blue flowers

I need names and sources for perennial plants, shrubs or trees with blue flowers. Please help. I am in PNW, zone 8.

Thanks,

D.T.

Lithodora is tops in my book.

Nice Lithodora waterfall, Balvenie!
All depends on your particular definition of blue, as most of what is termed "blue" tends towards purple or pink.
Perennials/Annuals: Delphiniums, Gentians, Aconitum, Meconopsis, Echium, Mertensia, Centaurea, Linum, Lobelia, Perovskia, Salvia, Eryngium, Veronica, Heliotrope, Aster, Amsonia, Commelina, Geranium, Campanula, Polemonium

Vines / ground cover: Clematis, Passiflora, Sweet Peas (annuals), Ipomoea, Ajuga, Lurentia, Vinca minor

Shrubs: Ceanothus, Caryopteris, Lavendar (sub-shrub), Hydrangea

Bulbs/Tubers/ Rhizomes: Hyacinth, Chionodoxa, Scilla, Iris, Muscari, Allium

Trees: not here!
Hope this helps! K

Oh, i LOVE that lithodora! It's kind of a weakness of mine as well, and i'm in the process of planting it above my retaining walls. I highly recommend it.

One thing: It can get really leggy. My understanding is that if it's sheared short every other year, it retains that full bushy mounding look. Balvenie, is this your experience as well?

Estreya, this planting has been in for many years and never sheared. I think "legginess" might in part be attributed to less sun. This on the South side with heat and reflection from the sidewalk . It is lucky to be fed once a year, the soil is very fast draining and gets watered now and then, when it doesn't rain.

Katye, that's a great list of blues.

You see DT, there's a bunch to choose from,and us DG'ers are glad to help

oops! forgot one of my favourites: (perennial) Corydalis. Also - there are a couple Rhodies that are "blue" - google 'blue rhododendrons', and you'll find some of them.

Lithodora: I agree with Balvenie - it does best in full blazing sun (well, sometimes we do get that here...), excellent drainage & just tell it how pretty it is when you pass by! It's very low-maintenance for me. I don't do anything except to trim the ends when they are about to spill onto the lawn. Otherwise, my son mangles it with the mower...

Wow! Now there's a list. There are a few trees: Ceanothus arboreus 'Trewithen Blue' and other cv's (need proper situation & protection), Paulownia tomentosa & kawakamii (purple but could be blue'ish on an overcast day), Sophora davidii, Vitex agnus-castus, Rhaphithamnus spinosus (more purple/blue - Heronswood intro - got one), Syringa (Lilac) and I'm sure a few others. I'm delighted with this one - Acnistus australis - which I didn't think was hardy until I saw it at UBC Botanical Gardens treated like any other shrub. I tried it and mine is coming out with great vigour now. It seems to bloom better in dry soil and more sun.

Another blue comparable to lithodora in the shade of blue is anagallis monelli, lovely little annual. I just bought a penstemon yesterday that was a gorgeous blue, I think the particular cultivar was Jean Frances. Heavenly Blue Morning Glory is another wonderful blue annual vine. Some of the various Dutch or Siberian irises can be awesome blues. Anchusa is a great blue perennial.

OOH I love blue shades.. My whole front of my house is done in blues/deep reds/greens. I have the Veitch's Blue Globe Thistle, Hyacinths (muscari's), Blue Barlow Columbines, and Little Blue Sea Holly's. I also have a few alliums. After a lot of local shopping and internet viewing I have stuck with Breck's and Ace Hardware and Garden. I am really excited to see the thistle bloom I am really hoping it lives up to its pictures.

The globe thistle flowers are really great in arrangements too. They will dry.