Hint of Gold Bluebeard

Hint of Gold Bluebeard (Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Hint of Gold') is a compact, bushy deciduous shrub about 1m tall and wide that sets vibrant lime-gold leaves against deep blue, fluffy flowers from summer to autumn. That contrast is the whole appeal: foliage that glows in the sun, with flowers sitting against it like blue pompoms. It is hardy, tidy and small enough for a pot.

Why you'll love it

• Gold leaves, blue flowers. A lime-gold leaf with deep blue flowers is a rare pairing in one shrub, and it lights up a corner from spring to autumn.
• Late season flowers. Blooms open from summer and carry through autumn, when many shrubs have finished.
• Compact size. At 1m tall and wide it suits small gardens, narrow borders and large pots.
• Frost hardy. It is rated to about -5C once established. In cold climates it drops its leaves and reshoots in spring.
• Loved by pollinators. The blue flowers draw bees and butterflies into the garden late in the season.

Where it works best

Informal hedging. Plant 80cm apart in a single row for a loose, flowering hedge about 1m high. The shrubs just meet as they mature, and a trim after flowering keeps the line neat.

Cottage and mixed borders. Gold foliage brightens the middle of a border, and the blue flowers pair well with pink, white and silver plants.

Patios and pots. One plant fits a pot at least 40cm wide, giving a seasonal feature beside a door or on a terrace.

Growing Hint of Gold Bluebeard in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the brightest gold foliage; in part shade the leaves turn greener. It is frost hardy to about -5C once established and suits temperate and Mediterranean gardens. In cold climates it loses its leaves in winter, so expect a bare shrub until spring.

Soil. Any well drained soil will do. Avoid sites where water sits in winter.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established, usually around 12 weeks, and again during extended hot, dry periods. Apply a slow release fertiliser in spring.

Pruning. Prune after flowering to keep the growth dense, shape the plant and encourage new flowering shoots.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Hint of Gold Bluebeard as tube stock and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tube stock is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and it is the economical way to plant a hedge. The potted packs arrive with more leaf already made.

The tube comes from our grower and is not always in stock. When it shows as sold out, the grower has none right now, and the notify button on this page will email you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Deciduous shrubs
• Hedging and screening plants
• Bee and butterfly friendly plants
• Alternative hedging plants

Common questions

Will Hint of Gold Bluebeard lose its leaves?

In cold climates, yes. It drops its leaves in winter and reshoots in spring, and the plant stays frost hardy to about -5C.

Will it keep its gold colour in shade?

Leaf colour is best in full sun. In part shade the foliage turns greener, though the plant still grows and flowers.

When should I prune it?

Prune after flowering to maintain dense growth and encourage new flowering shoots.

When does it flower?

From summer into autumn, with deep blue, fluffy flower clusters.