Having the Blues for Blues

13 years ago

One color that I think is relatively rare to see here in Phoenix gardens/landscaping is true blue. It's too bad because I think blue really contrasts well with so many colors.

In fact, I miss seeing the color blue so much that I impulsively bought a Blue Plumbago from Baker's this week. I have no idea where I'm going to put it yet, but I just couldn't resist...I'm totally crushing on its gorgeous pale blue flowers! Okay, they've got a tiny bit of lavender tint but they're about as close to blue as one can get without actually being completely blue!

Anyhow, can anyone suggest any other plants (be they annuals, perennials, or what have you) that bloom true blue flowers and will thrive in at least our fall/winter/spring?

Anyone one else have a blue plumbago and want to share info on it?

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Comments (4)

newtoucan
13 years ago
I have Evolvolus. I got it at AP nurseries. It does really well here. Real blue. Lots of flowers. Drought Tolerant and I don't see anyone else who has it.
agility_mom
13 years ago
A couple of blue flowers that do well here are blue lobelia and rosemary. I'm not sure on the color spectrum if they are exactly what you are looking for but they do call these flowers blue.
I had a blue plumbago that died but I think I will try another one.
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xica_da_silva
Original Author
13 years ago
Toucan, that Evolvolus is lovely. I did a 'google' and it seems to look great in hanging baskets! Thanks for the tip...I'll keep my eyes open for it.

Agility Mom, I really like the lobelia and rosemary, very pretty...and the fact that rosemary can be used for my cooking, a bonus! Thanks!
grant_in_arizona
13 years ago
Fun discussion! I think your plumbago purchase was an excellent start! Lobelia in winter was definitely one of the first things that popped in to my head.

Several of the ruellias ("Mexican petunias") come in blue or at least close-to-blue-purple, especially R. brittonia and R. penninsularis (the shrubby one). R. brittonia self-sows like crazy so some folks don't like it for that reason, but it does offer a very nice blue (plus pink and white).

If you like bulbs, definitely think about Peruvian/Carribean lily (Scilla peruvianus). They bloom in late spring in an amazing true blue and are almost idiot proof in this climate. They start emerging in fall (I see several noses poking up right now) and grow foliage in winter and bloom in spring and then disappear for summer.

I'm curious to see what other plants people suggest.
Take care,
Grant

Here is a link that might be useful: Desert ruellia on Desert Tropicals website