Caryopteris incana DC ARBEY BAR PP 33805 Lychnis whose early spring foliage emerges

whose early spring foliage emerges dark raspberry before maturing to bronze

This beast has done far more than survive

This is a true bio plant (botanical interest only)

Dry soil in the winter is the key to survival in marginal hardiness zones

It is valuable for this late season floral display and for supporting late season pollinators especially migrating Monarch Butterflies

Caryopteris incana DC ARBEY BAR PP 33805 Lychnis whose early spring foliage emergesFor decades, I've trialed a number of pink flowered bluebeard selections, and not a single one showed any winter hardiness. That was before we planted the dazzling Caryopteris incana 'DC Arbey Bar', which, unfortunately sounds more like a fast food restaurant in the nation's capital. This dwarf subshrub forms a tight 2' tall x 3' wide mound, clothed with unusual round foliage. In September (NC) each stem is adorned with a stacked series of whorled