First Editions®

Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard

Name: Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard
Brand: First Editions
SKU: 20137
Price: 58.17 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.0 (9 reviews)

Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Blauer Splatz'

Deep Ocean-Blue Flowers Transform Your Garden into Late Summer Through Fall Color
Thrives in Zones 5-9
Grows 1-3 ft Tall
Deer Resistant, Disease Resistant, Drought Tolerant
Showy Blue Blooms From Late Summer to Late Fall

$58¹⁷

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Plant Size

#2 Container

Product variants

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Fragrant, Disease resistant, Attracts pollinators, Flowering, Drought resistant
Hardiness Zone	6a to 9b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	1-3 ft
Width	2-4 ft
Watering Needs	Low
Preferred Soil	Loamy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Blooms In	Fall, Summer
Flower Color	Blue
Foliage Color	Blue green, Green
Fragrant	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Botanical Name	Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Blauer Splatz'
Species	x clandonensis
Cultivar	Blauer Splatz
Class	Lamiales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

The weather is cooling off in late summer and early fall. It's a perfect time to entertain family and friends. How does your landscape look at this time of year? If you need more late-season color to perk up your parties, just add Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard from First Editions®. You'll easily brighten your landscape with mounds of deep, ocean-blue flowers, fragrant foliage, and butterflies!

Try First Editions® Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard (Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Blauer Splatz') and catch a wave of beautiful deep ocean blue flowers from top to bottom in late summer and through fall - a time when not much else is going on in the garden!

You'll love the flower power of the masses of cool flowers! The blooms are perfect landing pads for pretty butterflies to feast on the welcome nectar. They'll love dancing over the tops of these plants.

Dark green leaves have a fantastic silvery and grayish overcast, becoming the perfect foil. They are a super contrast against the rich blue flowers that grow along the branch tips. This easy-care gem is a compact, low-maintenance shrub!

Also known as Blue Spirea, the blooms provide an astonishing range of lavender blues that age into brilliant indigo blue tones. Each flower will be slightly different and unique. Low maintenance, rabbit and deer-resistant, and beautiful! What more could you ask for in a garden flower? You will love this plant!

Planting and Application:

Be honest … Could you use some help cooling a hot, dry garden at the end of a long summer? Try this truly beautiful plant, and Sapphire Surf™ will thrill you in your garden border, in pots, or in landscape beds! Add several plants as "Thrillers" in big, colorful containers anywhere in your landscape. They will perform beautifully on the pool deck or on either side of your entryway.

Why not use a few in each of your landscape plantings? You'll unify the look across the property and help butterflies and beneficial insects at the same time! Pair with Butterfly Bush, Sedum, Aster, Coneflower, and Rudbeckia for a butterfly nectar station.

It has a refined, yet informal look and can be used in place of a Boxwood hedge in those hot sunny areas that can use some color. Let this silvery colored plant encase your rectangular bed filled with spring flowering bulbs and annuals, or your favorite perennials. They also make great facer plants for Roses.

Plant them and sit back and enjoy the fall show. They'll delight you as a rounded mass of fragrant, gray-green foliage all summer. Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard makes a fantastic edging shrub for the front of the Cottage garden, mixed border, and is the perfect plant to include with your perennial gardens!

Everyone always has those hot spots in their landscapes where nothing seems to do well. Try this First Editions® Bluebeard selection! Plant a long row along a hot dry sidewalk, in a Rock Garden, or as a low hedge near your patio and pathways!

Use these compact shrubs in a mass planting as a beautiful groundcover. Don't forget to add a row along the front of your sunny foundation areas where you need a shorter flowering plant. You'll easily find a place to tuck one, two, or thirty in your yard! Space shrubs 1 to 2 feet apart in full sun.

Overall, Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard is a magnificent, low-maintenance shrub that produces wonderful summer-to-fall flowers. It looks good all year. Even in winter, the branches will catch and sculpt the snow or frost. The bare branch structure is dense and beautiful and makes a pretty picture.

Bountiful Rich Blue Flowers in Late Summer & Fall
Fragrant Silvery Green Leaves
Compact Smaller Size
Butterfly Magnet!
Great In Containers, Edging, Beds & Borders, & Groundcover

#ProPlantTips for Care:

This easy-care, deciduous flowering plant has few pests or problems. Blooming best in full sun in cooler USDA growing zones 5 and 6, they'll take partial/afternoon shade in Zones 7 to 9. Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard will grow in any soil, except wet soils. It will thrive in soil that drains well.

Give large containers adequate drainage. Raise the container onto a circle of bricks so the water can drain freely from the bottom. We don't recommend using a saucer underneath outdoor plants, so place your container where the drain water won't cause a problem. All plants appreciate 3-4 inches of arborist mulch over their roots.

Give your new plants a moderate amount of water during the first season to get their roots established in your soil. Once the plants are growing well, they'll become drought-tolerant. Baby them a bit in their first few seasons!

In colder hardiness zones, there may be some winter dieback on the branch tips. Bluebeards are deciduous shrubs that can act like a woody perennial in colder areas with perfect success year after year. Simply give this little shrub a pruning early in the spring as it starts to grow. In early spring, cut your Sapphire Surf™ 4 - 6 inches from the ground just as it starts to grow.

Then, watch it shoot up new growth each year! The plants bloom on new growth, so this hard pruning makes the flower display better every year. Then, just leave it alone! You will be rewarded with a phenomenal flower display from late summer into fall.

Very Easy Care - Thrives in Hot, Dry, Full Sun & Some Part Shade
Any Well-Drained Soil
Moderate Moisture Needs
Blooms On New Wood - Prune Back Early Spring
Deciduous Shrub But Dies Back Like A Perennial
Virtually Pest Free - Rabbits & Deer Seem To Leave This Plant Alone

Plant First Editions® Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard to liven up your late-season garden and attract beautiful butterflies in droves! The lovely wave of blue flowers that grow up and along the branch tips make an eye-catching display and absolutely cover this compact cutie. Order yours today!

Other varieties

Petit Bleu™ Bluebeard
Caryopteris x clandonensis 'MiniBleu'

(9)

Regular price $57³⁹
Sunshine Blue® II Bluebeard
Caryopteris incana 'SMNCVH'

(3)

Regular price From $69²⁷
Dark Knight Bluebeard
Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight'

(9)

Regular price $57⁹⁹

This product has no reviews of its own. The merchant grouped it with related products, so the reviews shown are from across that group.

Dark Knight Bluebeard

Plants looked beautiful and are very nice. Packaged very well, too. I was surprised that they were blooming because they usually bloom in August. I hope they continue to bloom throughout the summer.

Caryopteris can surprise you like that, especially when the plants are healthy and well-rooted on arrival. The good news is that Dark Knight tends to rebloom reliably through late summer, so as long as it gets plenty of sun and good drainage, you should see those deep violet flowers keep coming. Thanks for sharing, Mary, and enjoy the show this 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 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

Flowers till frost

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

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

Bluebeard Dark Knight

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 Shrub

I am so excited about this plant. It looks beautiful in the picture. Looking forward to seeing its beautiful blue color. I also want to say I never received plants so wonderfully packed and so good looking. I have ordered from many places and have not been happy with their plants or packaging. It is doing fine. Thank you so much.

Hello Purplelady,

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear how excited you are about your Dark Knight Bluebeard, and that it arrived looking so healthy and beautifully packaged—that truly means a lot to us. We take great care in packing our plants to ensure they journey safely to your doorstep, so we’re thrilled that it met your expectations!

As your Bluebeard grows, keep an eye on consistent watering and plenty of sunlight; it loves full sun to showcase that gorgeous deep blue-purple color. If you’d like, we have some helpful care tips and planting guides on our website to ensure your shrub thrives season after season.

We’re so grateful you chose Nature Hills, and excited for you to watch your Dark Knight Bluebeard bloom spectacularly in your garden!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

Bluebeard - Dark Knight Shrub

Dear Purplelady,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with the Dark Knight Bluebeard! We're thrilled to hear that the plant arrived in such great condition and that our packaging met your expectations—quality and care during shipment are very important to us. The stunning blue flowers of the Bluebeard truly make it a standout shrub, and with proper sunlight and well-drained soil, you’ll be enjoying that vibrant color before long. If you have any questions as it grows, feel free to reach out—we’re always happy to help with tips for a thriving garden!

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

Bluebeard Dark Beauty!

Hi Lilli,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with the Dark Knight Bluebeard! We're thrilled to hear how brilliantly your shrub has thrived over the past 4-5 years and that it continues to bring you so much joy. It sounds like you’ve become an expert in nurturing it—your thoughtful care, especially the cutting back of spent blooms, mulching, and winter protection, surely makes all the difference in encouraging its vibrant growth and lovely blooms.

Your planting conditions are spot on—full sun with good drainage is ideal for this shrub, and it’s fantastic that you’ve observed it attracting butterflies and bees, adding delightful life to your garden. For continued success, keeping to a consistent mulch and protection routine through harsher winters will certainly ensure it returns strong year after year. If you want to explore companion plants that attract pollinators as readily or share a similar care routine, don’t hesitate to reach out!

We truly appreciate you choosing Nature Hills for your gardening adventures and for taking the time to sweep us in as part of your journey. Here’s to many more years of beauteous blooms and butterflies in your garden!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA hardiness zones is Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard suitable for?

Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard thrives in USDA zones 5-9. This hardy shrub tolerates both cold winters and hot summers, making it reliable across most temperate regions. Plant in full sun to partial shade for best flowering performance.

What is the mature height and spread of Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard?

Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard reaches 2-3 feet tall and wide at maturity. This compact shrub forms neat mounds perfect for borders, containers, or mass plantings. Shop at Nature Hills for this low-maintenance beauty that delivers stunning blue blooms from late summer through fall.

Does Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard grow well in my planting zone (e.g., zone 4 or 10)?

Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard thrives in zones 5-9 and performs best in areas with hot, dry summers. This Caryopteris variety needs winter protection in zone 4 and may struggle with extreme heat in zone 10. Check your specific zone on our product page for compatibility before planting.

What are the full sun requirements for Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard?

Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal blooming. This sun-loving shrub produces its best flower display and maintains compact growth when planted in bright, sunny locations.

What type of soil does Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard need, and does it tolerate wet soil?

Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard thrives in well-draining soil and does not tolerate wet conditions. This drought-tolerant shrub prefers average to dry soils once established. Plant in raised beds or amend clay soils with compost for better drainage. Shop Nature Hills for healthy plants.

How often should I water Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard, and is it drought-tolerant?

Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard is drought-tolerant once established and thrives in hot, dry conditions. Water regularly the first year, then reduce to occasional deep watering during extended dry spells. This low-maintenance shrub actually performs best with less frequent watering once its roots are established.

When and how should I prune Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard?

Prune Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Since it blooms on new wood, cut stems back by one-third to one-half to maintain the compact shape and encourage maximum flowering along the branch tips.

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
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$199+	FREE

Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard

Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Blauer Splatz'

Planting and Application:

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Where to Plant

Watering Requirements

Pruning Tips

Fertilizer Needs

Shipping Rates

Other varieties

Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA hardiness zones is Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard suitable for?

What is the mature height and spread of Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard?

Does Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard grow well in my planting zone (e.g., zone 4 or 10)?

What are the full sun requirements for Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard?

What type of soil does Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard need, and does it tolerate wet soil?

How often should I water Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard, and is it drought-tolerant?

When and how should I prune Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard?

Choose options

Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard

Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Blauer Splatz'

Specifications

Description

Planting and Application:

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Watering Requirements

Pruning Tips

Fertilizer Needs

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Find on Page

Other varieties

Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA hardiness zones is Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard suitable for?

What is the mature height and spread of Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard?

Does Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard grow well in my planting zone (e.g., zone 4 or 10)?

What are the full sun requirements for Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard?

What type of soil does Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard need, and does it tolerate wet soil?

How often should I water Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard, and is it drought-tolerant?

When and how should I prune Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard?