Caryopteris

The genus Caryopteris includes about 15 species of deciduous shrubs, of which two are grown. Gray Caryopteris (Caryopteris incana) is a stable shrub up to 1.5 m high. Caryopteris clandonensis (C. x clandonensis) was obtained from crossing gray-haired Caryopteris and Mongolian Caryopteris (C. mongolica). The lush hybrid is characterized by oval pubescent leaves of dark brown-green color. Lilac-blue tubular flowers, consisting of five lobes in the upper part, are collected in apical cymose and axillary inflorescences. They bloom from mid-summer to early autumn. The species is quite stable, it can grow up to 1 m in height. Several garden shapes are derived from it, among them a very compact 'Sky Blue'.

The genus Caryopteris includes about 15 species of deciduous shrubs, of which two are grown.

Gray Caryopteris (Caryopteris incana) is a stable shrub up to 1.5 m high.

Caryopteris clandonensis (C. x clandonensis) was obtained from crossing gray-haired Caryopteris and Mongolian Caryopteris (C. mongolica). The lush hybrid is characterized by oval pubescent leaves of dark brown-green color. Lilac-blue tubular flowers, consisting of five lobes in the upper part, are collected in apical cymose and axillary inflorescences. They bloom from mid-summer to early autumn. The species is quite stable, it can grow up to 1 m in height. Several garden shapes are derived from it, among them a very compact 'Sky Blue'.

Cultivation

Caryopteris is grown in the open ground in a place protected from the wind. It is suitable for any soil, except for too wet, acidic and sandy. Planted on a permanent planting site in autumn or spring (in fairly moist or compacted soil), when planting, organic fertilizers are added at the rate of 3-4 kg/m2. The planting depth is 30-40 cm, the distance between the plants is 1.5-2 m from each other. Only if the land is not very fertile, full mineral fertilizer in the amount of 20 g per bucket is added to the water for irrigation from May to August - once every 15-20 days. In March, the strongest branches are significantly cut off, leaving two buds on each, and the most- frail ones are completely removed.

Caryopteris is grown in the open ground in a place protected from the wind. It is suitable for any soil, except for too wet, acidic and sandy. Planted on a permanent planting site in autumn or spring (in fairly moist or compacted soil), when planting, organic fertilizers are added at the rate of 3-4 kg/m2. The planting depth is 30-40 cm, the distance between the plants is 1.5-2 m from each other. Only if the land is not very fertile, full mineral fertilizer in the amount of 20 g per bucket is added to the water for irrigation from May to August - once every 15-20 days. In March, the strongest branches are significantly cut off, leaving two buds on each, and the most- frail ones are completely removed.

Location

The best place is open sunny, but if the site is well protected from the winds, you can grow it in partial shade.

Temperature

The plant is resistant to high air temperature: the minimum temperature is in the range of 10-0 °C, depending on the location and soil humidity. Often, even if the stems and leaves are damaged by frost, Caryopteris forms many shoots at the base of the bush. In areas where the winter is cold, it is recommended to cover the plant bases with leaves or other organic material.

Watering

In hot summers and strong winds, it is recommended to water if the ground is too dry, in other cases watering is almost never required.

Reproduction

To preserve the properties of mother plants, take semi-woody cuttings at the end of summer; they are planted to form roots in pots or multi-seat cassettes filled with a mixture of peat and agroperlite or peat and sand in equal parts. As soon as the cuttings are well rooted, they are transplanted into a mixed soil consisting of 50% earth, 25% peat and 25% sand, and then, in the fall or next spring, the seedlings are finally planted in the ground.

Diseases

The main problem when growing Caryopteris on the site is frosts, which in the most serious cases can lead plants to death or contribute to infection with fungi, which are disposed of with the help of fungicides. To avoid such a nuisance, plant plants in a suitable closed place.

Acquisition

Potted plants ready for planting in the open ground can be found in flower nurseries and gardening centers. Choose compact, healthy plants.