Bluebeards, the common name of Caryopteris, is an easy to grow, full-sun plant that blooms a stunning blue to violet color from late summer into the early autumn. These perennials are like candy for pollinators and mature at 3 to 4 feet tall. With a gently rounded and naturally open shape, they require almost no maintenance except a hard cutback once in the late fall. Did I mention they are deer resistant? That alone makes them an excellent choice. Young plants have fully herbaceous stems but they usually acquire slightly woody stems at the base of the plants as they mature and are considered a small shrub. Caryopteris has many characteristics in common with Buddleia species, or Butterfly Bush, but is smaller and has a less coarse form. Bluebeards are a great garden companions to Echinacea, Autmun Joy Sedum, Joe Pye Weed and many other sun-loving pollinators or natives.