ground to enhance production of new wood on which the flowers will be borne.