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In this post: Blue & White Flower Garden Ideas. Suggestions for blooming plants to fill your garden with the classic colors of blue and white.
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. 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 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 – 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.
White Summer Bloomers
- 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.
White Annuals
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
- lantana
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.
- 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.
Please help me. I have a space, can send you a picture. We moved several years ago and from day one I wanted to start a flower garden but the inside of the house was more urgent! I have part sun and live in eastern North Carolina. I love the idea of a blue and white flower garden. Not sure if I can start this fall? Any ideas? The space is weed free, though it may need to be tilled because of roots in various places from the pines. Thanks in advance :-)
Love your emails, but is why is there SO many ads and other windows? Is a bit overwhelming to find what is your blog.
Cyndy
Hi Cyndy…I’m sorry for your frustration. I’m not sure what you mean by other windows? There is one pop-up video player that shows for 5 seconds…and then you can tap the “X” in the corner to make it disappear. I’ve checked my site on multiple devices and my ads are not compromising my content. In order for me to offer everything on my site for free, I need to run the ads. I hope you understand!
Thank you for responding back, there’s repetitive adds that are the same.
Love your ideas.
I cannot overstress how important it is to know about the invasiveness of lily of the valley. Yes, they are dear in May but then crawl all over the garden. Once in you will spend the rest of your gardening days getting rid of them as they spread. Plant them in containers only! Voice of experience!
totally agree
Ann
I LOVE YOUR POSTS! Always such great information.
The timing of your posts on gardening could not be better. I have been wanting to update parts of my garden but need to wait until our fence is replaced mid July. Our last big hit of snow in April
destroyed part of it and I loved the patina.
I have been trying to do some research on plants…I want to change it up a bit. Distracted by a serious medical issue for my brother. Three weeks ago jaundiced in the eyes…after multiple tests and scans they found cancer in the liver. Docs knew it wasnt original site and another scan verified that. An aggressive rare cancer in the lung. Less than 1% are diagnosed with this kind. Not related to smoking or secondary smoke. He is very sick already. So my focus is in family and supporting each other. Our two sons attend grad school in NE so we are here for a bit to help them process.
I know I have told you before how much I love your blog. So practical.
You have no idea how nice it has been to sit back and reread to keep my mind busy.
This is such a lovely comment June…thank you so much for taking the time to let me know!
I’m just working on my blue and white garden! This list is so helpful!
GREAT post Ann! I am soooo ready for warmer weather and no snow. Living in Minnesnowta has been a winter with endless snow🥶 this year.
LOVE your flower suggestions…for now I’m keeping my vases full of fresh blooms.
Thanks so much for your timely post — it is so inspiring! We moved into a new home in the Fall. The front of the house is boring brown :- ( and I’ve been trying to figure out how to brighten it up some. I am planning to paint the doors a colonial or coastal blue. And now I know that I will be planting a blue & white palette of flowers!
Enjoy your new house!
All of this just makes me happy! Lovely post and can’t wait to go blue in the garden!
For all I learned from my mom over the years the less I know. I wanted a riot of color but the blue and white is so pretty. I think I will hire a landscaper to start me off. I love very much hostas. And chicks and hens and little wood roses. Am limited in my bending, stopping and alas my walking. So I will use your suggestions and be happy.
Oh WOW! This is so timely as I am in the process of planning our new garden areas. Love the suggestions in your post and, of course, I want one (or two) of everything! The planting descriptions are perfect to determine locations and spacing. Great post Ann – thank you!!
In our hot summers nothing looks cooler than to see blue and white blooms in the flower beds. Just love your posts and the basket idea for the front door. Am tiring of wreaths and have started experimenting with baskets for a new updated look. Thank You for your encouragement.
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING !
I’ve been considering a mostly white front garden and mostly blue back garden for our new yard. Helpful suggestions, thank you.
I often use white and blue because it looks more natural … and now you give this great collection .. thank you very much
love the blue and white, my blue is denim and little off white I also just love that combo. Blue and white flowers are pretty cool in the garden.
15 years ago we gave our son a parcel of garden bed to have cut flowers for his girlfriend. We now need to tame the daisies. :) Enjoy your Blog and posts. Understand the social media loss of desire. I am there too.
I love a white garden. I had one on my back patio in Colorado. I have never heard of snakeroot so I must look at that. I didn’t see cosmos in your list for white and it is so easy to grow. We are doing a new border here at the farm in a blue and white palate. Blue and white is so classic. But there maybe a yellow sunflower that gets added in. I enjoy your Sunday posts.
I love a blue and white palette for everything: wardrobe, house and garden! Thanks for sharing this great collection!
O.M.G. Ann the little purple -blue flower that you have in the picture all the way on top [I don’t know what the name of it is ] I bought them last spring and put them in flower pots all through my border wall in my back yard . Believe it or not they lasted through fall and winter weather and have bloomed beautifully again this year. How nice to see that you bought the same flowers even though I live all the way on the other side of the world. I just love your posts and the way you decorate everything so beautifully. Have a wonderful day.
Ann, your post today was “my lucky post”! Several years ago, I asked my husband if all of the annuals, perennials and potted plants in the front and side yards could be white. We have 2 lovely bright green ornamental trees, a medium size white dogwood tree, a large white magnolia bush. Our 1950 raised ranch is a true terra cotta orange brick. When we had so many colorful annuals, planters and bright flowers lacing the boxwoods, I felt like it was a color jungle clashing terribly with the orange brick. Since then, we have worked to develop a gorgeous “moon garden”. Last year, my husband suggested we try some new white varietals. We shopped the few nurseries in our small city and came up with nothing. What a treasure trove you brought me today and your ebay post was extra icing on the cake! Once again Ann, you’ve shown me something beautiful and new.
Ann, your blog is my favorite! It is so nice to have this information, beautifully photographed and well written. Today I downloaded your Revelations 21:4 print for a sympathy card for a friend whose husband just passed away. It is lovely…and I know she will find it comforting. You are a blessing…thank you!
Cheryl Ann
Love! Love! Love!
Do pant an autumn Clematis. They are beautiful! Wish you lived close. I have tons. They reseed easily.
I love all your suggestions, but would like to add one to your blue list. That is, heavenly blue morning glory. The beautiful blue color will take you from mid to late summer until the first frost! It would be a great addition!
Blue and white is always pretty.Right now my house is cream so
white doesn’t stand out.Think I’ll have to add a bit of color.
I am in love with blue lobelia, Ann! I have the mounding kind planted in the ground in the garden, and I have the trailing kind in some hanging baskets. I did have to throw a yellow plant into the blue and white mix!
Ooh, I am loving the white garden…no wait, I like the blue garden better…no wait, maybe I like the white garden best…ha! I am curious about the Shasta Daisy…is it invasive and has a mind of her own? I had daisies (unknown variety) and black-eyes Susans that went crazy. They became more like weeds than flowers. Also the Globe Thistle…love the look but don’t want them scattered everywhere. With folks feeding the wild birds thistle seeds, we have unwanted thistles in unwanted places. I prefer my flowers mind their manners. I need to check for lavender information on your blog…can’t remember if I’ve seen it.
I love blue and white. Just planted our front flower bed yesterday and will probably plant the back one tomorrow. Today it is raining in Ohio. Love all your ideas and beautiful photography.
Blue and White never seem to go out of style. The combination is always beautiful. I love blue flowers and once the Spring bulbs are finished I have to find other choices. An all white and green garden can be stunning. Thanks for your inspiration.
I love all of these flowers and shrubs! I don’t have much luck with daisies.. I planted one last year, keeping eye on it. We’ll see…
Than you always????????????????????
I put all white on my back deck. Doesn’t show well in afternoon, but that’s ok bc I’m inside out of the heat. But the sparkle of the white flowers in the cool of the evening, just wonderful
Blue and white anything are my favorite colors.
Crisp and clean. Always looks good no matter what or where.
I’m thinking about making a flower garden around my mailbox and this inspires me to do blue and white.
Thanks always