13 Gorgeous Blue Flowers for a Beautiful Garden

Delphinium

Jacky Parker Photography

A cottage garden favorite, many of these popular native wildflowers can grow quite tall and will need support throughout the growing season. But there are also compact varieties that work well in smaller gardens. A few blue varieties include Guardian Blue and Sky Blue.

Perennial/Annual: Short-lived perennial or annual
Zones: 3 through 7
Sun: Full sun
Bloom Time: Early to mid-summer
Pollinator-Friendly: Yes

Aster

Kosit Jarusripan

These starlike flowers are also known as “frost flowers” because florists often use them in autumn and winter arrangements.

Perennial/Annual: Perennial
Zones: 3 through 8
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
Pollinator-Friendly: Yes

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Lily of the Nile

By Eve Livesey

Lily of the Nile is also known as Agapanthus, which comes from the Greek words “agape,” meaning love, and “anthos,” meaning flower.

Perennial/Annual: Perennial
Zones: 7 through 11
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom Time: Summer
Pollinator-Friendly: Yes

Hydrangea

masahiro Makino

One of the few true-blue flowers, some types of hydrangeas can change color based on the pH level of their soil. To keep your petals blue, aim for a pH of about 5.2 to 5.5. Tip: It’s easier to control pH levels in a pot, so consider planting your hydrangeas in containers if you’re partial to a particular color.

Perennial/Annual: Perennial
Zones: 5 through 9
Sun: Partial sun to partial shade
Bloom Time: Summer to early fall
Pollinator-Friendly: Yes

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Globe Thistle

Kristian Brouer Seedorff

This pompom-like flower is fantastic for attracting bees and butterflies. It also dries well, so snip a few to enjoy the happy hue long after the growing season. Look for Blue Glow or Taplow Blue.

Perennial/Annual: Perennial
Zones: 3 through 9
Sun: Full sun
Bloom Time: Mid- to late summer
Pollinator-Friendly: Yes

Forget-Me-Not

Martin Georgiev

These charming, five-petaled flowers require minimal care and grow best in damp, shady areas. Get forget-me-not growing tips.

Perennial/Annual: Biennial or short-lived perennial
Zones: 3 through 8
Sun: Partial shade to full sun
Bloom Time: Spring to early summer
Pollinator-Friendly: Yes

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Cornflower

Johny Hamster

Also known as bachelor’s button, cornflower is an annual flower composed of 10 trumpet-like petals. In the past, it often grew as a weed in cornfields, which is how it got its name. A few pretty blue varieties include Blue Boy and Classic Fantastic.

Perennial/Annual: Annual
Zones: 2 through 11
Sun: Full sun
Bloom Time: Late spring through summer
Pollinator-Friendly: Yes

Grape Hyacinth

Lisa Stokes

These spring-blooming bulbs spread quickly, so plant them in an area you don’t mind them taking over.

Perennial/Annual: Perennial
Zones: 4 through 8
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom Time: Early to mid-spring
Pollinator-Friendly: Yes

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Anemone

Susanne Hegbart / FOAP

These bold blue blooms can flower just a few months after planting, and each corm can produce multiple flowers throughout the season. A fun variety is Mr. Fokker.

Perennial/Annual: Perennial
Zones: 4 through 8
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom Time: Spring or late summer through fall
Pollinator-Friendly: Yes

Scabiosa

ImageJournal-Photography

Sometimes called pincushions, this summer bloomer is fairly tolerant of heat and grows best in well-drained soil. Look for Oxford Blue or Blue Jeans.

Perennial/Annual: Annual or perennial, depending on variety
Zones: 3 through 9
Sun: Full sun
Bloom Time: Late spring through fall
Pollinator-Friendly: Yes

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Columbine

mikroman6

This easy-to-grow perennial blooms in a variety of colors and is a favorite of hummingbirds. A few blue varieties include Blue Star and Rocky Mountain Blue.

Perennial/Annual: Perennial
Zones: 3 through 9
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom Time: Spring to early summer
Pollinator-Friendly: Yes

Blue Daisy

mikroman6

This cheerful plant is fast growing, resistant to wind, and needs only moderate water and care. Even better? Bees and butterflies love it.

Perennial/Annual: Perennial (often grown as an annual in colder climates)
Zones: 9 through 11
Sun: Full sun
Bloom Time: Spring through fall
Pollinator-Friendly: Yes

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Sea Holly

Alex Manders

Looking for a plant that thrives on neglect? This is the one for you. The purple-blue flower favors poor, dry soil, so take it easy on the water and fertilizer. Big Blue is a fun variety.

Perennial/Annual: Perennial
Zones: 4 through 9
Sun: Full sun
Bloom Time: Summer to early fall
Pollinator-Friendly: Yes

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