I’m a passionate gardener, and over the years I’ve often looked for ground cover plants with blue flowers. Using low-growing plants with vibrant blue blooms is a beautiful alternative to traditional grass while adding texture and color to the landscape.
In my experience, the best blue flowering ground covers are versatile and thrive in a range of soil types and light conditions. Whether you have full sun or partial shade, there’s a blue flowering ground cover that will work well.
Before planting, I recommend:
- Choosing a plant that’s suitable for your climate and location.
- Improving the soil with organic matter or natural fertilizer.
- Ensuring the soil drains well.
Keep in mind how large your chosen plant will spread. Some ground covers can become invasive if left unchecked. Mulching around plants helps conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Although these plants are generally low maintenance, it’s still important to prune yellow or leggy growth to encourage healthy new foliage. With proper care, you’ll enjoy beautiful blue flowers throughout the growing season.
Growing blue flowering ground cover plants is an excellent way to add both texture and color to your garden.
Perennial Flowering Ground Cover Explained
Perennial flowering ground covers provide long-term alternatives to grass while protecting soil from erosion, even on slopes.
Benefits include:
- They last for several growing seasons without needing to be replanted.
- They develop stronger root systems each year.
- They return every spring from dormant roots.
- They help prevent soil erosion.
What Kind of Ground Cover Has Blue Flowers?
Lesser Periwinkle (Vinca minor)
Lesser periwinkle, also known as creeping myrtle, is an evergreen ground cover producing bright blue flowers.
It typically grows 6–12 inches tall and features glossy evergreen foliage.
It performs best in:
- Moist, well-drained soil
- pH 6.0–7.0
- Partial shade to full shade
Full sun is tolerated but may reduce vigor.
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Soil pH | Soil Type | Sun | Zones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lesser Periwinkle | Vinca minor | 6.0–7.0 | Moist, well-drained | Full sun to partial shade | 4–9 |
Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
Creeping phlox forms dense mats of evergreen foliage covered in fragrant blue flowers during spring.
It’s commonly used in:
- Rock gardens
- Slopes
- Borders
- Ground cover plantings
It prefers well-drained soil and performs best in full sun to partial shade.
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Soil pH | Soil Type | Sun | Zones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creeping Phlox | Phlox subulata | 6.0–7.0 | Well-drained | Full sun to partial shade | 3–9 |
Blue Flax (Linum perenne)
Blue flax produces delicate blue flowers above fine foliage and requires very little maintenance.
Benefits include:
- Drought tolerant
- Attracts bees and butterflies
- Suitable for rock gardens
- Thrives in full sun
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Soil pH | Soil Type | Sun | Zones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Flax | Linum perenne | 6.0–7.0 | Well-drained | Full sun | 3–9 |
Blue Flower Meanings
Many blue flowers have symbolic meanings.
| Common Flower | Botanical Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Iris | Iris sibirica | Faith, hope, royalty |
| Forget-Me-Not | Myosotis scorpioides | True love, remembrance |
| Morning Glory | Ipomoea tricolor | Trust, honesty, deep emotion |
| Hydrangea | Hydrangea macrophylla | Apology, remorse |
| Blue Daisy | Felicia amelloides | Loyalty, trust |
| Siberian Squill | Scilla siberica | Constancy and loyalty |
| Lily of the Nile | Agapanthus | Love and affection |
| Desert Bluebell | Phacelia campanularia | Gratitude and humility |
What Does a Blue Flower Mean?
Blue flowers are commonly associated with:
- Peace and serenity
- Hope
- Inspiration
- Trust
- Loyalty
- Deep emotion
- Love and fidelity
Blue Flowers Around the World
Blue flowers carry different symbolism across cultures.
- Japan: Hope and faith.
- Ancient Egypt: Blue lotus symbolized rebirth and the sun.
- Ancient Greece: Blue iris was sacred to Iris.
- Ancient Rome: Blue borage represented relief from sadness.
- Scotland: Bluebells became associated with folklore and magic.
Are There Naturally Blue Flowers?
Naturally blue flowers are extremely rare.
Plants don’t contain a true blue pigment. Instead, they create blue-colored flowers by modifying red anthocyanin pigments through changes in pH and other cellular processes.
Examples of naturally blue flowers include:
- Blue Himalayan Poppy (Meconopsis baileyi)
- Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
- Morning Glory (Ipomoea tricolor)
- Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica)
- Blue Drumstick (Allium caeruleum)
- Delphinium (Delphinium elatum)
- Sea Holly (Eryngium planum)
- Blue Sage (Salvia azurea)
- Blue Daze (Evolvulus nuttallianus)
- Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus)
- Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
Additional Blue Flower Examples
Globe Thistle
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Soil pH | Soil Type | Sun | Zones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Globe Thistle | Echinops spp. | 6.0–7.0 | Well-drained | Full sun | 3–9 |
Delphinium
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Soil pH | Soil Type | Sun | Zones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delphinium | Delphinium spp. | 6.0–7.0 | Moist, well-drained | Full sun to partial shade | 3–7 |
Blue Star
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Soil pH | Soil Type | Sun | Zones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Star | Amsonia tabernaemontana | 6.0–7.0 | Moist, well-drained | Full sun to partial shade | 4–9 |
Empire Blue Butterfly Bush
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Soil pH | Soil Type | Sun | Zones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empire Blue Butterfly Bush | Buddleja davidii | 6.0–7.0 | Moist, well-drained | Full sun | 5–9 |
Brunnera
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Soil pH | Soil Type | Sun | Zones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brunnera | Brunnera macrophylla | 6.0–7.0 | Moist, well-drained | Partial to full shade | 3–8 |
Light Blue Flowers
One of the most popular light blue flowers is the grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum).
It:
- Grows 6–9 inches tall.
- Prefers moist, well-drained soil.
- Thrives in partial shade to full sun.
- Blooms during spring.
Dark Blue Flowers
The Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus) is among the best-known dark blue flowering plants.
It:
- Grows 2–3 feet tall.
- Prefers well-drained soil.
- Performs best in full sun.
- Blooms from June through September.
Its flowers may also appear in purple, white, or pink.
Is There a Blue Rose?
There are no naturally occurring blue roses.
Rose plants lack the pigment (delphinidin) required to produce true blue petals.
The blue roses sold commercially are generally created by:
- Dyeing white roses.
- Spraying roses with blue coloring.
Blue roses symbolize:
- Mystery
- Ambition
- The pursuit of impossible dreams
Key Takeaways
- Blue flowering ground covers are excellent for rock gardens and borders.
- Choose varieties that bloom from spring through late summer for the longest display.
- White, pink, and purple flowers pair beautifully with blue blooms.
- Evergreen perennials provide year-round structure with minimal maintenance.
- Good drainage is essential for most ground cover plants.
- Select hardy varieties suited to your climate and growing conditions.
