This is a genus of seven herbaceous plants or small shrubs in the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to East Asia. They can grow 3 to 13 feet tall and 3 to 10 feet wide, They generally prefer a sandy loam with good drainage and full sun. They may die down in colder winter areas but may be semi-evergreen in warmer winter zones. Drought-tolerant once established The blue or white flowers are generally arranged in clusters around the upper leaf segments. Cultivars in pink and purple are available. Flowers attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The most popular of the bluebeards can be used in the border of pollinator gardens for fall color. Larger species can be used as low hedges and shrub borders. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: If not properly drained, root rot and crown rot can occur. No significant diseases or insect pests.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
3 feet-6 feet; 6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 13 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 16 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Mounding; Multi-stemmed; Rounded
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Deciduous; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Blue; Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Crenate; Entire
Leaf value
Fragrant
Leaf size
1-3 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Plants in this genus have opposite, simple ovate to lanceolate leaves with an entire or crenate margin. Foliage emits an aroma similar to eucalyptus when crushed.
Flower color
Blue; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Abundant blue flowers in terminal and axillary clusters bloom in late summer into early fall.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Cream/Tan
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit value
Good Dried
Fruit detail
Four-valved capsule containing four seeds.
Stem detail
Square stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Southern Siberia to China and Temperate East Asia
Wildlife value
Attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Hummingbirds; Pollinators
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Attracts Pollinators; Easy to Grow; Fragrance
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Capsule
Uses (ethnobotany)
Use in a pollinator garden or as a low border or in a compact garden.