Botanical Name: Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight'
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Common Name: Dark Knight Caryopteris  
Plant photo of: Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight'
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Shrub

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Blue, Lavender

 

Flower Season

Summer, Fall

 

Leaf Color

Grey Green

 

Bark Color

Brown

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Low, Medium, Extra in Summer

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish

 

Accenting Features

Fragrance, Showy Flowers, Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Entry, Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Foundation, Patio, Raised Planter, Walkways

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Hedge, Mass Planting, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Butterflies

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:

  • Description

  • Notes

'Dark Knight' features a profuse, shrub-covering bloom of fragrant, deep bluish-purple flowers that appear at the ends of branches from July to September. Oval to lance-shaped, dull green leaves have silvery undersides and is aromatic when brushed with a hand. Flowers are very attractive to butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. May be found sold under that name 'Black Knight.' Grows about 2 feet tall and wide.
A nice addition to a sunny shrub or perennial border; also makes a nice hedge. Prefers full to part sun and well drained soil. Over-watering tends to make the plant rangy and may encourage lots of little seedlings. Wood often does not survive the winter, and so pruning back hard in late winter to early spring is recommended; it will also help to keep it tidy. Caryopteris is both deer and rabbit resistant. Attracts bees and butterflies. If over-watered, caryopteris may grow taller and be more sprawlish.