This easy-care shrub blooms later in the season, right when many other plants start winding down.
Also called blue mist spirea, this deciduous plant features long, graceful stems covered in tiny leaves.
However, there are many other colorful varieties to consider.
Credit: Rob Cardillo
Light
Bluebeard plantsthrive in full sun.
If the soil stays wet, the roots of bluebeard plants will likely rot.
Young bluebeard plants need regular water to establish a robust root system.
Credit: Rob Cardillo
Once established, bluebeard is drought-tolerant.
However, if temperatures stay above 90F, they may need supplemental watering.
This is not a cause for concern.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
As long as the roots remain strong, the bluebeard plants will return in the spring.
Fertilizer
Bluebeard plants do not require much fertilizerif any.
Overfertilization may cause the plant to focus on foliage growth instead of producing blooms.
Credit: Doug Hetherington
Instead,incorporate some organic matteror compost into the planting hole before placing your bluebeard plant.
The dry, segmented seed pods that remain provide visual interest after the flowers are gone.
This signals to the plant that it is time to create new growth.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Treatment is usually not necessary as the life cycle of four-lined plant bugs only allows one generation per year.
Stem cuttings are a more reliable propagation methodespecially since most bluebeard cultivars found in nurseries are hybrids.
Other new varieties displaycolored foliagethat won’t burn in the sun.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
New and improved varieties boast bigger and bluer blooms.
The plants are compact with deepblue flowers.
Zones 5-9
Blue Mist Bluebeard
CaryopterisBlue Mist is one of the most commonly seen cultivars of bluebeard.
Credit: Scott Little
Zones 5-8
Longwood Blue Bluebeard
CaryopterisLongwood Blue is one of the most outstanding introductions.
It features sky-blue flowers that appear in midsummer and last until fall.
It grows 4 feet tall.
Credit: Justin Hancock
It grows 4 feet tall and wide.
Coreopsis is more low-growing than bluebeard and thrives in lots of sunlight and well-draining soil.
Zones 9-11
Lantana is considered invasive in some states.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Check your local extension service before adding it to your garden.
Zinnia
Like bluebeard,zinniasprefer full sun and are drought-tolerant once established.
Zinnias are some of the toughest annuals you could put in your garden.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
Frequently Asked Questions
The top growth of bluebeard is not nearly as winter-hardy as the roots.
Bluebeard blooms on new growth, so this characteristic typically isn’t a problem.
For the most vigorous and compact growth, cut back the shrub each spring.
Pruning encourages growth from the base and prevents plants from dying out in the middle.
Bluebeard is not classified as invasive in any state, but it can self-seed freely if not monitored.
Texas Invasive Species Institute.
