Top 10 Blue Perennials for Dreamy Gardens

1. ‘Storm Cloud’ Amsonia (Bluestar)

Clusters of periwinkle blue, star-shaped flowers top this easy to grow, native perennial cultivar every year in late spring to early summer. As an added bonus, this particular variety emerges from the ground in spring with stormy purplish black stems. Its taller, bushy habit makes it ideal for filling space in the middle of the border where it will need little more than sunshine and occasional water during dry spells to flourish.

Hardy in zones 4-9, full sun to part shade, 2-2 ½’ tall, deer resistant

Learn more: Amsonia Growing Guide

2. Color Spires^® ‘Azure Snow’ (left) and ‘Crystal Blue’ (right) Salvia (Perennial Salvia)

If you battle deer or rabbits in your garden but want to grow flowers that feed pollinators, plant salvia. They won’t find its fuzzy, fragrant foliage so tasty, but bees, butterflies and hummingbirds will adore its blossoms. Color Spires salvias are particularly prolific, blooming heavily in late spring and reblooming sporadically through the growing season. If icy blue fits your color scheme best, choose ‘Crystal Blue’. For something a little darker, try ‘Azure Snow’ which bears bicolor violet blue and pure white blossoms.

Hardy in zones 3-9, full sun, 18-20” tall, deer and rabbit resistant

3. Decadence^® ‘Blueberry Sundae’ Baptisia (False Indigo)

One of the most durable, long-lived perennials for the landscape is Baptisia, commonly known as false indigo. Its existence has been noted since ancient times and today’s cultivars are simply magnificent. Decadence varieties are perfectly sized for urban gardens, reaching 2 ½ to 3’ tall (half the size of some native species) and filling out beautifully as they mature. ‘Blueberry Sundae’ produces long spikes of vibrant blue flowers that feed bees and butterflies in late spring to early summer.

Hardy in zones 4-9, full sun to light shade, 2 ½-3’ tall, deer resistant

4. ‘Stand by Me’ Clematis (Bush Clematis)

Most people think of clematis as a climbing vine, but it also comes in an upright clumping form that fits easily into most gardens. ‘Stand by Me’ will grow like any other upright perennial in your landscape. Its stems knit together to support themselves as they grow, and it may lean on its neighbors a bit for a little extra propping up. Pollinating bees and butterflies adore its bright blue, bell-shaped flowers from late spring to early summer. Expect to see some sporadic rebloom in late summer.

Hardy in zones 3-7, full sun to part shade, 3’ tall

5. Still Waters^™ Clematis (Vining Clematis)

This award-winning vining clematis is super easy to grow and blooms reliably every year on both old and new wood. Its first round of large, pale blue flowers appears in late spring on last year’s growth. Bees and hummingbirds are attracted to the deep red stamens in the center of each blossom. Additional flowers appear on the new growth as the plant matures through the growing season. Try growing ‘Still Waters’ up through an airy, dark foliage shrub like Black Lace^® elderberry or up a trellis on a dark wall for maximum effect.

Hardy in zones 5-9, full sun to part shade, 4-7’ tall

6. Brother Stefan^® Clematis (Vining Clematis)

This award-winning vining clematis is named after world-renowned clematis breeder Brother Stefan Franczak of Warsaw, Poland, so you know it must be pretty amazing. It’s one of the bluest clematis we’ve seen, and it blooms like crazy for months. Large, ruffled blossoms appear on both old and new wood from early summer to late summer. A smaller, refined habit makes this variety ideal for growing up smaller trellises and low fences.  

Hardy in zones 4-9, full sun to part shade, 5-7’ tall

7. ‘Denim ‘n Lace’ Perovskia (Russian Sage)

You might say this one is a little more purple than blue, but we couldn’t pass up a chance to tell you about one of the very best perennials in our lineup. This improved cultivar forms a denser, more upright clump that won’t flop open and its flower power is extraordinary. Its fragrant foliage keeps deer away, but pollinating bees and hummingbirds will always find this plant when it’s in bloom. Plant Russian sage where the sun shines all day, and in well-drained soil where the sprinkler doesn’t reach for best results.

Hardy in zones 4-9, full sun, 28-32” tall, deer resistant

8. Sweet Romance^® Lavandula (English Lavender)

Lavender offers many of the same benefits as Russian sage—sun and drought tolerance, deer resistance, and attractiveness to pollinators. They both thrive on neglect and are perfect for busy gardeners who have little time to be fussing over their plants. Their fragrance is notably different: sage has a strong herbal scent, while lavender smells more like perfume. There are plenty of rich violet blue flowers to harvest from Sweet Romance all season long. Use them in bouquets, baked goods, homemade air fresheners and mixed with essential oils for diffusing.

Hardy in zones 5-9, full sun, 12-18” tall, deer and rabbit resistant

9. Magic Show^® ‘Wizard of Ahhs’ Veronica (Spike Speedwell)

Like a patch of violet blue paintbrushes standing ready to color your garden, this ahh-mazing new spike speedwell is incredibly floriferous. Its flowers appear for many weeks beginning in early summer, attracting pollinating bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden. The healthy, dark green foliage forms a low mound that stays in place and won’t spread around the garden. Even gardeners facing deer pressure can grow this perennial. Don’t miss it!

Hardy in zones 4-8, full sun to light shade, 14-16” tall, deer resistant

10. Shadowland^® ‘Waterslide’ (left) and ‘Diamond Lake’ (right) Hosta 

With the new addition of ‘Diamond Lake’, we now have two outstanding blue hostas in the Proven Winners lineup. First came ‘Waterslide’, a remarkably distinctive, medium-sized, light silvery blue hosta with long, somewhat narrow, rippled leaves. The new ‘Diamond Lake’ is a larger variety with broad heart-shaped, heavily corrugated leaves and light ocean blue coloring. Both varieties have excellent foliage substance which makes them less attractive to garden pests.

Hardy in zones 3-9, part shade to full shade, 14” tall (‘Waterslide’), 17” tall (‘Diamond Lake’)