Dark Knight Bluebeard
Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight'
- Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™
Dark Knight Bluebeard - #3 Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
| From | To | S&H |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
| $20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
| $50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
| $70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
| $100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
| $130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
| $150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
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!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateMedium
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Flower Color
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Pollinator Friendly
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Pollinator Required
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Fragrant
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodSummer, Fall
Growing Zones 5-9
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!
