Caryopteris clandonensis 'Dark Knight'
Good Qualities:
Year 1:
Great blue color (5); Outstanding plant overall. The stems were thick and loaded with blooms. The plants bloomed al summer and almost every stem was useable; Very fragrant. Holds well; Late flowering; Interesting little blue flowers; Form, productive; Beautiful!! Lasts forever in a vase; Heat tolerant.
Year 2:
Good blue color (3); Comes late in season. Long stems; Good fragrance; Late season, no pests.
Problems:
Year 1:
Too short in first year (2); Odd smell of foliage. Growth habit is hard to deal with; Didn't start flowering until late in the season.
Year 2:
Take a while to get established; Curved stems, strange scent; Weak plant in 1999, grew better in 1998; Too short, shatters.
Trial Data
Year 1
| Yield (stems/plant) | Stem Length (inches) | Market Appreciation Rating (1) | Repeat Again Rating (1) | Ease of Cultivation Rating (1) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 11.8 | 16.5 | 3.9 | 4.4 | 4.7 |
(1) Data shown are from those respondents who harvested stems. Some respondents may not have harvested stems because they were too short. Flowering stems may be longer next year after plants are established. See comments section for more details.
(2) 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.
Year 2
| Yield (stems/plant) | Stem Length (inches) | Market Appreciation Rating (1) | Repeat Again Rating (1) | Ease of Cultivation Rating (1) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 16.1 | 28.2 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
(1) Data shown are from those respondents who harvested stems. Some respondents may not have harvested stems because they were too short. Flowering stems may be longer next year after plants are established. See comments section for more details.
(2) 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.
Supplier
North Creek Nursery (NC)
388 North Creek Rd.
Landenberg, PA 19350
610-255-0100
FAX 610-255-4762
Comments:
Year 1:
Even after the flowers end, the stems could be used as a filler due to the complementary effect made by the tiny seeds and gray-green foliage. It was a big hit with the florists; We have Blue Beard on our farm also. Good seller; Hope it overwinters so we can get a second shot at it. Only useful in colonial arrangements, etc.; Branchy and not very attractive. Flowers open and turn brown quickly; I wish this one would make it through the winter but I doubt it. I loved it! Such a pretty flower and lasted so long in a vase. Still going strong when frost came.
Year 2:
I knew that one wouldn’t make it. Darn!!! I really liked it!; Performance excellent. Perenniality excellent, color good.