Blue Monday

It's often thought that there are no 'real' blue flowers, and in a way, that may be true. Most 'blue' flowers lean towards purple or have an undertone of pink. And no matter what those cut-rate flower catalogs tell you, there is no blue rose! (though the breeders continue to work on it!).

But, when nothing but "blue" will do, there are plenty of options to choose from. For a start, that beautiful head of florets known as the blue Hydrangea can fill a vase with just one stem. Right now, it's a favorite with brides.

Blue is an unusual color in a geranium, but the Johnson's Blue variety is pretty, with masses of soft blue blooms and an easy-going nature.

Agapanthus (Lily of the Nile) is a statement plant no matter what color it is (pink, white, blue, yellow, orange) but the blue makes a beautiful cut flower. Outdoors, the tall stately stems are striking when massed together, though a bit tricky to grow.


The Himalayan Blue Poppy: Native to Tibet, expensive to acquire, widely sought after, and thought to be impossible to grow. Vita Sackville-West, the English poet and gardener, said the blue poppy is "the dream of every gardener". An unlikely place to find a fabulous collection of them is in the far reaches of northern Quebec, at Les Jardin de Metis. Recently, I spied a few at Tryon Palace gardens in New Bern, while dodging the rain.

Delphinium is another showy flower that comes in a range of blues and purples, as well as white and pink. Its tall spires attract bees and admiring glances from passerby wherever they are located, but are especially successful in adding height and interest to the back of a border garden.

Just one look at this page will confirm that there is no one 'real' blue in flowers, but instead, a delightful range of hues that will take away anyone's "blues"!

What are your favorites?