Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Planting Blue Flowers In Your Garden

Author: Lee Dobbins

Article: Blue garden flowers can add a splash of unique color to your yard. You can buy blue and blue purple perennials and annuals to enhance your garden design. Plant them in a section for all blue flowers or mix them in with your other colors for a more varied look.

When planting flowers, be sure to follow the instructions for planting locations and maintenance. Buying plants that thrive in the conditions in which you intend to grow them will give you a much fuller and easier to care for garden. A plant that needs full sun will not grow to your expectations if it is planted in the shade.

Make sure you water and fertilize you're your blue garden flowers according to the instructions and you will be rewarded with big luscious blooms. Pinching off the dead flowers will help the plant to grow fuller and produce more flowers.

Other things to consider when planting blue garden flowers include:

• Bloom Time – what timeframe the plant will flower in – planting flowers in the same areas that have different blooming times will insure a succession of blooms throughout the growing season.

• Size – make sure you plant the taller plants in the back so they don't obscure the view of the shorter growing flowers.

Below is a list of some blue and purple colored flowers for your garden:

Verbena - Babylon Blue - Purply blue flower petals on this early bloomer that is great for window boxes and planters.

Catmint - Walkers - This blue flowering perennial shows deep lavender blue flowers on long spikes. It graces us by blooming from June to September and grows to about 10"" tall. It does best in a fully sunny spot but can withstand some afternoon shade. Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds and bees.

Corydalis, Blue Panda - This plant produces fragrant stringy sky blue flowers. It blooms in late spring, and sometimes again in fall. Can grow to 12" and likes partial shade with a rich soil.

Caspian, Blue Indigo - Blue pea shaped flowers bloom on stalks that grow up to 5 feet tall. The flowers that bloom in mid to late summer can last for several weeks. Plant in full sun or partial shade and sandy soil.

Cascade, Purple Rockcress - This ground cover grows 3 to 6" tall and is perfect for growing between rocks and in crevices. Deep blue flowers bloom in early to mid spring. Plant in moderate soil in the full sun or partial shade.

Scabiosa - Butterfly Blue - This bushy perennial is more of a lavender blue perennial plant with 2"" flower petals that bloom from June to October. Plant in the full sunlight - deadheading after first bloom will encourage repeat sports. This flower attracts the most fabulous creatures - butterflies and hummingbirds.

Bachelors Button - This has bright blue thistle like blossoms and will grow to 24"". It shows its blooms in late summer to early fall - cut down after first bloom for another bloom later in the season. Plant in the full sunlight.

Campanula, Blue Carpet - Flowers in bright blue to lilac bloom for weeks in the middle of summer. A low growing perennial, this grows to 2 – 4" and prefers full sun and a well drained soil.

Bellflower - Enjoy bright violet blue blooms all summer with this plant that grows to 30" tall. Can grow in partial shade or full sun and likes well drained soil.

Penstemon, Blue Buckle - Tubular shaped blooms in blue to purple from mid summer to early fall. Plant grows 12" to 15" and prefers well drained soil with either full or partial sun.

Balloon Flower - Sentimental Blue - This shorter plant has medium blue flowers that puff up before It blooms in. It can get to about 8"" and likes to grow in a fully sunny spot.

Petunia, Blue Spark Cascadia - Lavender blue flowers adorn this long blooming plant that produces flowers from early spring until frost. Grows 6 to 8" but can have longer cascades when grown in planters. Will grow in partial shade or full sun.

About the author: Lee Dobbins is a contributing writer for <a href=http://www.backyard-garden-and-patio.com>http://www.backyard -garden-and-patio.com</a> where you can learn how to build your dream garden. Find out more about garden flowers at <a href=http://www.backyard-garden-and-patio.com/garden-flowers.html >http://www.backyard-garden-and-patio.com/garden-flowers.html

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