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Chasing True Blue

Blue Flowers for a Calming Cottage Garden

There’s something quietly calming about a garden touched with blue.​

Blue Flower List

From soft hydrangeas to tall, airy delphiniums, blue flowers bring a sense of stillness and depth to a cottage garden. Here you’ll find a collection of varieties to help you create your own gentle, blue-toned space.

Blue Nepeta (Cat Mint)

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Varieties to Plant:​

  • Nepeta ‘Blue Wonder’ (12-18 inches)

Compact and tidy, with flowers that skew cool blue rather than purple—great if you want something neater for borders.

  • Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ (24-30 inches)

Often described as lavender, but in reality it frequently appears blue-violet to blue depending on soil and light. In cooler conditions, it can look surprisingly blue.

  • Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’ (3-4 feet)

This is probably the classic “blue nepeta.” The flowers lean periwinkle to clear blue, especially early in bloom. It’s vigorous, airy, and very cottage-garden friendly.

Blue Delphinium (Larkspur)

​Varieties to Plant:​

  • 'Cobalt Dreams’ (4-6 feet)

A striking true cobalt-blue garden favorite with classic white “bee” centers. Tall spikes make an unforgettable backdrop in borders.

  • ‘Blue Butterfly’ (Delphinium grandiflorum) (12-18 inches)

Compact but intense cobalt blue flowers on a low, bushy plant — perfect for front of the border, containers, or small gardens.

  • ‘Delphina Dark Blue White Bee’ (14-18 inches)

From the Delphina series, this dwarf type still delivers rich blue blooms with white centers without needing staking.

  • ‘Million Dollar Blue’ (30-36 inches)

Deep, vibrant blue flowers that stand out even among other blue blooms — a classic choice for cool, moist garden spots.

  • ‘Summer Skies’ / ‘Summer Nights’ (10-12 inches)

Sky-blue shades that bring a lighter, dreamy tone to your garden palette.

Blue Cornflower (Bachelor's Button)

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Varieties to Plant:​

  • 'Blue Boy’ (30-38 inches)

A classic true blue cornflower with vivid color. A good choice for the middle or back of borders and for cutting.

  • ‘Blue Diadem' (30 inches)

Large, deep blue blossoms on strong stems.

  • ‘Tall Blue’ (28-36 inches)

Traditional tall cornflower in a rich true blue.

  • ‘Dwarf Blue/Blue Midget’ (10-24 inches)

Compact blue cornflower for front of beds or containers.

Blue Hydrangea

​Classic Bigleaf (Hydrangea macrophylla) Blue Favorites

  • These are the hydrangeas most people picture when they think of “true blue” cottage garden blooms.​

Varieties to Plant:​​

  • ‘Nikko Blue’ (4-6 feet)

A classic choice with large, sky-blue mophead flowers in acidic soil and long season color.

  • ‘Penny Mac’ (4-6 feet)

A reliable rebloomer with light blue mophead flowers and a slightly heat-tolerant nature.

  • ‘Blue Enchantress™’ (3-5 feet)

As the name suggests, rich blue blooms with strong stems and reblooming ability.

  • ‘Blue Heaven’ (3-5 feet)

Lush, ethereal blue blooms perfect for borders or accent planting.

  • ‘Blue Deckle’ (3-4 feet)

Deep blue flowers with uniquely serrated petals add a delicate texture.​​

  • ‘Glory Blue’ (3-4 feet)

A compact mophead variety ideal for containers or smaller garden corners.

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​​​Lacecap & Mountain Hydrangeas (Delicate Blue Blooms)

  • These often have a more refined, flatter bloom form and can be great for mixed cottage beds.

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Varieties to Plant:​​

  • Hydrangea serrata ‘Blue Billow' (3-4 feet)

Sky-blue lacecap flowers with soft form.

  • Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Blaumeise’ (Blue Titmouse/Teller Blue) (3-5 feet)

Soft, delicate blue lacecaps with charming color.

Nigella (Love-in-a-Mist)

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Varieties to Plant:​

  • ‘Miss Jekyll’ (18-24 inches)

A classic soft, muted powder-blue flower with a delicate vintage look.

  • ‘Oxford Blue’ (20-30 inches)

Deeper true blue blooms; often slightly richer in color than common strains.

  • ‘Pretty in Blue’ (12-18 inches)

Bright, clear sky blue petals that stand out in mixed beds or bouquets.

  • ‘Blue Moon’ (12 to 24 inches)

Subtle silvery-blue tones with a dreamy, romantic appearance.

  • ‘Dwarf Blue’ (10 inches)

Compact, intense blue variety ideal for borders or containers.

Blue Flax

​Varieties to Plant:​

  • ‘Royal Blue’ (12-30 inches)

A classic blue-flowered variety with true sky-blue blooms. Compact and reliable in perennial beds.

  • ‘Blue Sapphire’ (10-15 inches)

Slightly deeper blue flowers with a long flowering season. Great for borders and pollinator gardens.

  • ‘Grandiflorum/Blue Flax’ (12-24 inches)

Large, vivid blue flowers on delicate stems. A cottage-garden favorite.

  • ‘Fairy Hair’ (12-24 inches)

Finer, more airy foliage with soft blue flowers. Works well in meadow plantings or alongside grasses.

  • ‘Blue Moon’ (12-16 inches)

Slightly taller habit with abundant blossoms. Lovely naturalistic look in mixed borders.

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