Gardens will be full of ‘gorgeous shades of blue’ if you plant 5 flowers gardeners love

Blue flowers add a unique touch to gardens, with several easy-care options available for those looking to add a pop of colour to their outdoor space.

Angela Patrone Senior Lifestyle Reporter

04:07, 03 Feb 2026

Gardens will be full of ‘gorgeous shades of blue’ if you plant 5 flowers gardeners love(Image: OE993 via Getty Images)

Cultivating a lively garden brimming with an array of colours can produce a stunning spectacle. Nevertheless, particular flower shades are scarcer than others.

One hue you might not yet have introduced to your garden is blue. Unfortunately, blue is a shade rarely encountered in nature, rendering blue flowers more difficult to find.

Delightful blue blooms bring a distinctive element to gardens. Numerous planting designs typically emphasise warm tones and verdant greens, causing blue to appear more intentional. Blue flowers offer contrast without appearing excessively striking.

Gardeners often overlook blue varieties since authentic blue flowers can be remarkably uncommon, yet many plants actually provide that shade with little fuss, according to gardening specialist Jason Wilson at Epic Gardening.

Gentian produces some of the deepest true blue flower colouring found in ornamental gardens(Image: MMilda via Getty Images)

1. Gentian

Gentian delivers some of the richest, genuine blue flower pigmentation discovered in ornamental gardens. Their intense colour captures attention instantly and establishes focal points even in understated arrangements.

The sole requirement for gardeners is establishing the proper balance to guarantee this plant obtains sufficient sunlight for blooming without extreme exposure that might fade its foliage.

This plant experiences no significant problems with pests or disease, rendering it comparatively “easy to care for”, assuming its sun requirements are maintained.

2. Love-in-a-mist

Love-in-a-mist is a “beautiful annual plant” that yields fluffy blue flowers encircled by a maze of foliage, evoking mist. These flowers flourish in full sunlight, although partial shade proves advantageous in more arid conditions.

Jason stated: “This short-lived plant is easy to care for, as it is virtually disease- and pest-free and requires minimal maintenance.”

The hyacinth is a beloved plant that produces flowers in a variety of colours, including blue(Image: Sandris Veveris via Getty Images)

3. Hyacinth

The hyacinth is a cherished plant that yields flowers in numerous colours, including blue. It prospers in full sunshine and organically enriched soil.

Jason observed: “Hyacinths bloom for two to three weeks in mid-spring, so be sure to enjoy their stunning beauty while they last.”

4. Globe thistle

Globe thistle is a fascinating plant to cultivate, featuring its prickly foliage and spherical flower heads in a “gorgeous shade of purple-blue”. It makes an excellent addition to any garden, particularly for those seeking “low-maintenance plants”.

Furthermore, bloom timing coincides with midsummer when numerous cool-toned flowers diminish. Trimming them back following flowering can support the plant’s wellbeing and might even prompt another flowering cycle.

Jason remarked, “These plants self-sow easily, returning each year more beautiful than before.”

5. Himalayan blue poppy

Himalayan blue poppies are “stunning flowering plants that produce true blue blooms”. They prefer partial shade and thrive in shaded gardens. However, they can prove challenging to grow as they have particular environmental needs.

The soil must be neutral to slightly acidic, maintaining moisture whilst remaining well-drained, and they flourish in cooler summer temperatures.