There was a time when many gardeners seemed to lust after a “blue garden”. Why the appeal? Perhaps because the number of “true blue” flowers not verging on purple is rather limited – and rarity always enhances the desirability of a thing. Or maybe because a blue garden has that je ne sais quoi that comes across as mystical and mysterious, Whatever the reason, rarely do you find a garden that boasts gorgeous blue blossoms that also appeal to pollinators. Which is a shame, really, because there is a reasonable roster of bee-friendly blue flowers that will have your garden buzzing from spring to fall. And that’s without defaulting to the usual purple suspects like catmint and lavender.
Here are 16 blue-tiful plants to create a little buzz in your garden from spring through autumn. And remember: if you want honey bees, you’ll need to plant lots of these. Honey bees are flower-faithful for several days. Like winged efficiency experts, they seek out abundant, one-stop foraging opportunities. Bumble bees are promiscuous foragers, flitting from one nectar- or pollen-rich flower to another. Other native bees are flower specialists like honey bees. The main thing: don’t skimp – be generous. You’re planting a buffet.
Here is the key:
- Scilla siberica – Siberian squill – spring bulb (fabulous blue pollen!)
- Muscari armeniacum – Grape hyacinth – spring bulb
- Pulmonaria longifolia – Lungwort – perennial
- Myosotis sylvatica – Forget-me-not – biennial
- Lupinus perennis – Wild blue lupine – perennial
- Anchusa azurea ‘Dropmore’ – Italian bugloss – perennial
- Echium vulgare – Blue bugloss – biennial
- Veronica spicata ‘Darwin’s Blue’ – Spike speedwell – perennial
- Echinops ritro ‘Veitch’s Blue’ – Globe thistle – perennial
- Eryngium planum – Sea holly – perennial
- Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ – anise sage – annual (bees nectar-rob it)
- Nigella damascena – Love-in-a-mist – annual
- Borago officinalis – Borage – annual
- Centaurea cyanus – Cornflower – annual
- Perovskia atriplicifolia – Russian sage – perennial
- Caryopteris x clandonensis ‘Summer Sorbet’ – blue mist bush – shrub (all caryopteris selections are fabulous bee plants)