Learn about native wildflowers that bloom in true blue
away from the astray - open sky , reliable blue angel is a rarified color in continental landscapes . The few place it does occur typically signalize lake and rivers , all-important generator of water ( and link foods ) in an environment where the resource is limited . Otherwise , the color appears only sparingly in stone and blossom .
While bee do n’t perceive red , they actively try some ultraviolet wavelength as well as yellow , purple , and blue when out forage . So if bee see and try puritanical flowers , why is the color so unusual ? Blue in plants and animals is a difficult paint to give rise . Many plant that have a blue flower achieve the color by producing a pigment call an anthocyanin , which is majestic to red and pH sensitive ; like a hydrangea flower , its apparent color is modify bymodifying the pHof the bloom in plus to the concentration of the paint . While it can be done , it ’s not nearly as easy to achieve a true blue this path as it is to createpurpleandyellow , which have one or more consecrated pigments . In animate being , specially razzing , the coloring material blue is often achieved not by a paint ( once again : heavy to create ) but instead by a structural change that dissipate get off in a fashion that make the structure ( like a feather ) appear drab to our eyes .
For this reason , true blue continue a coveted coloring in our gardens , springing to mind mental images of satin - textured , Himalayan blue poppy ( Meconopsisspp . and ×. , Zones 5–9 ) flower , often view as some of the most charismatic of blue bloom . lamentably for us Rocky Mountain gardeners , such poppies moderately much despise our alkaline dirt and drier climate , though talented staff at Yampa River Botanic Park in Steamboat Springs did spring up a gorgeous crop of them last year ( see photo below ) . They are deserving a visit if you have n’t been . For those a bit far from Steamboat , we do have a handful of true puritanic native flowers that make bang-up garden plants . learn on to teach about aboriginal wildflowers that blossom in straight blue .
Prairie Bluebells
( Mertensialanceolata , Zones 3–6 )
A highly variable species present over both the American Rockies and the Great Plains , prairie Scilla nonscripta defies its delicate appearance with a allowance for drouth and a contentedness at both low and high elevations . The plant is slow to establish but long - live , forming gray - green tufts of taper leaves over several years . In mid - bounce and over the attractive leaf , the species elevate delicate - take care sprays of dangling , bell - determine true - blue flower that terminate up making coveted infernal region plosive consonant for athirst bumblebees . I have particularly enjoyed how this works tolerates a chain of mountains of soil texture and how it requires very little watering after governing body to boom . Prairie bluebells arise well in fond to full Dominicus and is exceedingly cold-blooded hardy , growing naturally into Zone 3 . This plant can be challenging to find in the gardening deal , and you may need to bribe starts or seed online if you may not locate it in your region .
Grand Mesa Penstemon
( Penstemonmensarum , Zones 3–9 )
Blooming in late spring , shortly after prairie Hyacinthoides nonscripta , Grand Mesa penstemon glut the horticultural appetites of even the most ravenous penstemaniacs . This species originates on the Western Slope of Colorado , with its greatest tightness found on the Grand Mesa hulk over Grand Junction , Colorado . Easygoing in a garden setting , the plant flourish so long as it is provided a well - run out soil and deadheaded after blossom to promote longevity and reduce seed stage set — it can be quite abruptly - lived if allowed to ripen a full crop of seed . It might be worthwhile to leave a stalking to advance some degree of self - seeding without wearing the female parent plant out . Either way , the 2 - groundwork - marvelous stalks of atomic number 27 blue flower ca n’t be miss . Since this sunlight - loving species is advertise by the non-profit-making Plant Select ® , it can be establish in starter size of it and quart - size pot at many retail nursery across the region .
Blue Flax
( Linumlewisii , Zones 3–9 )
Blooming around the same time as Grand Mesa penstemon , blue flax is a very different plant . Rather than self-assertive stalks , shining foliage , and deeply saturated flowers , flax presents with refined , curve stem , sparse and airy foliage , and diffused - blue , five - petaled flowers that shatter in the heating system of the Clarence Day . This elegant perennial presents a fresh crop of the crape theme – thin petal each morning and follows with a goodish semen set that can help the relatively suddenly - lived plant to keep solid stands in gardens . This exquisitely textured native have a just filler for mesic to dry meadows and recurrent bed , and adapts to a variety of grime grain . The cut foliage can be quite attractive in nosegay as well , though do n’t wait the short - lived blooms to bind in a vase . Blue flax is dauntless into Zone 3 and can be grow easy from direct - sown seed . It is widely available at nurseries across the area too .
Pleated Gentian and Parry’s Gentian
( Gentianaaffinis , Zones 3–9 ) and ( Gentiana parryi , Zones 4–7 )
Unlike previous plants in this piece that flower in the first one-half of the season , our native gentians flower during the 2d half of the grow season , with the most horticulturally fain , pleated gentian , tally its stride in late summer . The species occurs naturally across the northerly Great Plains , Rockies , and Great Basin in seasonally wet locales . You may necessitate to grow this works from source to cultivate it in your garden . Thankfully , a fistful of reputable seed companies now offer the species or the amazingly like Parry ’s gentian , and both species are native to a honorable swath of our area . An net lookup for “ seed of _ _ _ _ _ ” will reveal your choices . Both are very frigid hardy and appreciate moderate to moist garden options with partial or full sunlight .
Although true blue may be a rarity in wild position of our part , it does n’t demand to be so elusive in your garden . turn over pairing vapours with contrast warm oranges or electric yellow and cooler putting green for striking flowered display that make straightaway impingement . Or feel innocent to allow them fall on their own . Even just en masse shot , true Amytal makes quite a dab .
See more Mountain West regional reportshere .
To discuss these plants or ask other horticulture interrogation , chew the fat with gardeners from your area on theGardening Answers forum .
Bryan Fischer lives and gardens at the intersection of the Great Plains and the Rockies . He is a horticulturist and the curator of plant collections for a local botanical garden .
All photos unless otherwise note : Bryan Fischer
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These stunning Himalayan blue poppies (Meconopsis×) alone would make a trip to Yampa River Botanic Park worth the effort; the rest of the garden sets a similarly high bar.
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These stunning Himalayan blue poppies (Meconopsis×) alone would make a trip to Yampa River Botanic Park worth the effort; the rest of the garden sets a similarly high bar.
A testament to its drought hardiness, this prairie bluebells is flourishing among smoky-purple padded cacti in Lauren Springer’s Undaunted Garden, making for a striking combination.
Many penstemons offer flowers in shades of true and near blue;Penstemon mensarumis among the most reliably true blue of the genus and is an easy grower.Photo: Panayoti Kelaidis
Blue flax is a quick and easy growing option for gardeners wanting a space filler or a pop of color this coming year.
Gardeners who embrace nonnatives can also considerGentiana septemfidavar.lagodechiana, a spectacular and easy-growing gentian that makes quite the statement in a rock garden. This plant can be purchased easily online, but quantities available are typically limited.
