13 Reasons to Get the Blues
Garden Gate|Issue 171 - June 2023
Blue is such a versatile garden color: For example, dark blues tend to recede into the background, adding the illusion of space in a small garden.
Jennifer Howell
13 Reasons to Get the Blues

GOOD TO KNOW Most bigleaf hydrangeas, including ‘Nikko Blue’, bloom on buds formed the previous year. In zones 4 and 5, cold winters often damage the flower buds, so plants won’t bloom. However, Endless Summer® hydrangea blooms on old and new growth, so it is more likely to produce flowers in cold areas.

Its serene, calming vibe is perfect for a garden where you want to relax. Or plant blue flowers with complementary colors like orange or yellow to create energy and excitement. Pair blue and white for sharp, cool contrast. And you can add blue flowers to pastel plantings so they become more vibrant.

In addition to all the visual reasons to use blue in your garden, one of the best perks is that pollinators love them. Bees are especially attracted to blue, and many butterflies and hummingbirds like blue blossoms almost as much as their traditional red favorites. And fortunately, there's a blue flower for every season, from early spring to late fall, so you can draw these vital pollinating visitors to your garden for months.

In this collection of beautiful blue flowers there's sure to be a few that will make you happy to get the blues.

‘Nikko Blue’ bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla

Nikko Blue’ produces some of the most intense blue blooms of all bigleaf hydrangeas, but soil type is critical. Bigleaf hydrangeas can be pink in color if the soil is alkaline, but will be blue in response to aluminum in acid soil. Do a soil test to determine your soil’s pH, and if it is higher than 5.5, add 1 Tbsp. aluminum sulfate to a gallon of water and water the hydrangea once a month starting in early spring to promote blue blooms.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 171 - June 2023 من Garden Gate.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 171 - June 2023 من Garden Gate.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من GARDEN GATE مشاهدة الكل
Spinach - Learn the secrets to growing this tasty green in spring and fall.
Garden Gate

Spinach - Learn the secrets to growing this tasty green in spring and fall.

If you're one of those gardeners who can't wait to get started in spring and hates to throw in the trowel in fall, spinach is the perfect shoulder season crop. This mild, earthy-flavored green comes in many varieties, ranging from crinkly-leafed savoys to slightly textured semi-savoys and the flat, smooth-leafed types. Colors can be dark green, light green and even red-veined. Here's how to get the most of it every year.

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 179 - October 2024
Why Bulb Depth Matters - Dig deep enough to ensure your plants stand tall and live the longest
Garden Gate

Why Bulb Depth Matters - Dig deep enough to ensure your plants stand tall and live the longest

When you're planting bulbs, it's tempting to just dig a hole as deep as your trowel will reach easily, nestle the bulb in, cover it up and move on. But the fact is, each type of bulb will flower best and thrive at a different depth.A good rule of thumb is to plant a bulb two to three times its height. One reason planting depth is important is because it helps to keep the bulbs protected from fluctuations in temperature that happen closer to the surface.

time-read
1 min  |
Issue 179 - October 2024
GARDEN ESSENTIALS
Garden Gate

GARDEN ESSENTIALS

FALL GARDEN CLEANUP TOOLS

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 179 - October 2024
Saving Seeds
Garden Gate

Saving Seeds

Saving flower seeds is a great way to get more plants with almost no investment. It's easy to do. Here's how to save seeds from some of your favorite annuals as the growing season winds down.

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 179 - October 2024
Cucumber Trellis Flop
Garden Gate

Cucumber Trellis Flop

I watched cucumber trellis growers online for several seasons with envy. What a brilliant way to save space in raised garden beds and make it look fancy! Finally, I was sold and decided to try it in my garden.

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 179 - October 2024
9 Tough Perennials for Clay Soil
Garden Gate

9 Tough Perennials for Clay Soil

Whether you garden in the nutrient-poor red clay of the Southeast, the calcium combined-with-clay caliche of the West or something in between, the common denominator is that clay soil is difficult to grow in. Why? Tiny particles of clay hold tightly together, slowing drainage and limiting the amount of oxygen that can reach plant roots. You've seen the resultsanemic-looking or rotting plants.

time-read
7 mins  |
Issue 179 - October 2024
Garden Fences
Garden Gate

Garden Fences

Discover the perfect blend of functionality, style, and materials for your ideal fence.

time-read
5 mins  |
Issue 179 - October 2024
A GARDEN OF STORIES
Garden Gate

A GARDEN OF STORIES

Learn plant and project tips from a couple who's been gardening here for nearly 50 years.

time-read
7 mins  |
Issue 179 - October 2024
Switchgrass
Garden Gate

Switchgrass

Adaptable switchgrass goes with the flow.

time-read
1 min  |
Issue 179 - October 2024
Establish a Monarch Waystation
Garden Gate

Establish a Monarch Waystation

Did you know that a single monarch butterfly can migrate up to 3,000 miles? That's a lot of ground to cover! This amazing insect makes a fascinating journey, unlike any other butterfly.

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 179 - October 2024