Add Rich Color To Your Garden With Blue Perennial Flowers
By Kathy Burns-Millyard
Blue flowers are some of the most striking plants
around and can add a rich splash of color to any garden. Plant
them in a cluster of all blue or mix them in with other flowers
for a rainbow of color.
When planting flowers, it is important to remember to follow
the instructions on the tag for the plant. Always buy plants that
will thrive in the conditions in which you intend to grow them.
A plant that loves sun won't do well in a shady area and you will
only be disappointed with the results.
When planning your garden, be aware of the bloom time of the
flowers. Planting perennials with different bloom times near each
other will insure a garden that has blooms all season long. Remember
also to plan for the height of the plants, putting the taller
ones in the back.
Below is a list of favorite blue flowering plants that you might
want to consider for your garden:
Polemonuim, Blue Pearl - A compact plant with deep sky
blue flowers that grows to 10". It blooms in late spring
to early summer. Plant in partial shade and in well drained soil.
Blue Sea Holly - This dramatic plant has a lavender
blue cone like flower with long spiked petals. It grows to 30"
and is a favorite for dried flower arrangements. Plant in full
sun - blooms in mid to late summer.
Delphinium, Butterfly Blue - Bright blue delicate flowers
adorn this plant that blooms in early to mid summer. It reaches
10" tall and prefers a sunny location with rich moist soil.
Campanula, Blue Carpet - Bright blue to lilac colored
flowers bloom for weeks in the middle of summer. This low growing
perennial grows to 4" and prefers full sun with well drained
soil.
Penstemon, Blue Buckle - This plant has tubular shaped
blooms in blue to purple and flowers in mid summer to early fall.
It grows to 15" and likes well drained soil with full or
partial sun.
Hydrangea, Nikko Blue - Gigantic clumps of blue flowers
adorn this shrub for most of the summer. In the fall, the flowers
turn a golden color. This plant is a new variety that prefers
rich soil but will grow in shade, partial sun or full sun.
Vinca - Medium blue flowers and glossy green leaves
form a carpet that grows to about 6" tall and blooms in mid
spring. This plant will grow in most soil conditions, in the shade
or sun.
Ajuga, Bronze Beauty - This short bushy plant has spikes
of blue flowers that grows quickly. Great as a ground cover or
in raised beds. It blooms in spring and prefers a shady area.
Scabiosa, Butterfly Blue - A bushy perennial with lavender
blue flowers that bloom from June to October. This plant likes
full sun and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Verbena, Babylon Blue - Blue purple flowers petals adorn
this plant that blooms in early spring. Great for window boxes
and planters.
Additional information and resources for this article can be
found at: http://www.garden-source.com/archives/2005/05/24/
add-rich-color-to-your-garden-with-blue-perennial-flowers/
A beautiful blue wildflower picture can be found at: http://www.garden-source.com/archives/2005/06/02/
blue-wildflower-in-kathys-garden/
© 2005 This article is provided courtesy of The Garden Source
Network - http://www.garden-source.com