Quick one today.
I have a Caryopteris ‘Sunshine Blue’ that has literally been relocated five times over the past five years. First it outgrew its location, then it didn’t get enough sun, then I didn’t like that it was in too prominent of a location and sprung to life too late in spring … and I don’t remember the reasons for the other moves but I’m sure they were more than valid.
Now I’m ready for move number six. Here is how she looks today:
Overall size is super small as I know it can get close to three feet high and wide. We’re talking about a foot and a half current day. The blooms are also very weak as I’ve seen these blooms their butts off and it is oh so welcome this time of year.
So without a thought of where it was going to be situated next, I dug it up and immediately new what the problem was:
If you have read this blog before you aren’t surprised. Poor drainage … let me rephrase that “brutally bad drainage”. I can’t believe it performed even this well considering this deciduous shrub needs a well drained soil. How I ever moved it here is beyond my comprehension but the deer really did leave it alone. Must be that sweet lemony scent of the leaves.
So after some willy nilly careful planning, I found a new home for the drenched plant:
Six times is a charm, right?
It better be, those blooms are a sight for sore eyes and I need more of them:
Good thing you dug it up. I wish it well in its new location. The blue flowers are indeed beautiful.
Hi John, I don’t have the ‘Sunshine Blue’ variety or deal with
damp clay soil, but have a Caryopteris that has been growing for at least 5 years. Have to prune it back nearly in half each late winter/ early spring, as its growing habit is much
like a Butterfly bush.
My point is.. they tend not to be a long-lived plant and generally loose their appeal after 4-5 years.
Let’s hope you have better luck this time. 🙂