Family

Lamiaceae

Description

‘Arthur Simmons’ is one of the original and most enduring cultivars of bluebeard, a woody subshrub prized for its lavender-blue flowers that bloom in abundance when most of the garden begins to fade. Selected in the 1930s by British plantsman Arthur Simmonds, this hybrid offers fine-textured, silvery-green foliage, a compact upright habit, and excellent drought tolerance once established. Its late-season blooms attract bees, butterflies, and overflies, making it a valuable component of pollinator gardens and mixed borders. It thrives in well-drained soils and full sun, with minimal maintenance required beyond seasonal pruning to encourage flowering on new growth.

 

Caryopteris x clandonensis is a hybrid between C. incana (native to China and Japan) and C. mongholica (native to Central Asia), and does not occur in the wild. It has become a popular ornamental across temperate gardens for its resilience, aromatic foliage, and consistent bloom.

Bloom Time

August to October