Dark Knight Bluebeard

Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight'

$49⁵⁶ $57⁸³

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Plant Size

#2 Container

Product variants

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Delivery and Shipping

Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Highlights

Dark Knight Bluebeard highlights at a glance!

Botanical Name

Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight'
Brand

Nature Hills' Choice
Growing Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Growth Rate

Moderate
Mature Height

2 - 3 feet
Mature Width

18 - 24 inches
Leaf Color
- Green
Flower Color
- Blue
- Purple
Pollinator Friendly

Yes
Pollinator Required

No
Bloom Period

Late Summer, Early Fall, Late Fall
Fragrant

Yes

Growing Zones 5-9

Find Your Growing Zone!

The Dark Knight Bluebeard (Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight') adds deep blue color and pleasant fragrance to your garden! Blooming in late summer when many other flowering plants have receded, this sturdy deciduous shrub will continue blooming until frost!

The aromatic gray-green foliage is lovely all spring and summer, and in late summer the stems transform into airy spires of lavender-blue! Forming in clusters at intervals along the flowering stems, the flower presentation resembles Salvia, Chaste trees, or herbs from the distance!

Hardy shrubs throughout USDA planting zones 5 to 9, the Bluebeard is sometimes known as the Blue Spirea, with its fizzy blooms resembling the Spiraea family. The slender, light foliage and puffy flowers create an airy texture in the landscape, growing just 2-3 feet tall and about 2 feet wide.

Planting and Application:

Dark Knight is a compact though prolific, this lovely variety layers well in larger gardens and creates dramatic solo effects in smaller urban spaces such as the rooftop, a small yard, or in courtyard gardens. Plant a row in the front of your Cottage garden to draw attention with a bank of color or plant in a cluster to draw attention to a central focal point!

Regardless of how and where you choose to place your Bluebeard, you'll find it attracts attention from butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects as well, making it an excellent choice for butterfly and pollinator garden designs.

Add several plants as "Thrillers" in big, colorful containers or half-whiskey barrels, anywhere in your landscape. They will perform beautifully on the pool deck or on either side of your entryway. Go as formal or informal as you'd like with these tidy and easy-care plants! Plant a long row along a hot dry sidewalk, in a Rock Garden, or as a low hedge near your patio and pathways!

Lavender-Blue Flower Spires
Mid-Summer to Fall Flowers
Small, Mounding Low-Growing Shrub
Aromatic Gray-Green Leaves
Attracts Pollinators!
Great In Containers, Edging, Beds & Borders, & Specimens

#ProPlantTips for Care:

This Bluebeard is a fast grower and prefers a full-sun location. Low water needs mean this variety can handle drought or drier conditions. A 3-4 inch deep layer of mulch around the base of the plants is a great idea to retain additional needed moisture. Plus, once established, they'll become drought-tolerant.

A deciduous shrub, but acting like a perennial in colder growing zones, where it dies back during the winter, but returns year after year, making it an excellent long-term investment! Pruning Bluebeard in early spring promotes blooms and longevity, and maintains the often preferred compact and mounded shape. It is best to prune your Caryopteris in early spring to reduce the size and prune off any winter-damaged branches.

Full Sun & Some Shade
Almost Any Well-Drained Soil Type
Moderate Moisture Needs - Drought Tolerant Once Established
Blooms On New Wood - Prune Early Spring
Deer Seldom Bother These - Pest Resistant

Make the Dark Knight Bluebeard bush a welcome addition to your garden and create a summer-to-fall wildlife attraction. Order today at NatureHills.com to promote color and vibrance throughout the season!

Bluebeard Dark Beauty!

Awesome in one word! I have had this shrub for 4-5 yrs. and it has steadily gotten more breathtaking each year! It started out as a small cutting/gift given to me and has now grown to a small shrub approx. 3 ft. high by 3-4 ft. wide. Each year I cut back spent blooms and in the fall it dies back to ground. I cover the area with extra mulch and use a protective cone or inverted large planter to protect the plant base from winter elements. Each spring it has never failed to grow. I am cheerily presented with a gorgeouse deep silvery-green bush abundant with deep blue flowers mid summer to fall. It attracts butterflies in the area and bees. Its planted in full sun with good drainage and little water! Hours of pleasure. I love it!

Hi Lilli,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with your Dark Knight Bluebeard! It’s truly heartening to hear how this shrub has flourished under your care over the past several years. Your dedication—cutting back spent blooms, providing mulch, and using protective cones during winter—shows fantastic gardening knowledge and really makes a difference in longevity and vibrant blooms.

We’re thrilled to know it continues to reward you with its deep silvery-green leaves and beautiful blue flowers that attract such lovely pollinators like butterflies and bees. Full sun with good drainage is indeed the perfect spot, and your watering routine sounds just right to keep the plant happy without excess moisture.

If you ever want to try any companion plants that flourish alongside Bluebeards or learn more about pruning early in the season to potentially boost next year’s blooms, feel free to reach out. Your experience is a wonderful inspiration to others as well!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Flowers till frost

We've had a Bluebeard for many years, though I don't know which variety. It goes through the coldest michigan winters and never fails to flower. We have a hummingbird feeder nearby, but the hummers will sip from our Bluebeard, so happy to find flowers at that time of year. They are still flowering after the hummingbirds have left for the winter.

Dear Ventura,

Thank you so much for sharing your delightful experience with your Bluebeard! It’s wonderful to hear how resilient your plant has been through those chilly Michigan winters and that it continues to bloom for your hummingbird visitors late into the season. Bluebeards are truly special for their long-lasting flowers and wildlife appeal, and it’s a joy to know yours keeps bringing color and life to your garden.

If you ever want to explore the specific variety of your longtime Bluebeard or ensure it remains healthy and happy, we recommend checking for features like leaf shape and flower color—these can help narrow down the type. Additionally, Bluebeards typically thrive with full sun and well-drained soil, so maintaining those conditions will promote vigorous blooming and hardy growth through the cold months.

Keep enjoying those beautiful blooms and visiting hummingbirds—they’re a great sign that you’ve created a welcoming, vibrant space. Feel free to reach out anytime for plant tips or to browse new varieties that complement your garden’s lovely ecosystem.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Flowers till frost

We've had a Bluebeard for many years, though I don't know which variety. It goes through the coldest michigan winters and never fails to flower. We have a hummingbird feeder nearby, but the hummers will sip from our Bluebeard, so happy to find flowers at that time of year. They are still flowering after the hummingbirds have left for the winter.

Dear Ventura,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with your Bluebeard! It’s heartwarming to hear how your plant thrives even through Michigan’s harsh winters and continues to provide beauty and nourishment for hummingbirds well into colder months. The fact that hummingbirds sip from your Bluebeard makes it clear you’ve created a perfect little haven for them – what a special treat!

Since you mentioned the flowers last well past the hummingbirds’ departure, you might enjoy knowing that regularly deadheading spent blooms can encourage even more flowering later into the season. Also, ensuring your Bluebeard has great drainage and gets full sun can help it keep flowering vigorously. If you ever want to explore specific Dark Knight varieties or other Bluebeard types that have similar hardy traits, we’re happy to assist!

Thanks again for your kind words and trusted support of these beautiful plants. May your garden continue to bring joy to you and visiting wildlife through many seasons ahead.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Bluebeard Dark Knight

Our two beautiful Dark Knights were planted in September of 2009. I cut them back last fall and now they're large, perfectly rounded and FULL of wonderful deep purple blooms! As soon as the sun comes out, so do the honey bees! Hundreds!

Dear Lois,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with your Dark Knight Bluebeard! We’re absolutely delighted to hear how vibrant and full your plants have become since you planted them back in 2009. Your thoughtful pruning last fall clearly paid off, encouraging that stunning growth and those gorgeous deep purple blooms. It’s also fantastic that your garden is buzzing with so many honey bees—they must be as fond of your Bluebeards as you are!

If you’re looking to continue encouraging pollinators or keep your shrubs healthy, a regular watering schedule and mulching don't just conserve moisture but also feed the soil over time. In late winter, lightly pruning any dead wood ensures your plants maintain their shape and encourage even more blooms in spring.

Thank you again for taking the time to share such pairing of beauty and ecologically friendly gardening omens. Should you ever have questions about care tips or future plant ideas, we’re here to help!

Cultivating beauty together,
Nature Hills – Expert Plant Advice

Bluebeard Dark Knight

Our two beautiful Dark Knights were planted in September of 2009. I cut them back last fall and now they're large, perfectly rounded and FULL of wonderful deep purple blooms! As soon as the sun comes out, so do the honey bees! Hundreds!

Dear Lois,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with your Dark Knight Bluebeard! We’re absolutely thrilled to hear that after all these years, your shrubs have grown so full and vibrant, especially with those gorgeous deep purple blooms. It’s fantastic that the honey bees are enjoying your garden’s bounty as much as you are—that buzz of life is truly a joy!

Pruning them last fall clearly paid off, as cutting back helps encourage that healthy, dense growth and abundant flowering. As a tip moving forward, be sure to prune in late winter or early spring before new growth starts to maintain that perfect shape and encourage even more blossoms next season.

If you ever want to enhance your pollinator garden, pairing your Bluebeard with complementary native flowering perennials could bring even more life to your outdoor haven. Also, periodic watering during dry spells, plus a layer of mulch, will keep your shrubs thriving through each season.

Thanks again, Lois, for taking the time to share. We wish your beautiful garden many more bountiful, bee-filled seasons!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

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Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150+	$24.99

Dark Knight Bluebeard

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