Blue beard (Caryopteris  × clandonensis 'Worcester Gold') kare-ee-OP-ter-iss ex klan-don-EN-sis Genus:  Caryopteris

'Worcester Gold' is an attractive, mounding, woody shrub with warm yellow to chartreuse foliage and lavender-blue flowers in late summer and early autumn. The flowers are fragrant and attractive to bees and butterflies. The foliage is also aromatic. It is ideal for a mixed or shrub border.

Noteworthy Characteristics: 

Relatively drought tolerant and very heat tolerant. Shrub expands slowly as branches that touch the ground form their own roots.

Care: 

Grow in well-drained soil that is not overly rich. Shape them in spring to keep rounded clump form. Foliage keeps its golden color in cooler climates but might fade to pale green in warmer zones. Cut back to 3-inch stems in late winter to promote vigorous branching growth.

Propagation: 

Separate rooted stems from parent plant and transplant in early spring. Also from softwood cuttings.

Problems: 

Infrequent. Capsid bugs may affect leaves. May need to be hard pruned in spring in areas with severe winters.

Overview

Height 3 ft. to 6 ft. Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft. Growth Habit Spreads Growth Pace Fast Grower Light Full Sun to Part Shade Moisture Adaptable Maintenance Low Characteristics Attracts Butterflies, Fragrant Flowers, Fragrant Foliage, Showy Flowers, Showy Foliage Bloom Time Early Fall, Fall, Late Summer, Summer Flower Color Blue Foliage Color Colorful/Burgundy Foliage Uses Beds and Borders Seasonal Interest Summer Interest Tolerance Deer Tolerant, Drought Tolerant Type Shrubs