13 Reasons to Get the Blues

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

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.