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)

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

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)

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.

Lacecap & Mountain Hydrangeas (Delicate Blue Blooms)

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

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)

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.