Blue & White Flower Garden Ideas
In this post: Blue & White Flower Garden Ideas. Suggestions for blooming plants to fill your garden with the classic colors of blue and white.Â
There are a million color combinations that we can use in our decor, in our wardrobe choices, and in our everyday life. Some of us like bright, saturated colors…and some of us prefer soft, neutral tones. Either way, the pairing of blue and white appeals to almost everyone. It’s clean, crisp, and if you’re like me, it makes you smile.Â
Using blue and white in the garden is as classic as using it in your wardrobe. Think of it as a crisp white blouse and snazzy blue blazer for your garden…or blue cardigan if you don’t like blazers! I’ve put together some ideas so you can plant your own blue and white flower garden. I had so much fun writing this and scouting out all the plant options. Enjoy!
White Flower Garden Ideas
White Spring Bloomers:
Astilbe
Astilbe thrives in planting zones 3 – 9 and produces delicate white blooms in the spring. It loves shade to filtered part-sun. Astilbe attracts butterflies so it’s the perfect plant for a butterfly garden. For best results, start from bedding plants.
Lily of the Valley (pictured above)
Lily of the Valley thrives in planting zones 2 – 9 and is a low-growing plant that is perfect for the front of a garden bed or border. The tiny, bobbing, bell-shaped blooms give off the loveliest scent and have been used to make perfume for centuries. Although widely used in bouquets and as a cut flower, Lilies of the Valley are poisonous, so care must be taken when handling.
Iberis – common name candytuft
Candytuft thrives in zones 2 – 9 and must be planted in full sun. Once the spring blooms are spent, cut down the plants to encourage summer blooms. Candytuft grows up to 18 inches tall and can be used in hanging baskets or along a garden border. It has a tendency to “spill” so it’s perfect along the edge of a wall or raised bed.
Spirea ‘Bridal White’
Spirea is hardy in zones 3 – 8 and begins blooming in May. A deciduous shrub, it looks best in the back of a garden or placed in a corner. It needs full to part sun and the blooms should be pruned after they are spent. Spirea is easy to care for and can grow up to 4 feet tall.
Plants that bloom in the summer:
Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’
Annabelle hydrangeas thrive in zones 3 – 9 and begin to bloom in June. The spectacular blooms of a mature shrub have been known to measure up to 12 inches in diameter. They prefer shade but will tolerate filtered morning sun. Annabelles are wide-branched, round shrubs that can grow up to 6 feet tall. Known for their showy blooms, Annabelles also have beautiful, large, dark green leaves.
Shasta Daisy ‘Becky’
One of my favorite flowers, shasta daisies, thrives in zones 5 – 9 and can grow up to 4 feet tall. The cultivar ‘Becky’ has sturdy stems and is perfect for cut flowers. They love full sun and should be divided every two to three years.
Phlox ‘David’
Garden phlox thrives in zones 3 – 8 and begins blooming in July. The large, showy blooms make beautiful cut flowers and give off a lovely, subtle scent. Phlox needs full sun and air circulation at ground level. Water at the roots and thin out the stems to avoid powdery mildew.
Hydrangea ‘Limelight’
Limelight hydrangeas thrive in zones 3 – 8 and although they prefer partial sun, they can tolerate full sun if watered regularly. The soft white blooms appear in July and turn to a light lime green in early fall. Blooms appear on the current year’s growth so avoid spring or summer pruning. The cone-shaped blooms can grow to a length of 6 to 8 inches.
White Fall Bloomers:
Clematis – common name sweet autumn
Sweet autumn clematis thrives in zones 5 – 9 and blooms in August. The creamy white blooms continue to appear through the end of September. Although most clematis plants prefer full sun, this one will grow nicely with some shade. The showy blooms are quite small and measure about an inch in diameter. Sweet autumn blooms on new growth so a hard pruning in late fall will guarantee blooms the next year.
A short list of annuals (available with white blooms) that can be planted in your garden among your perennials, or in pots on your porch or patio:
- geraniums
- vinca
- impatiens
- sweet alyssum
- petunias
Blue Flower Garden Ideas
Perennials with Blue Blooms
Agapanthus
Sometimes referred to as Lily of the Nile, Agapanthus is a sun-loving perennial with beautiful, spiky blooms. Because it self-seeds, agapanthus is regarded by some gardeners as a weed that needs to be kept under control. They look great in rows and borders. To avoid self-seeding all together, plant the variety ‘Black Pantha’ that is sterile and won’t produce seeds.
Globe Thistle
A member of the Aster family, globe thistles appear in mid-summer and display amazing round blooms that last for two months. Hardy in U.S. zones 3 – 8, globe thistles are planted from seed and can grow up to four feet tall. Available in shades of dark purple and blue, a patch of globe thistles can be the star of any perennial garden.
Phlox Auriculata ‘Cape Europaea’
Perfect for rock gardens or to plant as ground cover, ‘Emerald Blue’ phlox is a hardy perennial that spreads beautifully and blooms in the spring. Because of its spreading ability, it’s often referred to as creeping phlox. A deer resistant plant, ‘Emerald Blue’ phlox enjoys full sun and attracts butterflies. Prune after blooming and divide every five years.
Russian Sage ‘Blue Jean Baby’
Bush-like and tall, ‘Blue Jean Baby’ Russian Sage is hardy in zones 4 to 9 and has a lovely periwinkle blue color that is perfect for cottage and prairie gardens. Because it can grow up to three feet tall, the best place to use this perennial is in the back row of a garden or on the corners.
Annuals with Blue Blooms
Pansy
Known for their bright blooms, pansies love cool weather and look great in containers or borders. An edible plant, pansies are used as decoration on cakes and are also sometimes used as a garnish. They have a slightly minty taste and add color to any plate. Pansies spread nicely so they can also be used as ground cover. Grow from seed or purchase bedding plants for amazing color in your garden beds and pots.
Petunia
Arguably the most popular flower in America, petunias can be grown from seeds but do better when started from bedding plants or transplants. Plant them in full sun and make sure to wait until after the last frost. Water petunias twice a week and remove the faded blooms for a healthy plant.
Lobelia
Annual lobelia will grow anywhere, but this compact plant looks especially nice in hanging baskets and in borders. Once established, lobelia requires little care. No deadheading is required. Extra watering during hot periods is recommended, especially if the plant is in a container.
Bell Flower
Also known as Canterbury Bells or Cup and Saucer, bell flowers are technically biennials and prefer moist soil. They tolerate some shade and bloom in mid-summer. Straight stems make bell flowers a candidate for any cutting garden. Beekeepers love bell flowers because of the sweet honey they make.
Cornflower (Bachelor’s Button)
An edible flower, cornflowers are quick to germinate if they are in full sun…which they love. They can be used as an ornamental plant in gardens and also make a lovely cut flower.Â
