
              Add Rich Color To Your Garden With Blue Perennial Flowers
  By Kathy Burns-Millyard
              Blue flowers are some of the most striking plants 
                around and can add a rich splash of color to any garden. Plant 
                them in a cluster of all blue or mix them in with other flowers 
                for a rainbow of color.
              When planting flowers, it is important to remember to follow 
                the instructions on the tag for the plant. Always buy plants that 
                will thrive in the conditions in which you intend to grow them. 
                A plant that loves sun won't do well in a shady area and you will 
                only be disappointed with the results.
              When planning your garden, be aware of the bloom time of the 
                flowers. Planting perennials with different bloom times near each 
                other will insure a garden that has blooms all season long. Remember 
                also to plan for the height of the plants, putting the taller 
                ones in the back.
              Below is a list of favorite blue flowering plants that you might 
                want to consider for your garden:
              Polemonuim, Blue Pearl - A compact plant with deep sky 
                blue flowers that grows to 10". It blooms in late spring 
                to early summer. Plant in partial shade and in well drained soil.
              Blue Sea Holly - This dramatic plant has a lavender 
                blue cone like flower with long spiked petals. It grows to 30" 
                and is a favorite for dried flower arrangements. Plant in full 
                sun - blooms in mid to late summer.
              Delphinium, Butterfly Blue - Bright blue delicate flowers 
                adorn this plant that blooms in early to mid summer. It reaches 
                10" tall and prefers a sunny location with rich moist soil.
              Campanula, Blue Carpet - Bright blue to lilac colored 
                flowers bloom for weeks in the middle of summer. This low growing 
                perennial grows to 4" and prefers full sun with well drained 
                soil.
              Penstemon, Blue Buckle - This plant has tubular shaped 
                blooms in blue to purple and flowers in mid summer to early fall. 
                It grows to 15" and likes well drained soil with full or 
                partial sun.
              Hydrangea, Nikko Blue - Gigantic clumps of blue flowers 
                adorn this shrub for most of the summer. In the fall, the flowers 
                turn a golden color. This plant is a new variety that prefers 
                rich soil but will grow in shade, partial sun or full sun.
              Vinca - Medium blue flowers and glossy green leaves 
                form a carpet that grows to about 6" tall and blooms in mid 
                spring. This plant will grow in most soil conditions, in the shade 
                or sun.
              Ajuga, Bronze Beauty - This short bushy plant has spikes 
                of blue flowers that grows quickly. Great as a ground cover or 
                in raised beds. It blooms in spring and prefers a shady area.
              Scabiosa, Butterfly Blue - A bushy perennial with lavender 
                blue flowers that bloom from June to October. This plant likes 
                full sun and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
              Verbena, Babylon Blue - Blue purple flowers petals adorn 
                this plant that blooms in early spring. Great for window boxes 
                and planters.
              Additional information and resources for this article can be 
                found at: http://www.garden-source.com/archives/2005/05/24/
                add-rich-color-to-your-garden-with-blue-perennial-flowers/
              A beautiful blue wildflower picture can be found at: http://www.garden-source.com/archives/2005/06/02/
                blue-wildflower-in-kathys-garden/
              © 2005 This article is provided courtesy of The Garden Source 
                Network - http://www.garden-source.com