Lupine
Regionally known as bluebonnet, Lupine can be seen carpeting fields and roads across North America. It’s a beloved perennial wildflower that can also grow in gardens up to 4 feet tall. Planting these beauties is full of positives: an early summer bloomer, very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, deer-resistant, and nitrogen-fixing. Just beware: many species are poisonous to livestock.
American Iris
These beauties peek out in springtime with eye-catching vibrant petals. The American variety comes in a wide variety of colors ranging from pretty pale blue to deep blue-violet. As gorgeous as they are, Irises take a bit of extra care. They need well-draining, neutral to slightly acidic soil and bloom best in unobstructed sunlight.
Star Flower
We bet you know where these got their name! The Star Flower is quite the low-maintenance, hearty beauty. She’s heat tolerant and will bloom right through the peak of summer right until the first frost. Star flowers create oxygen and can be planted with others in combination pots/containers or landscapes.
Starship Blue Lobelia
who doesn’t love a problem-solving plant? With these, you get pure, violet-blue petals and tall spikey green stocks. Lebelia can grow in a wide range of soil types and climates but it does prefer moisture and will need extra care if you’re in a dry climate. Plant them in your garden if you’re hoping to attract butterflies or hummingbirds.
Midnight Blue Torenia
Dollops of sunny yellow stand out on the midnight Torenia’s deep blue petals. We love these snapdragon-like flowers are a winner for their durability and flexibility, thriving in both shade and sun. They begin blooming early and continue through late fall until the first frost. Plus, they’re heat-resistant!
Nemesia
Nemesia eats sunlight for breakfast! You’ll love to dip your nose into these clove-scented flowers which fan out in shades of deep lilac. They’re a great fall flower, as they thrive in cooler weather.
Reblooming Mountain Hydrangea
As their name implies, these flowers can’t stop blooming! The waterlily-like double florets are prolific rebloomers, and the plant creates new flower buds all summer long. Just note that they bloom either baby blue or pink, depending on the soil chemistry.
Catmint
Okay, this is actually a perennial herb. A member of the mint family, these flowers are aromatic and grow in long stocks that bloom all the way to the ground amongst gray-green foliage.
Caryopteris
Bees love this compact shrub, also called bluebeard. Its brilliant blue flowers pop during its bloom season from late summer to fall, when many other plants are fading.
Lobelia
Lobelia’s ethereal blooms cascade nicely from hanging baskets or planters. They prefer cooler weather, so if the nighttime temperatures stay above 70 degrees, they may not bloom well. Trim these annuals back a little, and they’ll revive when cooler weather returns.
Morning Glory
These vining annuals grow well from seed. Give morning glories something to climb, such as a trellis or mailbox, to show off their cottage-style beauty. Pick the dried seed heads after the flowers fade if you don’t want them to self-sow and return in the same spot next year.
Balloon Flowers
Cute rounded buds open into long-lasting star-shaped flowers on these perennials. Balloon flowers work well at the front of borders in garden beds, and deer usually don’t bother them
Delphinium
These elegant spires of blue can grow up to five feet tall! Plant these perennials along fence lines or at the back of borders for a striking show.
Amsonia
Clouds of wispy blue flowers top dark green foliage on this perennial which blooms from late spring to early summer. Deer won’t bother it!
Browallia
These lesser-known purple-blue annuals bloom well and take the heat. Browallia look good in mixed plantings or planted alone in containers.
Pincushion Flowers
The cute dome-shaped flowers of pincushion flower, also called scabiosa, are a lovely true blue. This annual attracts pollinators and blooms from late spring to fall.
False Indigo
False indigo, also known as baptisia, has stately spiked flowers in spring, followed by interesting seedpods in the fall. This sturdy, low-maintenance perennial attracts pollinators of all types.
Fan Flower
Fan flowers are as sturdy as they come and require almost zero attention to bloom all summer until a hard frost. Let these annuals spill over the edges of planters or walkways.
Hydrangea
These stunning shrubs grow in almost any climate and bloom from midsummer to frost. The papery flowers stay intact too, to provide winter interest. A common misconception is that you can change any hydrangea’s bloom color to blue. The truth? Only mountain and some types of big-leaf hydrangeas can change color based on the presence of aluminum in the soil.
Salvia
Spikes of deep purple-blue flowers top spicy-scented foliage all season long. Bees love this perennial. Some salvias are considered annuals, so read the plant tag to be sure about what you’re buying.
Large Blue Torenia
These perky annuals, also called wishbone flowers, bloom profusely from spring to fall. Pollinators love torenia! They’re lovely draping from window boxes or hanging baskets, but their trailing habit makes them good as a groundcover too.
Rose of Sharon
Rose of Sharon starts her show in late summer, when most other plants are beginning to fade. Although they come in every shade of the rainbow, look for stunning blue varieties, which are real showstoppers!
Petunia
These annuals work well to fill the landscape with color or drape beautifully from hanging baskets and planters. They’re super tough and don’t need to be coddled, but they’ll bloom all season long if you keep them watered. New varieties bloom over and over without the need for deadheading, or removing spent blooms.
Russian Sage
Lacy sky-blue spikes of flowers top delicate silvery foliage on this cold-hardy perennial. It looks best planted in masses or as part of a mixed border. Hummingbirds love it!
Bachelor’s Button
This native European annual, also called cornflower, is absolutely charming! Its little round flowers are brilliant periwinkle blue. They can also be used in dried arrangements.
