The color blue is definitely not the most common among flowering plants. In fact, among all the flowering plants on our planet, only about 10% can be termed blue.
Besides being generally beautiful, blue flowers are warm-toned. They are sure to give any landscape a facelift while creating a calming ambiance. The color blue traditionally represents peace and serenity. Also, it is a dreamy color that is reminiscent of some of nature’s best features.
This article gives an overview of various types of blue flowers. So, if the day comes when you have to choose a blue flower for your garden or buy blue flowers for your friend, this should help.
As the name hints, bellflowers come with small-sized bell-shaped flowers. Their blooms come in various colors, including blue, white, purple, violet, and pink. But of all these colors, blue is the most common and best known.
Bellflowers typically come with long stems. So, it is no surprise that they are used as cut flowers and staples in interior vase arrangements.
Dwarf bellflower varieties are perfect as a groundcover. They also grow well in window boxes, and as front-of-the-border plants with their elegant and profuse bloom.
To grow bellflowers successfully, you need to plant them in well-drained soil and expose them to full sun or partial shade.
Bellflowers do best in zones 3 to 9.
Birdbill dayflowers bloom into deep blue flowers with 3 petals. The flowers come out of green bracts that look like a duck’s bill or a cocoon.
True to their name, the flowers of birdbill dayflowers only bloom for a day. However, they produce more than one bloom, and each one appears at different times. So, the flowers do not appear and disappear at the same time.
You may choose to grow your birdbill dayflowers in containers, or you may plant them in-ground. Whichever you opt for, ensure you plant them in moist, well-drained soil. Birdbill dayflowers do well in full sun or partial shade, and they are best grown in zones 7 to 10.
As expected, blue daisies have the typical daisy flower shape—flat, disc-shaped blooms with blue petals in rays around a central yellow button.
Blue daisies find various ornamental uses, especially in garden design and arrangement. They are a favorite with gardeners because of their relative ease of growing, low maintenance, and resistance to weather changes.
Blue daisies thrive in moist, well-drained soil, be it neutral, alkaline, or acidic. They do well in full sun, but on hot afternoons, partial shade is preferable. Blue daisies should be moderately watered over their growing period.
Blue daisies are best grown in zones 8 to 11.
Blue False Indigo
At one point, blue false indigo was used as cloth dye by early European settlers and Native Americans. Of course, this application is a testament to the intensity of the blue color of their flowers.
Blue false indigo has small blue flowers along the length of its stems. It is best grown in well-drained soil and will do just fine in full sun or partial shade.
Blue false indigo is pretty sensitive to disruption. So, once you plant them, do not try to replant them. If you do, you may lose the plants.
Blue false indigo thrives in zones 3 to 9.
Hibiscus comes in various colors, including blue, pink, yellow, red, and white. Of all its colors, blue is the rarest.
Blue hibiscus blooms in all seasons, except winter. So, you can have it in your garden almost all through the year. If you check your local garden centers, you may find a hardy variety that can grow even in winter.
For optimal growth, blue hibiscus should be grown in well-drained soil. These plants prefer exposure to full sunlight, and they grow better when watered regularly.
Blue hibiscus grows best in zones 9 to 11.
Blue Mist Shrub
Blue Mist shrubs bloom small-sized blue flowers on many upright stems that create a mist-like appearance. Hence, the name. Blue Mist shrubs may also be called Caryopteris.
Blue Mist shrub blooms contain a lot of nectar, and as expected, honey bees and other pollinators are attracted to them for that reason.
Blue Mist shrubs are best grown in well-drained soil. They can thrive in full sun or partial shade and are suited for growing zones 5 to 9.
Blue Mist shrubs blossom in late summer. But to ensure they keep blossoming, ensure you trim them when spring comes.
Orchids are available in various colors, but the blue variants are one of the rarest. Besides color variations, orchids come in diverse shapes. However, they are generally exotic and beautiful.
Since blue orchids are uncommon, having them in your garden offers some uniqueness to your landscape.
Blue orchids, like every other orchid, do not grow in just any soil.
Drainage is vital for blue orchids. Thankfully, the mixes mentioned above drain well. Water your blue orchids moderately, else they suffer root rot.
While blue orchids prefer intense light, direct sunlight may burn their foliage. So, expose them to full sunlight, but shade them when the sun gets hot.
If you intend to grow blue orchids in containers, opt for transparent containers as they will let the roots receive daylight.
Blue stars have star-shaped flowers, hence their name. Each bloom of blue stars is tiny. But together, they can create an expansive bloom carpet.
As a beginner, you may want to start out with blue stars; they are low maintenance. Blue stars grow in all types of soil, although they prefer neutral ones. They are drought-resistant, so you do not have to worry about watering them constantly.
Blue stars need a combination of full sun and partial shade. They typically bloom towards the end of spring or at the start of summer.
Blue stars are hardy in zones 3 to 9.
Brunnera blooms dainty pale blue flowers with 5 petals. This plant is considered an early bird amongst early bloomers – Brunnera blooms just around the start of spring.
Unlike the others we have discussed, Brunnera does not need full sun or partial shade to survive.
So, if your garden barely gets direct sunlight, this plant should be ideal for you.
Brunnera plants are best grown in moist, well-drained soil, and they are hardy in growing zones 3 to 7.
Besides the flowers, the heart-shaped leaves of Brunnera plants add some dimension to the overall elegance of your garden. Get a variety with multicolored leaves, and you can make your garden pop even more.
Clematis is a climbing vine; it is perfect for decorating walls, fences, and other garden structures. You can often find Clematis climbing up small trees, trellises, and mailbox posts.
Clematis blooms are available in various colors, including blue. They are said to be elegant when paired with climbing roses of different colors.
For the best results, plant your Clematis in moist, well-drained soil with exposure to full sun.
Clematis plants are hardy in growing zones 3 to 9.
Columbines are perennial plants with dark green foliage and blooms that come in different colors. Their foliage typically turns maroon when fall comes. So, they add more than just colorful blooms to gardens.
The blooms of Columbines are bell-shaped. They come with colored sepals, which adds even more to the vividness of gardens.
Hummingbirds love Columbine blooms. So, if you wish to attract some Hummingbirds to your garden, consider this plant.
For the best outcomes, grow your Columbine in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Columbines can also grow in partial shade, and overall, they prefer mild climatic conditions.
In winter, you can offer some protection to your Columbines by laying some mulch or fertilizer on the soil. Doing this insulates the roots and maintains soil moisture.
Columbines thrive best in growing zones 3 to 8.
Cornflowers come with unusual 10-petal blooms. The petals of cornflower blooms are trumpet-like and somewhat ruffled.
The blue blossoms of cornflowers are sure to raise the visual appeal of any garden. But beyond that, they attract bees and butterflies, which can add some dimension to garden aesthetics.
If you intend to grow cornflowers, sow the seeds in fall or at the start of spring. Avoid starting them indoors because they are sensitive to transplanting.
Cornflowers need well-drained soil and full sun for optimal growth. In the absence of sufficient full sun, cornflowers may not bloom regularly.
Cornflowers are hardy in zones 2 to 11.
Delphiniums or blue delphiniums are common in cottage-style gardens and wildflower bouquets. They grow tall, elegant stems and burst into chic blue blooms. So, you may have to provide some support for them.
Blue delphiniums grow best in well-drained soil. They need full sun but do better in partial shade when the weather is too hot. Besides disliking heat, blue delphiniums do not do well in windy or rainy conditions.
Blue delphiniums grow best in zones 3 to 7.
True to their name, desert bluebells blossom into brightly colored, blue, bell-shaped flowers. They are low maintenance, drought-tolerant, and easy to grow.
Desert bluebells grow best in well-drained sandy soil. They enjoy full sun and may not survive in moist conditions.
Since desert bluebells are drought-tolerant, you do not have to water them regularly. This makes them a top choice for xeriscape gardens.
Desert bluebells thrive best in growing zones 7 to 10.
‘Empire Blue’ Butterfly Bush
‘Empire Blue’ butterfly bushes give rise to pale blue flowers with an orange center and lance-shaped leaves. Their flowers are pleasantly scented, so it is no surprise they attract various animals, including butterflies, bees, bunnies, and hummingbirds.
To grow the ‘Empire Blue’ butterfly bush, sow the seeds in well-drained soil in a location exposed to full sun. ‘Empire Blue’ butterfly bushes are hardy in zones 5 to 10.
The value of flax goes beyond just its beautiful blooms. Flax can also be used in food and fiber production; you can get linen and linseed oil from flax. So, it is a valuable plant to have in your garden.
Blooms from flax only last for 1-2 days. So, to enjoy the beautiful flowers for an extended time, sow many flax plants.
Flax plants need well-drained soil and full sun to grow properly. While they can thrive in various soil types, they prefer sandy soil. Flax grows best in zones 3 to 9.
The flowers of Forget-Me-Nots are too elegant to forget. Their name actually comes from an ancient legend that states that whoever wears the flowers will always be remembered by their loved ones.
Forget-Me-Not blooms typically have yellow centers. But the centers may also be white or pink.
Forget-Me-Nots require minimal care to survive. They grow best in moist, well-drained soil and partial shade.
The tiny blooms of Forget-Me-Nots produce seeds that stick to fur and clothing and spread readily. So, you can have many plants in your garden within a short time.
Forget-Me-Nots are hardy in zones 3 to 8.
Grape hyacinths produce tiny blue bulbs of flowers, which look like grapes. This is why they are called grape hyacinths.
The stunning blue form of grape hyacinth blooms is perfect for various types of landscapes. Grape hyacinth flowers are also effective at attracting birds to gardens. So, you get a combination of beautiful birds and chic flowers in your space.
Plant grape hyacinths in well-drained soil exposed to full sun or partial shade.
Grape hyacinths are best grown in zones 4 to 8. They are typically combined with yellow daffodils, and they spread pretty fast. So, you may want to restrict them to the spot where you want only blue flowers.