Caryopteris clandonensis Ferndown - Bluebeard

Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Ferndown' can be seen from afar in flower beds at the end of summer, a small bush covered in deep blue-violet flowers that shine in the sun under the constant flutter of colourful butterflies. This little blue spirea blooms in the second half of summer and until September, on an elegant, finely toothed grey-green foliage that is pleasantly aromatic when crushed. It is a sun-loving plant that thrives in well-drained or even dry soil, and is quite hardy in these conditions. It can be planted in a sunny flower bed, a large rockery, or even in a small hedge. Its compact size allows it to be grown in a beautiful pot on the terrace for many years.

Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Ferndown' is one of the hybrids obtained by cross-breeding Caryopteris incana, an Asian bush known as 'Bluebeard', and the Caryopteris mongolica, which is hardier and native to colder regions of Mongolia and northern China. They all belong to the verbena family.

The 'Ferndown' variety quickly forms a compact bush about 80cm (31.5in) tall and 70cm (27.6in) wide, depending on the growing conditions. It blooms from the end of July in moist soil, and until the beginning of autumn. If the summer is dry, it will wait for the return of rain in August-September to bloom. Its inflorescences appear on the upper half of the current year's branches. They are composed of countless small purple buds gathered in dense whorls. The buds open into small flowers with prominent stamens, of a particularly dark blue-violet colour for a Caryopteris. This flowering is particularly attractive to bees and butterflies, and the bush is often visited by numerous insects and colourful butterflies. The deciduous foliage, absent in winter, consists of thin, triangular, aromatic leaves with irregularly toothed edges, arranged opposite each other on straight stems. They have a green-grey colour that varies from silver to more or less depending on the dryness of the soil and the heat. When crushed, they release a powerful aroma with resinous notes.

Caryopteris 'Ferndown', described as one of the most compact and colourful varieties, is used as a low hedge, in the company of shrubs and perennials with summer flowering that are as frugal as it is: yellow or orange shrubby Potentillas, Nepetas, Ceratostigma griffithii, lavender, dwarf buddleias, shrubby salvias... A colourful scene can be created at the end of summer by associating Caryopteris with compact sunflowers, evening primroses, Epilobium canum, Aster turbinellus, or other more active asters. A group of 3 shrubs surrounding a perennial rose of pastel (white, pink, or orange) or vibrant (red, yellow) colours is a splendid sight in September, as their very different styles and colours of flowering perfectly complement each other. Also consider planting some cyclamen at its base, and Sternbergia lutea, the autumn crocus with bright yellow flowers.