Bearded Beard: This is what the ideal location looks like

The bearded beard (Caryopteris x clandonensis) impresses with its magnificent, bright blue flowers and develops into a pretty ornamental shrub in the right location. But what should the optimal location look like?

light and temperature

Beard flowers prefer wind-protected, warm and sunny locations, the sunnier the place, the lusher the bloom. You can in one sunny bed as well as in the protection of neighboring shrubs, in front of a south-facing wall or as a background plant in one rock garden.

The space in front of a wall has the advantage that it is protected from drafts and the wall radiates valuable heat at night. Companion plants with similar heat requirements can also benefit from this

lavender, sage, the sacred herb or drought-tolerant grasses. In the right location, the beard flower requires little care. Shady areas are unsuitable, here they would lose their flowering splendor.

soil condition

In the bed

As far as the condition of the soil is concerned, the bearded beard is not quite as picky, provided it is dry rather than too wet.

What properties should it have:

• should be loose, well drained and humic
• alkaline to slightly acidic, PH value from 6.5 to 7
• Improving the permeability of heavy loamy soils
• by mixing in plenty of sand or gravel
• If the soil is too heavy, an elevated planting place is recommended
• good water drainage guaranteed
• Improve light sandy soils with high-quality potting soil

Soil that is too wet or waterlogging causes the roots of the bearded beard to rot relatively quickly. This often leads to problems, especially in winter. This ornamental tree does far better in a dry gravel bed than in a permanently damp location, e.g. B. near a body of water.

In the bucket

It is similar with the substrate in a bucket culture. Here, too, permeability and good drainage are important criteria. What else should you pay attention to?

• preferably use high-quality mineral potting soil
• with mineral components such as expanded clay or gravel
• thereby better permeability and structural stability of the substrate
• or make your own mix
• made from equal parts mature compost, garden soil and sand

location in winter

In the bed

Despite climate change and milder winters, beard flowers are sensitive to cold. In regions with a wine-growing climate, an outdoor location is not a problem even in winter. Here the bearded beard can usually even spend the winter unprotected outdoors. But what about particularly cold regions?

• Do not hibernate without adequate shelter
• Freezing back individual plant parts normally
• older specimens tolerate sub-zero temperatures better
• To protect against major damage, protect the root area
• by covering with dry leaves and brushwood
• Wrap above-ground parts with fleece, jute or bubble wrap

In order to additionally protect the bearded beard from the snares of winter, it is advisable to only cut it back in spring and to remove visible damage caused by frost.

In the bucket

Winter hardiness is even more limited in the bucket, because the substrate can freeze much faster due to the smaller volume of soil. The right protection is all the more important.

• safest protection against frost, move to a frost-free location
• bright and cool with temperatures between five and ten degrees
• an unheated conservatory, basement or a frost-free garage
• protected overwintering outdoors in regions with rather mild winters
• the ideal location in front of a warm house wall
• place bucket on wooden pallet to protect against soil moisture and cold
• Wrap the bucket and parts of the plant above ground with fleece or jute

frequently asked Questions