Blue Balloon

Season Overview

Description

The beard flowers (Caryopteris) are a plant genus within the labiate family. The hybrid Caryopteris x clandonensis, which is used as an ornamental plant in the garden, was created by crossing two species of beard flowers. Beard flowers are perennial deciduous semi-shrubs with an upright growth habit and reach heights of 70 cm to 130 cm. The flowers of the bearded flower are intense light blue to violet, but there are varieties that bloom light pink. The flowering period extends from the end of July to November. The bearded flower "Blue Balloon" is a spherical, dense, compact shrub that can grow up to 130 cm tall and wide. The brightly colored, large flowers glow an intense blue from August to October.

Growing tips

The best time for planting is spring, so that the bearded flower can root well. The bearded flower thrives best in warm, sunny and sheltered locations with humus-rich, dry and loose soil. Heavy, clayey or very moist soils should be avoided. Beard flowers have a low nutrient requirement, so a little compost in spring is completely sufficient. Light winter protection with a layer of mulch (autumn leaves, bark mulch or brushwood) is recommended. The bearded flower blooms on the annual shoots, which is why it needs to be pruned back to a third of its original size every year. Pruning is carried out in spring at the end of March to April, when late frosts are no longer expected. The Blue Ballon bearded flower is very easy to care for. It loves sunny locations and thrives in any garden soil. However, waterlogging should be avoided. The plant needs annual pruning and fertilizer in spring. Blue Balloon can also be cultivated as a container plant.

Details

Germination temperature

20 °C (Degrees Celsius)

Plant distance

90 cm

Row spacing

90 cm

Seeding depth

1 cm