home sectionhome sectionGardeners living in warm and arid conditions can plant a variety of succulents that should thrive in a sunny landscape. Senecio serpens -- also called blue chalk sticks -- gets this name because the vertical foliage of the plant resembles pieces of chalk. This energetic ground cover needs little care after it establishes in a growing area. Plant blue chalk stick succulents in a landscape and it will spread attractively over the years.
Succulents bring nature indoors and free you from the care required for thirstier and higher-maintenance plants. The mini-blue, also known as a mini-blue chalk fingers plant, offers a hardy plant in an appealing blue-green. It has pulpy "fingers" with a chalky coating and produces white flowers. The full-size version of blue chalk fingers, Senecio vitalis, spreads easily as ground cover plant. This drought-tolerant succulent comes from South Africa and normally grows in mounded mats. The mini-blue chalk fingers plant remain more compact, making it a convenient size for a dish garden or potted plant indoors.
The Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens) is a full evergreen tree with stiff branches spreading out all the way to the ground. Grown in various forms as a landscaping tool, blue spruce takes its name from the blue-gray color of its needles. Colorado blue spruce may grow to 120 feet tall in a wild venue, but landscaping cultivars of this native of the Rocky Mountains are available in much smaller dimensions.
The blue daze plant (Evolvulus glomeratus) is useful as a ground cover or cascading from a hanging basket or other container. It is fast-growing and obtains a height of 1 foot and a spread of about 2 feet. The blue blossoms are an attractive contrast to the silver-green, oval-shaped foliage. The blooms close in the afternoon and new flowers open the next morning. Blue daze is a wise choice for USDA hardiness zones 9B through 11.
Blue vervain (Verbena hastata) is a perennial herb that can grow quite tall -- up to 7 feet. Small lavender-blue flowers adorn the tops of long green or purple stems when this plant is in bloom. Blue vervain grows wild in many eastern states, but gardeners nearly anywhere in the U.S. can incorporate this plant into the garden. Blue vervain prefers full sunlight and soils with excellent drainage. As long as the plant has these features, it will usually do well with little maintenance.
Sequoia aptos blue (Sequoia sempervirens "Aptos Blue") is a type of redwood that has blue-tinted needles and drooping leaflets on the tip of each branch. The trees grow from 40 to 60 feet tall, but are capable of reaching heights of up to 300 feet. Plant sequoia aptos blue in a moist location with acidic soil and exposure to full or partial sun. The trees are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture Zones 8 and 9. Introduce them to the landscape during late summer or at the beginning of autumn.
While there are numerous varieties of phlox, the plant falls into one of two types, annual or perennials. Phlox have become a mainstay in many landscapes providing bright colors that grow in different shapes and forms. Phlox are also known for their ability to attract butterflies.
Hakea salicifolia is a medium-sized tree 16 to 26 feet tall with long, slender leaves native to a slender strip of Australia's coast. It is distributed along the eastern edge of New South Wales and southeast Queensland. The species is widely cultivated in Australia and is used in public spaces and along streets. The cultivar "Gold Medal" has pink and ivory foliage that is a surprisingly attractive ornamental landscape plant.
If you want to add more texture and visual interest to your yard, consider adding some tall grassy plants. Tall grassy plants tend to work in natural or casual yards better than in yards with more formal landscaping.
"Blue Chip" juniper is a low, spreading evergreen used in landscape design to fill in large areas of ground. "Blue Chip" juniper provides evergreen foliage and can spread up to 4 feet, reaching only a foot tall. It is a full-sun plant tolerant of drought, wind and salt spray. "Blue Chip" juniper is hardy in USDA planting zones 4 through 7. If you prefer not to use this plant in your landscape, however, you do have other options.
Blue elderberry shrubs grow tall enough to be classified as small, ornamental trees. After the plant flowers in May through July, it begins producing edible berries that are used in jams, wines and other dishes. Blue elderberry may be propagated in several different ways, giving gardeners the option of growing the edible berries on their own property.
Fresh green beans picked from your own garden add food to your table at a low cost. Unlike pole beans, which need trellising, bush beans provide 1- to 2-foot-tall plants that grow large amounts of beans without the need for upright supports. While bean plants prefer full sun to grow and develop the largest possible beans, you can grow bush beans in the shade, provided some sunlight requirements are met.
Monarda "Raspberry Wine" is a variety of bee balm that has a deep, red color to the stems and foliage and an aromatic mint aroma when the leaves are crushed. In addition, the flowers of the plant, which appear from summer until fall, closely resemble raspberries in both color and shape. Pruning Monarda Raspberry Wine is performed to both clean up the dead stems and to protect the plant from developing harmful diseases.
Cone-shaped flowers are three-dimensional blooms that taper evenly from the base to apex of the flower to form a conical appearance. Perennials are flowering plants that produce blooms for at least two years. Numerous varieties of perennial flowers develop cone-shaped blossoms. Many perennial plants bloom throughout several flowering seasons; however, in winter these plants die back until spring. Using a range of different shaped flowers such as cone-shaped blooms gives home gardens a geometrical element.
Sambucus nigra is a deciduous shrub commonly referred to as European elderberry or black elder. The shrub is characterized by dark berries, a robust growth habit and small white flowers. The shrub is commonly grown in the United States, though it originally hails from Europe, northern Africa and southwestern Asia.
A flowering perennial, Monarda didyma is better known as bee balm, for the pollinator it attracts. The plant is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 4 to 9, where it grows 4 feet tall and blooms June to August. Although bee balm flowers are not fragrant, its green foliage releases a pleasant scent. A species that propagates quickly from rhizomes, bee balm benefits from being cut back slightly in the growing season and severely in the fall.
Blue flax ("Linum" spp.) is one of the airiest perennials available to the home gardener. It forms loose mounds of fine stems and leaves that add movement to the garden in even the lightest breeze. Sky-blue flowers cover the plants for six to eight weeks in early summer.
Iris is a large genus of perennial flowering plants with more than 60 species and cultivars. All iris flowers have six petals with three positioned in an upright configuration and the other three cascading downward toward the stem. Iris plants and flowers can vary widely in color, size, petal shape and pattern. Iris plants are commonly propagated through vegetative division of their bulbs or corms to ensure duplicate plants, but can easily be propagated by seed. Consistent soil moisture is critical to successful germination of iris seed and providing a healthy start for young seedlings.
Western juniper is native to the western U.S., including Nevada, California, Idaho, Washington and Oregon. A small evergreen tree with a dense mass of upright foliage, it grows best in areas with arid to semi-arid conditions, usually hot summers and cold winters, and it drought tolerate. Managed properly, western juniper provides a valuable contribution to the habitat for birds and other animals.
Phacelia tanacetifolia is also known by the common name of fiddleneck and is part of the Hydrophyllaceae family of plants. It is native to dry desert regions and can be grown in the southwestern United States and in California. It grows in tall stalks with lavender-colored, spiky flower blossoms that develop in the summer months. The plant is not cold hardy and is an annual in areas where frost occurs.
Bush beans are among several types of green beans that grow on upright, bushy plants. Unlike pole beans, bush beans do not require the support of a trellis or other structure. "Blue Lake" is the name of a variety of bush bean that is straight and long. It is bred to be resistant to bean mosaic, a disease that results in the loss of the plants as well as the pods.
Elderberry bushes in your garden bring floppy heads of white flowers in late spring, vitamin-rich clusters of blue-black berries in late summer and colorful fall foliage. Sambucus canadensis, the native American elder, grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 3 to 11. Sambucus nigra, the European elderberry, has a narrower range from USDA zones 4 to 8. Elderberry bushes may grow as high as 20 feet and just as wide. Favored by edible landscaping designers, the plants' flowers flavor pastries and sparkling wine; the berries are used for juice, elderberry wine and rich, deep-purple jams, jellies and sauces.
Growing Blue Lake beans offers you a chance to harvest fresh green beans from your own vegetable garden with minimal maintenance. The Blue Lake bush beans not only mature in just under two months' time, but also are naturally resistant to bean mosaic disease which can destroy an entire crop to slowing or stopping pod formation. To plant your Blue Lake bush beans you'll want to provide fresh, nutrient rich soil and adequate spacing to get the greatest production from your plants.
The Stephanotis genus comprises six to 21 species of vinelike shrubs -- some dispute exists regarding the number of species in the genus. The genus belongs to the dogbane family (Apocynaceae) and is native to tropical regions. Though all species of Stephanotis are twining, Madagascar jasmine is the most commonly used by gardeners. Stephanotis twinning vines prefer very warm climates though grow indoors in colder climates if provided ideal growing conditions.
Hydrangeas are showy flowering shrubs that typically appear in southern gardens. Though the elegant masses of flowers are often cut and taken indoors, the plant itself is not an indoor plant. With proper outdoor cultivation and attentive care, your hydrangeas can produce plenty of flowers to adorn both the garden and the home.
Lawn watering is one of the largest consumers of outdoor water use. Managing your lawn efficiently will reduce water requirements while keeping the lawn green. Many localities restrict water use to conserve, allowing watering only on certain days or times. Check with your local water department to determine regulations for your area.
Flowers of any type add life and interest to a garden. However, to amp up your garden's pizazz, try adding bright, star-shaped flowering plants. A wide array of star-shaped flowers are available, each suitable for different climates, garden locations and even levels of care. Star-shaped flowers also come in a variety of colors from yellow to blue to purple and lavender.
Contrary to the image its name implies, blue hibiscus is neither blue nor a true hibiscus. While the plants are distantly related, blue hibiscus, or Alyogyne hyegelii, is a mallow and differs from traditional hibiscus with its undivided flower form. Flowers closely resemble hibiscus flowers and bloom with vibrant color. Proper planting techniques and routine plant care contribute to the overall health of the plant, allowing gardeners to add size, substance and tropical flair to the landscape.
Sambucus nigra, also called European elderberry and black elder, is native to Asia, Europe and Africa, but grows wild in the United States as a naturalized species. Several subspecies also grow native in North America. Enthusiasts cultivate elderberry plants for their attractive ornamental properties and ease of growth, as well as for their edible fruit.
Dubbed the "bridal wreath," the small, white fluted flowers from the stephanotis plant are often inserted into bridal bouquets. When planted as a houseplant the fragrant blooms provide a natural air freshener. Use care with these plants as they are sensitive and if not tended to properly can lose their flowers.
Selected in 1997 and registered in 1999, the sun spire magnolia was created by August Kehr. Bred for both size and quality of the signature yellow flower, the sun spire magnolia is one of the smaller magnolia hybrids.
United States native flowers that are blue in color are many in numbers. The Native Americans considered all of the native species here sacred and used each of them for their beneficial qualities. Blue petaled flowers are less abundant than more common colored flowers like white and yellow. Gardeners should keep in mind that the U.S.A. has many different climates. Find a blue flower that works best in the climate and soil that you have. The following flowers are examples of blue petaled species native to different climates of North America.
The Colorado blue spruce is an attractive conifer that is often used in American homes as a Christmas tree. The trees are usually sold cut for this purpose, but some people opt to buy live trees. The trees are often sold in a container that is too small for long term growing, and the roots are likely bound in the pot. The coloring of the tree sets it apart from other evergreens, with thick blue-green, almost teal needles. It has a shallow spreading root system which means it will need a wide pot for container growing.
Blue oat grass, Helictotrichon sempervirens or Avena sempervirens, is an herbaceous, perennial ornamental grass and part of the gramineae family. This grass grows in clumps, but does not spread or become invasive as many of the other grasses can. Blue oat grass features narrow grayish, greenish or blue leaf blades that can grow up to 12 inches tall with tapering ends. The clumps have spreads ranging from 12 to 24 inches. Flowers appear on long stalks far above the clumps each spring.
Kentucky bluegrass grows mostly in the northern states of the U.S. This cool-season grass is best situated in sunny areas and moist, well-drained soil. Mostly used for home lawns, athletic fields and golf courses, Kentucky bluegrass requires the proper amount of water to stay healthy.
Perennials come in a great variety of sizes, shapes and colors. Perennials will not bloom the first year they are planted but will bloom every year afterwards. The blooming period lasts from one to six weeks, so planting perennials that bloom at different times can give a garden a continuous floral display for many months of the year. Gardeners can give gardens a unique look by using plants with a particular color or feature such as perennial blue star shaped flowers.
The blue willow (Salix purpurea) is a medium to large shrub appropriate for both residential and commercial landscaping. It grows rapidly and may also be called a purple osier willow, blue Arctic willow or basket willow.
Blue point juniper is also known as Chinese juniper. It is native to China and Japan, but can be grown throughout the U.S. It has many different forms and can be grown as ground cover or a tree. The tree form can reach up to 70 feet in height with a spread of 20 feet. Most types of blue point juniper are hardy from USDA zones 3 to 9. They need full sun and well drained soil.
The ability to produce blue flowers is encoded in the DNA of individual plant genera and species. Few plants have it, making blue one of the least common colors in the plant world. Even more rare is a plant with butterfly-shaped blue flowers.
Blue spruce trees are native to the United States. They thrive near the central and southern Rocky Mountains but can survive in a number of climates and have medium drought tolerance. Their long lifespan of up to 600 years and their ability to grow up to 100 feet make the slow-growing blue spruce a desirable choice for a large lawn. Blue spruce trees retain their leaves year-round and have their most productive growth during spring and summer. You can grow blue spruce, which are named after the color of their foliage, from seeds, cuttings, bare roots or containers.
Sambucus nigra, also called the black elder, European elder or elderberry, is a type of bush originally native to Europe. This plant grows about 12 to 18 feet tall in the wild, and produces distinctive purple-black berries. Some subspecies, such as Sambucus nigra cerulea, produce blue-black fruit. Sambucus nigra is largely harmless, but can pose a problem to humans, animals and the environment in some situations.
Native to South Africa, blue plumbago is an evergreen shrub that also thrives in warm climates within the U.S., such as South Florida and California. The deep-green foliage of the plant gives way to sky-blue, five-petaled flowers when in bloom. This quick grower can easily reach a height of 3 to 10 feet, with an equal spread. If you live within USDA plant hardiness zones 8b through 11, choose a sunny patch of well-drained soil to plant your blue plumbago in the spring.
A container holding a blue spruce tree adds visual interest and texture to the garden and landscape. Plus, planting a blue spruce in a container gives you flexibility on where in the garden the tree will best grow since blue spruce requires full sun to partial shade. You can also move the container around to add interest to a patio, deck or pool area. Most varieties of blue spruce trees are hardy up to U.S. Department of Agriculture zone 2.
Several flowers referred to as blue hibiscus have not proven themselves to be either blue or hibiscus. In some cases, the color of the flower fails to achieve a true blue, reaching merely a purple hue instead. The most well-known "blue hibiscus" of previous generations was reclassified and the hibiscus portion of its name replaced. Hibiscus syriacus can create blue flowers and belongs to the hibiscus genus, but its common name --- Rose of Sharon --- has been applied to other, unrelated flowering plants.
The Blue Ridge Mountains stretch from Virginia all the way south into Georgia. The mountains span a wide range of temperate climates from the highest point on 6,684-foot Mount Mitchell to the lowest 2,000-feet altitude near Asheville. You'll find various forests types, including broadleaf deciduous woods, oak and hickory forests and groves of stunted oaks. Beneath these canopies lies a wealth of shrubs, wildflowers and other plants that wildlife and birds rely on for food, cover and habitat.
Blue Dutch iris is a long-stemmed, medium-sized perennial iris that blooms in the late spring or early summer. Their bright blue petals and golden yellow throats perched atop thin, graceful stems make them a favorite of florists and home gardeners alike. Dutch iris are particularly suited for growing in containers because, once planted, they require minimal care. They thrive in areas with sub-zero winters as long as they are protected, but don't fare as well in hot, tropical regions. Plant in the late fall after temperatures have cooled for best results.
Bluestem grass, which exists in both little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) varieties, is the most common grass throughout the prairies of the midwestern United States. While big bluestem grass is grown primarily for feeding livestock and preventing erosion, many landscapers plant little bluestem as a backdrop for wildflowers. Both varieties are native to the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Because bluestem grass thrives during summer weather, cattle ranchers often combine it with other grass in their grazing fields to provide extended grazing seasons. Its bluish stalks and flowers make it easily recognizable.
Two common names for Thunbergia laurifola Lindl are laurel clock vine and blue trumpet vine. Thunbergia lauriflora are the genus and species scientific names and Lindl is the abbreviation of the man's last name, Lindly, who identified and named the plant. Hawaii is the only place that this plant occurs in the United States. It is native to India and Africa but is found in other Asian countries. This plant is used as an ornamental, is very invasive and hard to keep contained in plant beds.
Virginia bluebell (Mertensia virginia) is a beautiful, shade-loving woodland plant that graces the landscape for a few weeks in April and May. When the flowers first emerge, they are a pinkish hue, but as the bell-shaped blooms mature, they turn an intense indigo blue. Bluebells can be planted in autumn, at the same time you plant other spring-blooming plants. Plant bluebell bulbs amidst tulips and daffodils for a lovely splash of color. Virginia bluebell is hardy to United States Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 3 through 9.
Blue holly plants are a cross between Tsura holly and English holly. This cross results in a shrub that is hardier than other hollies with thick, shiny blue-green leaves and bright-colored berries. Holly cuttings are used in winter holiday decorations, wreaths and flower arrangements, and they add much-needed color to winter landscapes.
The blue willow plant (Salix purpurea) is a member of the Salicaceae family and commonly used in residential and commercial landscapes as an ornamental shrub. The blue willow plant can easily be recognized by its two-toned leaves and purple stems.
The Blue Prince Holly has beautiful leaves that are blue-green in color. This shrub can grow to heights of 12 to 15 feet, according to the website evergreennursery.com. It grows best in USDA zones 5 through 8. The Blue Prince Holly prefers full sunshine but will tolerate areas with partial shading. These shrubs are simple to plant and will provide you with a spread of approximately 8 to 10 feet.
Blue flag iris is a water iris and grows to 2 to 3 feet tall. The flowers are a deep purple blue, as the name implies. The flowers bloom in May or June, but the foliage remains year round as a fresh green addition to your garden. Once they're established and blooming, irises can be divided at the roots to provide new plants. You can also harvest the seeds to grow new iris plants from scratch. To start your own iris seeds, follow a couple easy steps.
Cynoglossum, also known as Chinese forget-me-not, is a flowering annual plant that produces small blue flowers with rich egg-yolk yellow centers. The flowers appear in late spring and persist into summer. Cynoglossum grows in a small shrub or mounding form reaching a maximum of 24 inches and a spread of up to 12 inches. The flower heads release their seeds after blooming and the plant will self sow, establishing plants for the following spring.
Idaho's native blue elderberry plants (Sambucus cerulea) produce large clusters of small, fragrant white flowers in the spring and a heavy crop of light blue berries in the fall. A favorite food of black bears, elderberries are also favorites for humans—especially for making jams, syrups, jellies and wines. Elderberries are easily propagated from hardwood or softwood cuttings, root cuttings or suckers and with a good start will thrive for years in a home garden or yard.
A plumbago plant is a cascading shrub that grows 6 to 10 feet tall and can spread 8 to 10 feet wide. Small, blue flowers cover the plant almost all year round in the warmest regions. The plants are hardy in USDA zones 9 to 11 where the temperatures do not drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Caring for the imperial blue cape plumbago is not difficult as long as you know how to create the right environment for the plant. Knowledge of how to care for it will keep it flowering and vigorous for years.
Each year, hydrangea-lovers look forward to the blooming of the giant, showy, hydrangeas which fill their yards with color. There are several varieties and sizes of blue hydrangeas, some of which can grow to a size of 6 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Locations in USDA Hardiness Planting Zone 7 provide ideal growing conditions for these easy-to-care-for shrubs. The farther south in the zone you plant your hydrangeas, the longer the flowers will appear healthy and maintain their high color.
Blue holly takes its name from the bluish overcast on its dark-green foliage. It is a striking plant with purplish wood on its new stems and an abundance of red, yellow or orange-red berries. The blue holly ranges in height from the diminutive 5-foot "Mondo" to the 15-foot "Blue Girl." It is hardy in USDA zones 5-7, has a pleasantly sweet scent and remains green throughout the winter, making it a popular choice for wreaths and other holiday decorations. Planting a blue holly is a straightforward procedure--your efforts will produce a lovely specimen plant that will grace your garden for…
The blue flax plant is considered a forb/herb or subshrub, according to GardenGuides.com. A dicot, it is not native to the United States, according to the site. Its Latin name is Linum Perenne.
Johnson's Blue is a hardy and low-maintenance geranium that produces periwinkle-blue flowers during several blooming periods from spring through early autumn. Johnson's Blue geraniums can grow up to 18 inches tall and form large clumps that spread 18 to 24 inches. This perennial is easy to grow outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 5 through 9. If you live in colder climates, you can plant Johnson's Blue in a pot and bring it indoors during extreme cold spells.
Salvia is the term commonly used for ornamental sage. Blue Hill salvia, a type of Salvia nemorosa, has spiky true blue flowers. The Blue Hill salvia is known for its long-lasting flowers, which appear on the plant in late spring and remain through early fall. Blue Hill salvia reaches heights of 18 to 24 inches. Once established, this plant is drought-tolerant and provides a nice low-maintenance ground cover.
Once established, blue rug juniper will tolerate a wide range of conditions, including subzero temperatures, drought, heat and salt air.
With over 100 varieties available, there is some form of Kentucky bluegrass available to meet almost any requirement. Varieties have been developed for high traffic areas, shady areas and sunny areas. Kentucky bluegrass is often combined with other grasses so they may complement each other's strengths and weaknesses. Like most plants, proper selection, soil preparation and maintenance are the keys to a successful lawn of Kentucky bluegrass.
Hydrangeas, with their large, wide leaves, and bushy flower heads, can make a focal point in any garden. Today, there are many hydrangeas available. Some rebloom (Endless Summer), but most only bloom once during the year. What you may not know, however, is that it's sometimes possible to make a hydrangea that currently produces pink or purple blooms (H. macrophylla) produce blue blooms.
The Blue Poppy anemone is also known as the Anemone coronaria. It is the easiest to grow of teh blue anemones. Each bulb will produce plants that grow 10 to 14 inches tall, with blue, poppy-like flowers. The best time to plant the Blue Poppy anemone is before the ground freezes, in the fall. You can expect it to bloom from May to June.
Blue oat grass is an alluring ornamental plant that forms in clumps and has a foliage that is gray/blue in color. It is an adaptable grass that fits well in a variety of places. Blue oat grass grows to approximately two feet in height. Blue oat grass prefers a cooler climate and has average water needs. You can plant blue oat grass by using a starter plant or from seed.
Blue Lake bush beans are among the most popular garden crop every year. Standing about 18 inches tall, these bushes can produce servings of snap beans in only about two months. Apartment dwellers and others who don't have garden room can easily grow bush beans in container gardens on a porch or patio. The plants will stay cleaner than those in garden rows, and they will be conveniently close at hand for picking a serving or two throughout the day.
Nikko Blue hydrangea is a hydrangea of the macrophylla group, the "mophead" or "big leaf" hydrangeas. These deciduous shrubs are desirable for their full, rounded shape, their dense growth, and their glossy green leaves. They are especially admired for their large, rounded flower clusters, which appear in late spring. The color of the flower is very sensitive to soil pH. Hydrangea macrophylla grown in alkaline soil have bright pink flowers. Those grown in neutral soil have white or cream flowers, and those grown in acidic soil have vivid blue flowers.
Certain hydrangea plants can produce pink or blue blooms. The color of Hydrangea macrophyllia depends on the specific cultivar and aluminum availability, according to the U.S. National Arboretum. Only H. macrophylla and Hydrangea serrata bloom in colors other than white and can change color based on soil acidity, according to the University of Maryland Extension. Florist hydrangeas are hybrid plants and won't change color.
Blue fescue is an ornamental grass that is beautiful and hardy. It can also be very expensive if purchased in lots as established plants. Seeds, however, are easy to grow, inexpensive and easy to find. Seeds can be started early indoors for spring planting outdoors, or can be sown directly into the ground outdoors after the threat of frost has passed. Blue fescue is an ideal plant for beginners and master gardeners alike because it doesn't need perfect conditions to germinate and thrive. Seeds may also be sown in the fall for spring growth.
