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Dark Knight Bluebeard

Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight'

Nature Hills Nursery
  • Deep Indigo Blooms Light up Gardens When Summer Flowers Fade, Flowering Until Frost
  • Thrives in Zones 5-9
  • Deer Resistant, Disease Resistant, Drought Tolerant
  • Showy Blue, Purple Blooms From Late Summer to Late Fall
  • Excellent Hedge or Mass Planting
$5799
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Plant Characteristics Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Compact/Dwarf, Flowering, Fragrant, Deer-resistant, Attracts pollinators, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant, Container Friendly
Hardiness Zone 6a9b
Sunlight Full sun
Height 2-3 ft
Width 1-2 ft
Watering Needs Low
Preferred Soil Loamy
Growth Rate Moderate
Blooms In Fall, Summer
Flower Color Blue, Purple
Foliage Color Green
Fragrant Yes
Suitable Space Outdoors
Botanical Name Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight'
Species x clandonensis
Cultivar Dark Knight
Class Lamiales
Does Not Ship To AK, HI, ID, MT, PR
M
Mary (United States)
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.

L
Lilli
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

V
Ventura
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

V
Ventura
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

L
Lois
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

l
lois
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

P
Purplelady
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

P
Purplelady
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.

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

L
Lilli
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 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

When to prune caryopteris dark knight?
  • Prune Dark Knight Bluebeard in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Since it blooms on new wood from mid-summer through frost, early spring pruning won't affect flowering. Cut back to 6-12 inches above ground level to maintain its compact 2-3 foot form.

How tall and wide does Dark Knight Bluebeard get at maturity?
  • Dark Knight Bluebeard reaches 2-3 feet tall and about 2 feet wide at maturity. This compact size makes it perfect for front borders, containers, or small spaces where you want late-summer color without overwhelming nearby plants. Shop at Nature Hills for this pollinator-friendly shrub.

Does Dark Knight Bluebeard prefer full sun or partial shade?
  • Dark Knight Bluebeard thrives in full sun for best flowering and compact growth. This hardy shrub (zones 5-9) can tolerate some light shade but may become leggy with reduced blooms. Plant in the sunniest spot available for maximum late summer flower production.

What type of soil does Dark Knight Bluebeard need to thrive?
  • Dark Knight Bluebeard thrives in well-draining soil and tolerates poor, dry conditions exceptionally well. This hardy shrub performs best in average to sandy soils with good drainage. Avoid heavy clay or constantly wet areas, as this can lead to root rot and poor flowering performance.

How often should I water Dark Knight Bluebeard after planting?
  • Water newly planted Dark Knight Bluebeard deeply 2-3 times per week for the first month, then reduce to weekly watering once established. This drought-tolerant shrub actually prefers slightly dry conditions after its roots settle in. Check soil moisture 2 inches down before watering - available at naturehills.com.

Is Dark Knight Bluebeard deer resistant?
  • Dark Knight Bluebeard is generally deer resistant due to its aromatic foliage that deer typically avoid. This compact 2-3 foot shrub's fragrant gray-green leaves make it an excellent choice for areas with deer pressure. Plant it along pathways or as a low hedge where deer browsing is a concern.

Is midnight blue heart a real plant?
  • Midnight Blue Heart isn't a recognized plant variety, but you might be thinking of Dark Knight Bluebeard with its deep lavender-blue spires. This compact shrub blooms late summer through frost in zones 5-9, reaching 2-3 feet tall. Consider Dark Knight for similar blue flower color and pollinator appeal.

What evergreen tree has blue berries?
  • Dark Knight Bluebeard isn't an evergreen tree - it's a deciduous shrub that produces lavender-blue flowers, not berries. This 2-3 foot tall shrub blooms from late summer until frost in zones 5-9. For true evergreen trees with blue berries, consider junipers instead.
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