Karyopteris: photo, planting and care of shrubs in open ground

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Botanical description and homeland of the plant

In autumn the garden is transformed. The green outfit of bushes and trees gives way to yellow, red, and crimson. There are very few flowering crops left. This is what Karyopteris is.

The shrub has erect stems 1-1.5 m high, which begin to become woody at the base as they grow. In shape, it forms a hemisphere, the top of which is crowned with paniculate inflorescences. When closed, the corollas resemble clusters of berries. The flowers are small, soft pink, white, blue, blue-gray or purple. The leaves are oval-shaped with a carved edge, green-smoky in color (the variegated form has a yellow border), they exude a herbaceous-coniferous aroma. The appearance prompted the assignment of popular names to karyopteris: nutwing, blue fog, blue beard.

Wild nutwing thickets are found in Mongolia, Northern China and Central America. The shrub grows mainly on rocks and mountain slopes.

>When does karyopteris bloom?

The charming blue mist blooms throughout August and September.

The plant is an express perennial: it begins to bloom in the year of planting.

Growing Karyopteris from seeds

Karyopteris seeds photo

Karyopteris seeds are sown in open ground before winter or early spring, if your climate conditions are not too harsh. The area is dug up, piles of earth are broken up, seeds are distributed over the surface and covered with a rake.

Growing seedlings is not particularly difficult:

• In early March, the seeds are sown in a wide container with a loose substrate (beginners most often use universal soil for growing seedlings, experienced gardeners prepare soil mixtures on their own: for example, sand and peat, peat with vermiculite, turf soil and sand).
• Simply spread the seeds over the surface without digging (you can lightly dust it with sand), spray with warm water from a fine spray bottle and cover with a piece of glass or transparent film.
• Place the containers on the western or eastern windowsill - diffused lighting is required.
• Maintain the temperature in the range of 22-25 °C.
• Raise the cover for ventilation every day for 20-30 minutes, and grow the seedlings without it, watering it moderately.
• Seeds germinate within 10-14 days.
• When a pair of true leaves appear, the seedlings are planted in separate small containers - peat or plastic cups.
• Transplantation into open ground is carried out after the establishment of real warmth (approximately in May).

If you miss the moment of cracking of the seed pods-nuts, the karyopteris will self-sow. It is important not to miss the moment to collect seeds if necessary or control the process of random sowing.

Reproduction of karyopteris by cuttings and layering

• Cuttings 10-15 cm long are cut in spring.
• For rooting, plant several pieces in a box or in pots one at a time.
• Cover the container with transparent film, bag or glass.
• It is convenient to use a glass jar or a cut plastic bottle to cover individual containers.
• Take loose and nutritious soil.
• Don’t forget to ventilate and water as needed.
• When the roots appear, the plant will begin to grow, produce new leaves and can be replanted in open ground.

Nutwings are also propagated by layering. In the spring, the partially lignified stem is pressed to the soil surface, secured with a clamp, and a mound of earth is poured at the point of contact, the top should stick out. Water periodically. The young plant should be dug up and replanted next spring.

Choosing a suitable location and landing features

Illumination of the area

Even with ideal care, the plant develops poorly if it is planted in an unfavorable place. The bluebeard shrub must be grown in an open sunny area, protected from drafts. The shadow negatively affects the appearance: the leaves (especially variegated forms) and flowers are much paler.

Soil requirements

The soil is suitable well drained with a small admixture of sand. Nutwing normally tolerates the presence of lime in the soil, but the acidic reaction of the soil and stagnant moisture are detrimental to it.

In order for a karyopteris seedling to turn into a beautiful bush with sky-blue flowers, it must be planted correctly. The agricultural technology is simple, but following it will ensure rapid successful establishment.

When to plant

Stick to planting deadlines. Karyopteris seeds can be sown in open ground in the spring and even before winter. It is best to plant your own seedlings or seedlings purchased from a nursery in the spring from mid-April. If you purchased a seedling in the fall, it is advisable to send it for winter storage in a basement or cellar.

How to plant

• Make the size of the planting hole 5-10 cm deeper than the height of the seedling’s earthen ball and 2-3 times wider than it.
• After planting, the root collar should be level with the soil surface.
• We place a nutrient cushion of humus at the bottom, add coarse sand as drainage and place a seedling in the center.
• We fill the walls with earth taken from the hole, mixed with sand.
• We water, let the water soak in and add more soil if the seedling is bare.

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Caring for Karyopteris

Karyopteris flower planting and care photo

Hardy, drought-resistant nutcracker does not require scrupulous treatment. It needs to be watered, fed, and pruned occasionally. It is important to organize the wintering of the plant.

Watering

Waterlogging the soil has a much worse effect on the condition of the bush. It is quite content with atmospheric moisture and should be watered during periods of severe drought. Between procedures, the soil should dry out well.

Feeding

When grown in fertile soil, it is not necessary to feed Karyopteris. In the spring, to stimulate growth, you can give a share of nitrogen by adding a solution of chicken manure infusion or azofoska. During the growing season, they are fed with complex mineral fertilizers a couple of times; on the eve of flowering, potassium and phosphorus are needed.

Trimming

Inflorescences produce only shoots of the current year, so the main pruning is carried out in the spring. At the level of 12 cm, cut off all branches. Weak and frozen shoots can be cut almost to the ground. In autumn, faded panicles are simply removed. If after a few years the bush begins to bloom worse, the shoots are practically without leaves, it needs to be rejuvenated: the branches are cut off, leaving a height of about 5 cm, the bush is divided, and the sections are replanted.

Growing and care

Karyopteris is an extremely unpretentious plant to care for, and with this and its appearance, somewhat reminiscent of a peacock’s tail, it has gained popularity in many countries.
In our climate it is quite frost-resistant, but in cold snowless winters some, and sometimes all, branches can freeze. There is nothing wrong with this, since in the spring new shoots grow very quickly from the root. Although, if there is concern that the root may freeze, then it is better to cover the plant. The main reason for freezing of the root system is most often not frost, but too heavy soil in which water stagnates. The nutwing loves well-drained soil with the addition of sand. But it is not picky about soil pH and tolerates high lime content. It does not require very fertile soil, nor does it require moist soil.

Joint planting of Karyopteris cladonensis “Summer sherbet” and sedum

Karyopteris shrubs prefer to be planted in sunny places, especially for varieties with yellowish leaves, which look even more decorative in bright light. In partial shade, the leaves and flowers fade, which looks less attractive. Karyopteris is a drought-resistant plant, so water it moderately.

In spring, complex mineral fertilizer is applied. During the season, you can add a light solution of organic matter, but you shouldn’t be too zealous, karyopteris is not a big fan of rich soils and can easily grow and develop without additional nutrition.

Karyopteris in design (C. x clandonensis 'BlauerSplatz')

Karyopteris species

There are 15 plant species in the genus Karyopteris. Several have been cultivated, and Karyopteris hoary and Clandonensis have become widespread.

Gray Caryopteris incana

Gray Caryopteris incana

The 1.2 m tall shrub has slightly pubescent shoots that become woody over time. In nature, it is distributed in Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. Leaves are green-yellow. All parts of the plant exude a light citrus aroma. Blooms already in July.

Caryopteris clandonensis or cladonian, variegated Caryopteris clandonensis

Caryopteris clandonensis Caryopteris clandonensis Dark Knight photo

The result of hybridization of Mongolian and gray karyopteris. The bushes are meter long. The leaves have a double color: light green with darker edges, green-yellow, green-brown. The flowers are violet-blue. The winter-hardy plant has naturally spread throughout Northern China.

Forrest's Caryopteris Caryopteris forrestii

Forrest's Caryopteris Caryopteris forrestii

The flowers have a white-greenish or blue tint. The oval, oblong leaves of a green-gray hue are covered with villi.

Caryopteris glutinosa - one and a half meter bushes with long narrow leaves, the surface of which is sticky. The corollas are small, blue-purple in color. Flowering begins in September. The buds, ovary and young shoots are covered with pubescence.

Karyopteris Tangut is a bush about 2 m high. The shoots are pubescent, due to which they have a silvery sheen. The corollas are lilac-blue in color and form a dense, spike-shaped inflorescence.

Mongolian Caryopteris mongholica

Mongolian Caryopteris Caryopteris mongholica photo

Subshrub with a height of 30 cm to 1.5 m. Stems are erect with a brown, villous surface. The flowers are blue-violet.

Karyopteris varieties with photos and descriptions

Caryopteris Hint of Gold photo

Caryopteris Hint of Gold is not just any caryopteris, it is a special variety. It has luxurious large yellow-gold leaves. Very light and good branching. The combination with beautiful symmetrical blue flowers and golden leaves makes this plant unique. Hint of Gold reaches about 120 cm in height and 70 cm in width. Likes a position in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil. Resistant to frosts down to -18 ° C. Very well used as a garden plant, in group plantings with other shrubs, as a single plant or grown in containers.

Karyopteris clandonensis Heavenly Blue photo

Caryopteris clandonensis Heavenly Blue: This cold-tolerant, drought-tolerant garden hybrid is one of the best late-blooming small shrubs. It winters well, despite the concerns of many gardeners. Suitable even for beginners, as it does not require special care. Needs good light and drained soil. The height of the bush is up to 90 cm, width - 1.5 m.

Any damage to the shoots is eliminated by hard annual pruning, which promotes rapid flowering of the plants and prevents the development of a bare base. The bushes are dome-shaped and the new stems arch gracefully under the weight of thick, dark blue flower clusters that stand out against the soft green foliage.

Caryopteris Grand Blue Caryopteris clandonensis 'Grand Blue' photo

Caryopteris clandonensis 'Grand Blue' is a dense flowering dark blue shrub up to 1 m high, with light green leaves. It has a special blue-blue flower color. Blooms from August to September. It needs to be trimmed short in early spring; plant 5 bushes per sq. m. Suitable for growing in containers. The flowers have long stamens and are quite large in size. Like all Caryopteris, the foliage emits a turpentine odor when touched. Attracts attention when planted with shrubs or colorful perennials. It is very suitable for planting in large numbers in public areas or as the only shrub in medium sized gardens.

Caryopteris Caryopteris Sterling Silver photo

Hardy Bluebeard Sterling Silver: Silver foliage and bright blue flowers make Karyopteris Sterling Silver attractive all season long. Withstands frosts down to -28.9°C without shelter.

A few more varieties:

• Worcestershire gold has bright, lemon-lime leaves.
• Summer sherbet - attractive with bright green leaves with a white border;
• White surprise - also has a white border, but the green color is darker;

Planting Karyopteris

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Variegated Karyopteris
Always choose healthy seedlings with green foliage, preferably in containers. If there are weak and yellow leaves, the plant is either sick with something or is exhausted, it will be difficult for it to recover.

It is best to buy specimens without leaves (which have not yet become covered with leaves); these take root faster and better.

Karyopteris likes to grow in well-lit, sunny places; planting in partial shade is possible if the place is protected from the winds.

Regarding the land, you need to plant it on well-drained soil, you can plant it in the middle of a rocky garden.

The main thing is that there is no stagnation of water, and the soil is poor, gravelly, and not acidic. PH close to neutral.

Make sure the soil is light, crumbly, and without heavy areas.

Karyopteris is a fairly arid plant and tolerates lack of water well. Therefore, there is no stagnation - the roots will begin to rot.

Types and varieties

The most popular among flower growers are Karyopteris clandonensis and gray-haired.

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Klandonsky or Kladonsky is obtained by combining gray and Mongolian. It is also called variegated. The leaves are oval-shaped, with villi, often two-colored: yellow-green, greenish-brown. The bush is very dense, about a meter high, and has violet-blue inflorescences. It blooms from mid-summer to late autumn and is a frost-resistant crop.

"Summer sorbet" grows up to 80 cm. It has oblong-rounded leaves of a soft green hue, jagged edges, sometimes yellow in color. The flowers are bright blue, they are pleasing to the eye until the first frost.

Grey-haired - so named for the color of the leaves, they are grayish in color. The stems are covered with fluff and have a light citrus aroma. Height is about 1.5 meters. Small inflorescences smell like pine needles.

Tangut has a height of 0.5 meters to 2 meters. Oval-shaped leaves are located on gray stems with fluff. The flowers form a spike-shaped inflorescence of a blue-violet hue.

Mongolian is a semi-shrub plant up to 1.5 meters high. The shoots are straight, red-brown in color, with fibers. Inflorescences are blue-violet. Rarely found in natural conditions. This perennial blooms in its first year.

Forresta has pale blue or whitish-green inflorescences. Its leaves are elongated, rounded, gray-green in color, covered with fluff. It is an excellent honey plant.

Growing

To grow this flower, you need to purchase seeds or seedlings. The main thing when choosing a seedling is a visual inspection for damage. A good seedling has bright green leaves and a strong trunk; yellow foliage indicates a disease of the plant.

It is not recommended to purchase flowering crops; they take root less well. It is better to plant in the second half of April; if the seedling is purchased in the fall, you can plant it in a pot and store it in the cellar until spring.

It is better to plant in groups. You need to dig a hole that is slightly larger than the earthen root ball, and its width should be three times larger. It is necessary to place drainage in the hole; it can be sand and humus. Then insert the seedling into the hole, straighten the roots well, cover with soil and water.

It is important to know: karyopteris does not require frequent watering; it is a drought-resistant shrub.

It is better to plant seeds in the soil in late autumn or early spring. It is recommended to plant them in pots; they are scattered on top of the soil, without sprinkling. Then they cover it with film, creating a greenhouse. Periodically remove the film for ventilation and irrigation. After 2 weeks, seedlings appear; after 3 leaves appear, they are picked. At the beginning of May, seedlings can be planted in open soil.

Diseases and pests of karyopteris

Carypteris has excellent immunity and there are practically no problems with diseases and pests.

Overmoistening of the soil can destroy the plant: the roots will rot, the stems will begin to die. The bush is urgently dug up, the affected areas are cut off and the remaining part is treated with a fungicide. The plant is transplanted into a fresh planting hole with drainage. To destroy pathogenic microflora, the previous area is also disinfected with a fungicide.

Occasionally, bushes are affected by horse flies (grass bugs). Dark dots, holes in the form of circles and dotted lines appear on the leaves. The bushes should be treated with an insecticide. Since the pest larvae are in the soil, in the fall the tree trunk circle is dug up so that they end up on the surface and die.

Useful tips

Due to the compactness of the plant, it can be grown not only in open ground, but also in pots on a balcony or loggia. Don’t forget about lighting the area where the shrub grows, because if there is not enough light, it will quickly fade.

The shrub loses its attractiveness if planted in unsuitable soil, such as acidic soil. To prevent it from aging, it is necessary to cut the shoots to 5 cm at least once every 4 years.

When flowering is completed, a fruit is formed - a nut, it is divided into 4 parts, very often they germinate. In order to transplant them, you just need to wait until they get stronger.

Take note: if you cut flowering shoots and place them in a vase with water, they will delight you with their freshness and aroma for a long time.

Karyopteris is a beautiful shrub that goes well with many grains, herbs, and flowers. Its blue color and rounded shape are eye-catching. Each type has its own advantages and characteristics, do not forget to take them into account when creating compositions in your garden. To fully enjoy the delicate aroma of the flower, you can plant it next to your house or gazebo.

How a decorative flower looks and grows, see the following video:

Karyopteris blooming until autumn

A relatively unpretentious deciduous shrub that does not shy away from partial shade, can withstand frosts down to minus ten degrees and gives heavenly fragrant blooms from July to October.

Genus Karyopteris

Of more than a dozen species of deciduous shrubs of the genus Caryopteris, only two are grown in cultivation: “gray-haired” and “clandonensis”. Wild species are otherwise called “Nutwing” and are included in the Red Books due to their rapid disappearance. This is in the Paleogene, 55 million years ago, they grew freely. Since those times, a lot has changed on the planet. Karyopteris attracted the attention of flower growers with its abundant and long-lasting flowering of lilac-blue inflorescences, which emit a persistent pleasant aroma that can be felt even from a distance. But even in the absence of flowers, the shrub is decorative, thanks to the variability of the color of its carved leaves. “Hatching” from the buds in the spring, they are painted bright green. In autumn, when flower petals fall, the leaves express grief by turning yellow, brown or orange. Active branching and pliability make it easy to shape the bush, turning it into a compact work of art. The plant also owes its long flowering to its shoots, which are formed sequentially, politely giving way to each other towards the sun.

Karyopteris gray

Gray Caryopteris (Caryopteris incana) is a dense branching bush that grows up to one and a half meters in height. Its falling leaves are oblong-oval in shape, with a coarsely toothed edge, are very decorative and emit a scent. But the peak of perfection is a flowering bush, covered with abundant lilac inflorescences against a background of green foliage.

Karyopteris clandonensis

Karyopteris clandonensis (Caryopteris x clandonensis) is a joint creation of nature and human hands, crossing two botanical species: Mongolian karyopteris (Mongolian nutwing), listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, and hoary karyopteris. The hybrid tried to take the best from its parents. This is a fairly resilient species with a lush bush of flexible shoots growing up to a meter in height. A garden form developed from a hybrid, Karyopteris 'Sky Blue' has a compact bush form. Brown-dark green oval leaves are pubescent with hairs. From July to October, inflorescences of tubular lilac-bluish flowers bloom at the tops of the shoots. Karyopteris is unpretentious to soils, but in sandy, high humidity or acidified soil, it will grow sluggishly and avoid flowering. It can grow under the rays of the sun or in partial shade, but it really does not like a gust of wind, and therefore they select places for it where the nosy wind has no access. It can be planted in open ground in spring or autumn, so that the soil at the planting site is moist or well compacted, not forgetting to add compost or other organic fertilizers. If the soil is not too poor, then during the active growth period you can do without mineral supplements, because in the wild, karyopteris generally grows on rocky soil. Watering the soil is carried out only during the dry period.

Considering the branching nature of the plant, it is not worth saving on the free spaces between seedlings, leaving 1.5 or even 2 meters between them. Although the plant shows enviable resistance, winter frosts, enemy number 1, can overdo it and destroy the branches. In this case, the plant survives due to the many shoots that fearlessly emerge into the light of day in the spring, surrounding the base of the bush. To be on the safe side, it would be safer to cover the bush for the winter with leaves, straw, and spruce branches. The shrub is propagated by semi-lignified cuttings in August, rooting them in containers with a mixture of sand and peat, taken in equal quantities. When roots appear, the cuttings are transplanted into soil containing half earth and a quarter each of sand and peat. The strengthened seedlings are planted in open ground in the same fall or in the spring of next year.

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Luxurious karyopteris shrub in landscape design

Very often there is a space in a summer cottage that needs to be filled with something, but the gardener doesn’t know what. In this case, karyopteris or “blue fog” will be an excellent option for solving the problem. The uniqueness of this shrub is that it begins to bloom when its other neighbors in the flowerbed have already faded. Moreover, the decorative properties of the plant are used in landscape design, for example, to decorate alleys in England.

In total there are up to 15 varieties of culture. Each variety differs in color not only of flowers, but also of leaves. Variegated (variegated) exhibits look especially luxurious in the front garden.

Karyopteris - conqueror of women's hearts

A beautiful and well-kept yard is the calling card of the owners.
You can add royal charm to your estate with the help of the karyopteris bush, which blooms in all sorts of shades. The neat and compact shape of the crown resembles a hemisphere. On tall stems, which can reach from 30 to 150 cm, umbrella inflorescences look elegant. Depending on the variety, they come in 3 colors:

• blue (Summer Sorbet variety);
• blue or white-green (Forrest);
• purple (Tangut, Glutinous and Mongolian).

In most cases, the crop begins to bloom in August or July. A luxurious cloud of blue or purple color becomes an original decoration of the front garden right up to the frost. Moreover, a rich coniferous or citrus aroma emanates from the flowerbed. How to plant this natural decorative element of the garden?

Growing karyopteris or an unpretentious shrub with character

To plant nutwing (another name), choose a well-lit area or with light partial shade. In the shade, the shrub develops slowly, losing the bluish color of the leaves. In addition, the front garden must be protected from wind and drafts. Next, you need to understand the features of planting and caring for karyopteris. The choice of soil plays a key role in this matter.

The soil under the bush plant should:

• have a loose structure;
• be well drained, so sand is added to the planting hole;
• differ in slightly acidic or neutral reaction.

To neutralize the acidity of the soil, a sufficient amount of limestone is added to the bed. At the same time, the crop does not take root in sandy soils at all. If you plant a seedling in clayey, waterlogged or heavy soil, then very soon its root system will rot, and the bush itself will quickly disappear. Moreover, overwintering karyopteris in such conditions is disastrous, because the remaining water freezes its root.

The first signs of plant wilting or disease are yellowed and curled foliage. Also, these symptoms indicate that the seedling has not taken root in the new location.

Planting karyopteris seedlings

By adhering to the basic rules of planting a crop, the gardener will be able to avoid many problems with growing nutcracker. It is recommended to carry it out in the last days of April, when it is dry and warm outside. To do this, buy a healthy Karyopteris cladonian seedling or its seeds.

On the site, shrubs are placed in groups, 2-3 specimens in each hole. A distance of 50-60 cm is maintained between them. For dense planting, they are planted in increments of 15-20 cm.

Having marked the site, the gardener begins gardening work:

• digs a hole that is 1.5 times deeper and 3 times wider than the root system of the seedling;
• forms drainage from humus or sand at the bottom (up to 10 cm);
• places the young plant in the center of the hole;
• gently straightens the roots;
• fills them with soil mixture;
• waters abundantly.

It is recommended to plant seedlings in the spring. If a specimen is purchased in the fall, then it is placed in a temporary pot with soil mixture and sent to a cool room for storage.

When buying crop seedlings, it is important to choose non-flowering specimens. Such specimens are resistant to anomalous phenomena, so they quickly take root in a new place. In addition, the presence of yellowed leaves on the bush indicates that the plant is sick and does not need to be planted.

Planting karyopteris by seed is a labor-intensive process

Some people will want to sow karyopteris seeds in open ground.
The best time for this will be late autumn. Growing nutcracker by seedling method is carried out in early spring:

• seeds are sown in pots, simply scattering them on the surface of the ground;
• spray the planting with a spray bottle;
• covered with film, which is removed every day for ventilation and watering;
• when sprouts appear, the “mini-greenhouse” is removed;
• Picking is carried out when the plant has formed 3-4 full leaves.

The seedlings are transferred to the flowerbed in the first half of May. At the same time, they adhere to the planting rules as for seedlings. Water the area only in dry weather, adding a moderate amount of liquid.

Caring for karyopteris - creating a beauty salon for culture

Although the shrub from the Clearflower family is unpretentious to the soil, it still needs to be fed periodically. For this purpose, complex mineral fertilizers are used. At the same time, organic matter (humus or compost) is added every month to stimulate the growth and development of the plant.

It is worth knowing that with regular application of mineral mixtures, a lot of salts settle in the ground. These compounds disrupt the soil microflora, suppressing the activity of its microorganisms. The concentration of salts can only be reduced through irrigation.

One of the most important procedures for caring for a shrub will be its timely pruning, which is carried out every year in the spring.
This event is extremely necessary, because only young shoots will form flower ovaries. The principles of this process are simple:

1. The shoots are shortened in March, when the plant has not yet begun to actively develop.
2. Dry stems are harvested in the fall immediately after flowering.
3. If the branches of the bush have frozen over the winter, they are cut back to the very base.
4. Every 4 years a rejuvenating “haircut” is carried out. The height of such shoots is left at a height of 10 cm from the ground.

All these procedures will help create a compact and beautifully shaped bush that will look amazing in the flowerbed. However, to create an original landscape design, it is important to choose the appropriate variety of crop.

Karyopteris clandonensis - a regular visitor to Moscow dachas

In nature, there are about 15 species of nutwing. However, in the northern zone of Russia only 2 of them are used. The most popular are “Caryopteris incana” or gray-haired, as well as Caryopteris clandonensis, which was obtained by crossing the Mongolian and gray-haired varieties. On its tall stems (up to 1 m), dark green leaves with original pubescence are located opposite. The apical inflorescences bloom in July and fascinate all passers-by with their lilac-blue buds.

Although the Clandon variety tolerates wintering well, in more severe climatic conditions it is recommended to transfer the bushes to containers. The seedlings are placed in cool rooms (6-10˚C), but with sufficient lighting.

A distinctive feature of some varieties of nutwing is not only the original inflorescence, but also the amazing color of the foliage. Particularly popular is the variegated karyopteris variety, which surprises with its decorative properties.

By planting this variety of shrub, gardeners will receive:

• luxurious bush 80-100 cm high;
• a deep blue bouquet of flowers that will decorate the club until the cold weather;
• prototype of Benjamin's variegated ficus.

Its oval leaves have serrated edges and come in 2 vibrant shades. In landscape design, dark green leaves with yellow edging look incredible.

The main pests of nutcrackers are horse flies, which leave broken lines on the leaves. Treating the foliage with a fungicide will help get rid of insects. At the same time, excess moisture in the soil can lead to rotting of the root system.

Apart from the listed features of planting and care, karyopteris does not need anything else. But with the help of this shrub, the gardener will be able to decorate empty areas of the garden, which often spoil the landscape design of the dacha.

Propagation of karyopteris by cuttings - video

Varieties and types

Karyopteris clandonensis or cladonensis was obtained from the combination of several species. This species is a luxurious dense shrub. The leaves are oval-shaped with slight pubescence, dark green in color. The flowers are bluish in color. Flowering begins in the second half of summer until the first frost. The height of the plant is about a meter. Survives winters well. This species is used in gardening flower beds in England.

Karyopteris variegated "Summer sorbet" this species was obtained as a result of a mutation of another species of karyopteris "Kew Blue". This variety reaches a height of almost 80 cm. The leaves are oval-oblong, deciduous bush. The color of the leaves is light green, sometimes with a yellowish edging along the jagged edges. Inflorescences are deep blue. Flowers appear on the edges of the shoots and begin to bloom at the end of summer and before the onset of cold weather.

Prefers loose, neutral soil. It survives winters well, but if the winter is snowless, then the plant needs shelter. In spring, it is necessary to prune the bush to form new shoots.

Karyopteris "Worchester gold" is not a tall compact shrub that forms a ball. Leaves are greenish bronze in color. The inflorescences are bluish turning into blue. This bush reaches about one and a half meters in height. The smell of the inflorescences appears when touched, a pleasant coniferous one.

Flowering occurs in autumn and lasts until cold weather. Easily tolerates small frosts down to -3 degrees. Prefers sunny areas, but tolerates light shade. Prefers soil well saturated with lime. It survives hot weather well.

Karyopteris gray or gray-haired, as it is popularly called. This bush is deciduous, reaching a height of about 1.5 meters. The leaves are oval, elongated on top of the leaves with an olive hue, and on the inside they have a bronze hue with an unobtrusive, pleasant pine scent. The inflorescences are tubular and shield-shaped. Flowering begins in autumn.

Description of the plant

Nutwing belongs to the Lamiaceae family, and previously to the Verbenaceae family. Plants with erect shoots. The leaf blades are arranged in opposite order on the branches. The foliage is simple and lanceolate in shape. Flowers are formed both in the axils of the leaves and at the ends of the stems. The corolla of the flower is short and tubular in shape. Nutwing belongs to the group of compact shrubs. The diameter of the plant, which has a hemispherical or spherical shape, is 100-150 cm. Capriopteris is notable for the fact that its flowering time occurs in autumn, when most of the plants are already preparing to go into dormancy. The foliage on the shoots is attached oppositely. There are teeth along the edge of the gray-green leaf. At the end of the summer season, buds form in the axils of the foliage, which subsequently open. Nutwing blooms profusely in bright blue tones, making a beautiful sight. When choosing a place for this bush, you need to take into account its size. In addition, the plant must be provided with normal lighting. An open and sunny area with sufficient free space is what capiopreris needs. The bush must be protected from stagnation of moisture, otherwise its root system will suffer greatly. If you plant a plant on your site in the spring, you can expect it to bloom in the fall.