Beautify Your Garden With These 15 Blue Flowers
In shade or in sun, these blossoming plants can bring a serene element to your landscape
Blue is a surprising color to see in the garden, but it’s always welcome for its cooling, calming qualities. Here are 15 of our favorite blue-flowering great design plants to soften your gardens and planting containers. While many of the flowers featured here are woodland natives, preferring partially shady conditions, there are plenty that will thrive in even the sunniest, driest gardens.
Germander Sage
(Salvia chamaedryoides)
For drought-tolerant gardens that tend to have flowers in bright oranges and yellows, germander sage offers a cooling contrast. This Mexican native grows up to 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to its small blue blossoms. In colder regions, consider growing it as an annual.
Bloom season: Spring through fall
Cold tolerance: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Origin: Native to the Chihuahuan Desert region of eastern Mexico
Water requirement: Needs water every one to two weeks from late spring to early fall and every three to four weeks in winter
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade; filtered shade in low-desert gardens
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow germander sage
(Salvia chamaedryoides)
For drought-tolerant gardens that tend to have flowers in bright oranges and yellows, germander sage offers a cooling contrast. This Mexican native grows up to 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to its small blue blossoms. In colder regions, consider growing it as an annual.
Bloom season: Spring through fall
Cold tolerance: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Origin: Native to the Chihuahuan Desert region of eastern Mexico
Water requirement: Needs water every one to two weeks from late spring to early fall and every three to four weeks in winter
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade; filtered shade in low-desert gardens
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow germander sage
Jacob’s Ladder
(Polemonium reptans)
Jacob’s ladder is another early-spring bloomer from the eastern woodlands. Considered a reliably easy-to-grow plant, Jacob’s ladder stands out in the woodland wildflower garden. It’s also an important plant for pollinators; its flowers provide pollen for bees and beneficial insects, such as syrphid flies and beetles.
Bloom season: Spring
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 7)
Origin: Native in eastern North American woodlands, from the states bordering the Mississippi River eastward to New Hampshire in the North and to Georgia in the South. Rare in South Dakota southward to Oklahoma; absent in North Carolina and Maine and the Atlantic provinces in Canada but does occur in Ontario and Quebec in Canada
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Partial sun to full shade
When to plant: Spring or fall; bare-root or potted plants are available from many native-plant nurseries
See how to grow Jacob’s ladder
(Polemonium reptans)
Jacob’s ladder is another early-spring bloomer from the eastern woodlands. Considered a reliably easy-to-grow plant, Jacob’s ladder stands out in the woodland wildflower garden. It’s also an important plant for pollinators; its flowers provide pollen for bees and beneficial insects, such as syrphid flies and beetles.
Bloom season: Spring
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 7)
Origin: Native in eastern North American woodlands, from the states bordering the Mississippi River eastward to New Hampshire in the North and to Georgia in the South. Rare in South Dakota southward to Oklahoma; absent in North Carolina and Maine and the Atlantic provinces in Canada but does occur in Ontario and Quebec in Canada
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Partial sun to full shade
When to plant: Spring or fall; bare-root or potted plants are available from many native-plant nurseries
See how to grow Jacob’s ladder
Wild Lilac
(Ceanothus thyrsiflorus)
Wild liac (Ceanothus spp.) is perhaps one of the most recognized native plants in the West, with Ceanothus thyrsiflorus being one of the cold-hardiest and most adaptable species. Every spring, its honey-scented blue flowers draw in pollinating insects and hummingbirds. Depending on the cultivar, this fast-growing shrub can grow 3 to 20 feet tall.
Bloom season: Spring
Cold tolerance: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 17.8 degrees Celsius (zones 7 to 9)
Origin: Native to coastal and intermountain North America, from Oregon to California
Water requirement: No supplemental summer water is required once established
Light requirement: Full sun to partial sun
When to plant: Fall to spring
See how to grow wild lilac
(Ceanothus thyrsiflorus)
Wild liac (Ceanothus spp.) is perhaps one of the most recognized native plants in the West, with Ceanothus thyrsiflorus being one of the cold-hardiest and most adaptable species. Every spring, its honey-scented blue flowers draw in pollinating insects and hummingbirds. Depending on the cultivar, this fast-growing shrub can grow 3 to 20 feet tall.
Bloom season: Spring
Cold tolerance: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 17.8 degrees Celsius (zones 7 to 9)
Origin: Native to coastal and intermountain North America, from Oregon to California
Water requirement: No supplemental summer water is required once established
Light requirement: Full sun to partial sun
When to plant: Fall to spring
See how to grow wild lilac
Ohio Spiderwort
(Tradescantia ohiensis)
Every morning in spring, Ohio spiderwort opens its bright blue flowers to welcome garden visitors and native bees alike. This eastern North American native grows to nearly 3 feet tall and offers a nice texture with its strappy, grass-like foliage.
Bloom season: Spring
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 34.4 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 9)
Origin: Native in eastern North America; the western part of the range includes Nebraska south to Texas. Also occurs from Minnesota eastward to Maine, including Ontario in Canada (absent in Vermont) in the North; endangered in Pennsylvania
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to partial sun
When to plant: Spring or fall; seeds and plants are available from most native-plant nurseries in the Midwest and Northeast
See how to grow Ohio spiderwort
(Tradescantia ohiensis)
Every morning in spring, Ohio spiderwort opens its bright blue flowers to welcome garden visitors and native bees alike. This eastern North American native grows to nearly 3 feet tall and offers a nice texture with its strappy, grass-like foliage.
Bloom season: Spring
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 34.4 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 9)
Origin: Native in eastern North America; the western part of the range includes Nebraska south to Texas. Also occurs from Minnesota eastward to Maine, including Ontario in Canada (absent in Vermont) in the North; endangered in Pennsylvania
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to partial sun
When to plant: Spring or fall; seeds and plants are available from most native-plant nurseries in the Midwest and Northeast
See how to grow Ohio spiderwort
Globe Gilia
(Gilia capitata)
Globe gilia is a delicate-looking annual that is tough as nails. Easy to grow, this Western native thrives in the sun on dry, rocky hillsides. Plant it and it will self-sow to return each year, beckoning pollinators every spring and summer.
Bloom season: Spring and summer
Cold tolerance: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 17.8 degrees Celsius (zones 7 to 10)
Origin: Native throughout California north to British Columbia and Idaho, and to part of the California Floristic Province
Water requirement: Low to moderate; no watering is also possible but will shorten the bloom period
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
When to plant: Plant or sow seeds in fall through spring; the later the planting, the later the bloom
See how to grow globe gilia
(Gilia capitata)
Globe gilia is a delicate-looking annual that is tough as nails. Easy to grow, this Western native thrives in the sun on dry, rocky hillsides. Plant it and it will self-sow to return each year, beckoning pollinators every spring and summer.
Bloom season: Spring and summer
Cold tolerance: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 17.8 degrees Celsius (zones 7 to 10)
Origin: Native throughout California north to British Columbia and Idaho, and to part of the California Floristic Province
Water requirement: Low to moderate; no watering is also possible but will shorten the bloom period
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
When to plant: Plant or sow seeds in fall through spring; the later the planting, the later the bloom
See how to grow globe gilia
Shrubby Germander
(Teucrium fruticans)
Unlike many of these woodland wildflowers, which thrive in the partial shade of mature trees, shrubby germander basks in full sun. This 5- to 6-foot-tall drought-tolerant shrub is part of the mint family, so in addition to its blue flowers, it also has aromatic gray-green foliage. Plant it as a garden backdrop and watch the bees flock to its blooms.
Bloom season: Spring, summer and fall
Cold tolerance: Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12.2 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Origin: Native to the sunny, dry regions of Southern Europe bordering the Mediterranean Sea
Water requirement: Drought-tolerant once established but does best when watered occasionally
Light requirement: Full and reflected sun, although can tolerate filtered sun in desert gardens
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow shrubby germander
(Teucrium fruticans)
Unlike many of these woodland wildflowers, which thrive in the partial shade of mature trees, shrubby germander basks in full sun. This 5- to 6-foot-tall drought-tolerant shrub is part of the mint family, so in addition to its blue flowers, it also has aromatic gray-green foliage. Plant it as a garden backdrop and watch the bees flock to its blooms.
Bloom season: Spring, summer and fall
Cold tolerance: Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12.2 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Origin: Native to the sunny, dry regions of Southern Europe bordering the Mediterranean Sea
Water requirement: Drought-tolerant once established but does best when watered occasionally
Light requirement: Full and reflected sun, although can tolerate filtered sun in desert gardens
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow shrubby germander
Wild Hyacinth
(Camassia quamash)
Look for the violet-blue flower spikes of wild hyacinth to pop up after daffodils and tulips have faded. These bulbs native to western North America grow up to 30 inches tall. Wild hyacinth is an adaptable plant that grows in open meadows and near water, and tolerates a variety of soil moisture levels and light levels.
Bloom season: Late spring
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 8)
Origin: Native to western North America
Water requirement: Average to moist soil
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
When to plant: Late fall or winter
See how to grow wild hyacinth
(Camassia quamash)
Look for the violet-blue flower spikes of wild hyacinth to pop up after daffodils and tulips have faded. These bulbs native to western North America grow up to 30 inches tall. Wild hyacinth is an adaptable plant that grows in open meadows and near water, and tolerates a variety of soil moisture levels and light levels.
Bloom season: Late spring
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 8)
Origin: Native to western North America
Water requirement: Average to moist soil
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
When to plant: Late fall or winter
See how to grow wild hyacinth
Wild Lupine
(Lupinus perennis)
Not to be confused with large-leaved lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus), a European introduction, wild lupine graces wildflower gardens between the time when spring ephemerals fade and the time when summer flowers arrive. Its flowers, therefore, are an important pollen source for native bees.
Caution: Plants in the Lupinus genus, and particularly their seeds, can be toxic to humans and livestock if ingested.
Bloom season: Late spring and early summer
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 42 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 41.1 degrees Celsius (zones 2 to 10)
Origin: Native from Minnesota eastward to Maine in the north and to Ontario, Canada, and south to Iowa, Illinois, Tennessee and eastward. Wild lupine’s range also includes down the Eastern coastal states to Florida as well as the Southern states bordering the Gulf of Mexico
Water requirement: Low to moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow wild lupine
(Lupinus perennis)
Not to be confused with large-leaved lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus), a European introduction, wild lupine graces wildflower gardens between the time when spring ephemerals fade and the time when summer flowers arrive. Its flowers, therefore, are an important pollen source for native bees.
Caution: Plants in the Lupinus genus, and particularly their seeds, can be toxic to humans and livestock if ingested.
Bloom season: Late spring and early summer
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 42 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 41.1 degrees Celsius (zones 2 to 10)
Origin: Native from Minnesota eastward to Maine in the north and to Ontario, Canada, and south to Iowa, Illinois, Tennessee and eastward. Wild lupine’s range also includes down the Eastern coastal states to Florida as well as the Southern states bordering the Gulf of Mexico
Water requirement: Low to moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow wild lupine
Virginia Bluebells
(Mertensia virginica)
Every spring, look for Virginia bluebells covering the understories of woodland gardens along the eastern U.S. This 1- to 2-foot-tall wildflower is considered one of the most striking spring ephemerals, with bright blue flowers that can bloom for nearly a month. Deer and rabbits tend to avoid this flower, which can grow under black walnut trees and will return year after year.
Bloom season: Spring to early summer
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 8)
Origin: Native to the eastern U.S., primarily from New York south through Virginia to northwestern Georgia and west to Kansas; grows well as an introduced species in New England
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Partial sun to full shade
When to plant: Plant nursery-bought plants in spring; mature clumps can be divided after the plants go dormant in early summer.
See how to grow Virginia bluebells
(Mertensia virginica)
Every spring, look for Virginia bluebells covering the understories of woodland gardens along the eastern U.S. This 1- to 2-foot-tall wildflower is considered one of the most striking spring ephemerals, with bright blue flowers that can bloom for nearly a month. Deer and rabbits tend to avoid this flower, which can grow under black walnut trees and will return year after year.
Bloom season: Spring to early summer
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 8)
Origin: Native to the eastern U.S., primarily from New York south through Virginia to northwestern Georgia and west to Kansas; grows well as an introduced species in New England
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Partial sun to full shade
When to plant: Plant nursery-bought plants in spring; mature clumps can be divided after the plants go dormant in early summer.
See how to grow Virginia bluebells
Bluebell Bellflower
(Campanula rotundifolia)
Native to much of the United States, bluebell bellflower is a delicate-looking flower that thrives in some of the most challenging conditions, from rocky shorelines to gravelly mountains. Plant it next to patios, walkways or sidewalks, and enjoy the finely textured flowers and foliage up close.
Bloom season: Late spring; will often rebloom during the summer and into early September
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 55 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 48.3 degrees Celsius (zones 1 to 8)
Origin: Native to all of North America except Nevada, Kansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and states eastward to Georgia, including Florida
Water requirement: Low to moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow bluebell bellflower
(Campanula rotundifolia)
Native to much of the United States, bluebell bellflower is a delicate-looking flower that thrives in some of the most challenging conditions, from rocky shorelines to gravelly mountains. Plant it next to patios, walkways or sidewalks, and enjoy the finely textured flowers and foliage up close.
Bloom season: Late spring; will often rebloom during the summer and into early September
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 55 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 48.3 degrees Celsius (zones 1 to 8)
Origin: Native to all of North America except Nevada, Kansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and states eastward to Georgia, including Florida
Water requirement: Low to moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow bluebell bellflower
Plumbago
(Ceratostigma plumbaginoides)
Plumbago is one of those versatile ground covers that can tolerate the diverse climates of Boston, Atlanta, Santa Fe in New Mexico and more. In addition to the small bright blue blooms that appear atop its foliage in summer, it also produces great fall color — even while the flowers are still on the plant. If you don’t have room for it on the ground, try planting plumbago in containers, where it grows well.
Bloom season: Midsummer into fall
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 26.1 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 9)
Origin: China
Water requirement: Low to moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade in hot climates
When to plant: Spring
See how to grow plumbago
(Ceratostigma plumbaginoides)
Plumbago is one of those versatile ground covers that can tolerate the diverse climates of Boston, Atlanta, Santa Fe in New Mexico and more. In addition to the small bright blue blooms that appear atop its foliage in summer, it also produces great fall color — even while the flowers are still on the plant. If you don’t have room for it on the ground, try planting plumbago in containers, where it grows well.
Bloom season: Midsummer into fall
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 26.1 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 9)
Origin: China
Water requirement: Low to moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade in hot climates
When to plant: Spring
See how to grow plumbago
Eryngium alpinum ‘Blue Star’, zones 5 to 9
Sea Holly
(Eryngium spp.)
Often seen in foraged or wild-looking bouquets, sea holly adds texture to the garden unlike any you typically see. Different from many of the plants on this list, sea holly has blue flowers and stems, depending on species. Reaching heights of up to 6 feet tall, it is sure to stand out in the garden.
Bloom season: Summer into fall
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 26.1 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 11), depending on species
Origin: South America, northern Africa, Europe and Asia
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow sea holly
Sea Holly
(Eryngium spp.)
Often seen in foraged or wild-looking bouquets, sea holly adds texture to the garden unlike any you typically see. Different from many of the plants on this list, sea holly has blue flowers and stems, depending on species. Reaching heights of up to 6 feet tall, it is sure to stand out in the garden.
Bloom season: Summer into fall
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 26.1 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 11), depending on species
Origin: South America, northern Africa, Europe and Asia
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow sea holly
Great Blue Lobelia
(Lobelia siphilitica)
In the heat of summer, great blue lobelia’s flower spikes cool gardens from Minnesota to Colorado and all parts east. It reaches 2 to 3 feet tall, with a silhouette that can contrast those of other flowers in the front or middle of a planting bed.
Bloom season: Midsummer to early fall
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 9)
Origin: Native from Minnesota southwest into Wyoming and Colorado, south to Oklahoma and Louisiana, and all points east
Water requirement: Moderate to wet
Light requirement: Full sun if wet soil; partial shade if medium soil
When to plant: Potted or bare-root plants can be planted from spring to fall; sow seeds in fall or winter.
See how to grow great blue lobelia
(Lobelia siphilitica)
In the heat of summer, great blue lobelia’s flower spikes cool gardens from Minnesota to Colorado and all parts east. It reaches 2 to 3 feet tall, with a silhouette that can contrast those of other flowers in the front or middle of a planting bed.
Bloom season: Midsummer to early fall
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 9)
Origin: Native from Minnesota southwest into Wyoming and Colorado, south to Oklahoma and Louisiana, and all points east
Water requirement: Moderate to wet
Light requirement: Full sun if wet soil; partial shade if medium soil
When to plant: Potted or bare-root plants can be planted from spring to fall; sow seeds in fall or winter.
See how to grow great blue lobelia
Skyblue Aster
(Symphyotrichum oolentangiense)
This central U.S. native grows 2 to 3 feet tall and boasts bright blue flowers in fall that pollinators love. In addition, this drought-tolerant, clay-tolerant aster is a host plant to butterfly and moth species.
Bloom season: Early to mid fall
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 8)
Origin: New York and from Ohio south to Alabama and west from South Dakota to Texas
Water requirement: Low to moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
When to plant: Plant potted or bare-root plants in late spring to late fall; sow seeds in late fall through late spring.
See how to grow skyblue aster
Tell us: Do you have a favorite blue flower growing in your garden? Share a photo in the Comments.
(Symphyotrichum oolentangiense)
This central U.S. native grows 2 to 3 feet tall and boasts bright blue flowers in fall that pollinators love. In addition, this drought-tolerant, clay-tolerant aster is a host plant to butterfly and moth species.
Bloom season: Early to mid fall
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 8)
Origin: New York and from Ohio south to Alabama and west from South Dakota to Texas
Water requirement: Low to moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
When to plant: Plant potted or bare-root plants in late spring to late fall; sow seeds in late fall through late spring.
See how to grow skyblue aster
Tell us: Do you have a favorite blue flower growing in your garden? Share a photo in the Comments.
(Phlox divaricata)
Showy flowers appear atop 1- to 2-foot-tall stems as a first sign of spring. This adaptable perennial, which is native to eastern and central North America, attracts butterflies and grows well in partial to full shade, including under trees, to form a woodland wildflower garden.
Bloom season: Early spring
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 37.2 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 3 to 8; find your zone)
Origin: Central and eastern North America, from central Minnesota eastward to New York in the North, and the eastern edge of Texas eastward to Georgia and northern Florida in the South
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Partial shade to full shade
When to plant: Spring or fall; potted plants are available from most native-plant nurseries in areas where it occurs
See how to grow wild blue phlox