Types of Blue Flowers & Plants

Blue flowers are a bit of an oddity. In gardens overflowing with reds, oranges, yellows, purples and pinks, a blue flower or plant can pack a potent punch.

Because blue flowers are so striking, you can use them as a focal point in a container or bed. Common annuals include lobelia, salvia, ageratum, verbena, delphinium and larkspur. The Burpee Seed Company has introduced a very rare blue petunia called "Sky Blue."

For ground cover in a garden or yard, try blue fescue, vinca, iris cristata, Blue Emerald creeping phlox or blue bugleweed.

Blue flowers or berries on shrubs look good at the back of a garden or pathway.

Adjust your flowers' color by adding three to four tablespoons of aluminum sulfate to a gallon of water. You'll need to use this on the shrub two times (about 10 days apart) at least four months before it blooms.

Shrubs with blue flowers or berries include bluebeard, Rose of Sharon, Russian sage, butterfly bush (Buddleia) and mahonia. If you choose to plant a blue hydrangea, you'll need to keep the soil pH below 6.0.

Morning glory is the most common vine with blue flowers. Its giant blooms will trail over almost any surface. Keep in mind that the flowers are "morning" glories, and they will close in the afternoon.

Other vines with blue flowers include "Blue Light" or "Eyres Gift" clematis, Australian bluebell, "Lawrence" wisteria and the blue passion flower.

Perennials are always a good choice. While they may be more expensive than annuals, they will last for many years if well tended.

Blue perennials include columbine, astilbe, anemone, iris, Jacob's ladder and monkshood.