17 Annual Flowers with Beautiful Blue Blooms

Looking to add blue flowers to your garden or patio pots? True blue flowers can be challenging to find, as most “blue” flowers are usually more of a purple hue. In this article we’ll go over some annuals that display a true blue color.

There are many perks to planting perennials, the main perk being they tend to be tougher in the winter, allowing them to come back year after year. Planting annuals has its perks as well – the main perk being that flowering annuals are available in many more colors, shapes, and sizes.

These small dainty flowers make great hanging baskets or potted plants. The flowers are available in light blue and blue and most varieties have small white blotches or ‘faces’ on them.

Lobelia can handle full sun in cooler climates or in early spring when temperatures aren’t super hot yet. In higher altitudes or in warmer climates, these plants will be happier receiving shade for part of the day.

Lobelia will flower in early spring to late summer but will begin to die off once warm summer temperatures are in full swing. This plant is known to reseed itself, so if you are able to let the flowers do their own thing after they die off for the season, you might be lucky enough to see them pop up early next spring!

Varieties to note: Riviera Midnight Blue, Sky Blue Lagoon

Bush Violet

	botanical name Browalia
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12 to 24 inches
	hardiness zones 9 to 10

Similar in shape to petunias and calibrachoas, these small bell-shaped flowers are a light blue to periwinkle color. They bloom prolifically throughout the season and do best in filtered light or partial shade – preferably morning sun. They can tolerate more sun in cooler climates, but too much direct sun can burn their leaves.

Plant these bold blue flowers with orange flowers such as begonias or new guinea impatiens for an eye-catching arrangement!

Varieties to note: Endless Illumination, Blue Lady

Dwarf Morning Glory

	botanical name Evolvulus glomeratus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 10 to 24 inches
	hardiness zones 8 to 11

These flowers tend to stay low to the ground and form a nice round shape. If planted in containers they will fill out and then spill over the sides. The trumpet-shaped flowers are light blue and smooth in texture and have small fuzzy white stamens in the middle, which attract bees and other pollinators.

It can be challenging to find a true blue flower, but Evolvulus does not disappoint when it comes to color! These flowers appear in a faded blue color and will produce blooms throughout the season all the way until the first frost.

Varieties to note: Blue Daze, Blue My Mind

Fanflower

	botanical name Scaevola aemula
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12 to 24 inches
	hardiness zones 10 to 11

Scaevola produces fan-shaped flowers all over its stems, which trail out of planters or hanging baskets. They grow best in full sun and will flower prolifically if given adequate sunlight. They can also be planted in shady areas, but they will grow fairly slowly and may not bloom as much as they would in an area that receives sun all day long.

Fan flower is very drought and heat tolerant and requires little to no maintenance. Deadheading, fertilizing, or pruning is not necessary.

Varieties to note: Fandango Blue, Whirlwind Blue

Summer Snapdragon

	botanical name Angelonia angustifolia
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12 to 24 inches
	hardiness zones 9 to 11

Angelonia is often confused with the popular annual snapdragon, which explains why it received its common name, summer snapdragon. These plants come in various shapes and sizes; some upright varieties can reach up to 24 inches tall, while the cascading varieties will stay lower and grow wide.

These flowers withstand the peak heat of summer and will bloom constantly throughout the season.

Unlike the common original snapdragons we are familiar with that will bloom once and then die off for a period, Angelonia’s flowers hold tight for weeks on end and keep producing new shoots and flowers. These can be planted in landscapes, containers, or even cut flower gardens.

Varieties to note: Serena Blue, Angelface Blue

Swan River Daisy

	botanical name Brachyschome iberidifolia
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12 to 18 inches
	hardiness zones 9 to 11

Swan river daisies are compact, easy-going plants that can be added to fairy gardens or walkways to add an interesting texture and pop of color. These small daisy-like flowers bloom prolifically throughout the season and have a subtle cottage-like appearance.

Varieties to note: Blue Splendor, Blue Zephyr

Blue Star

	botanical name Isotoma axillaris
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8 to 12 inches
	hardiness zones 10 to 11

Isotoma or star flowers are often grown as perennials in warmer climates and have fine, dark green fern-like foliage. Very similar to creeping phlox, the plant mounds and trails off once it fills out.

Plant these in full sun as they need to receive lots of sunlight in order to produce blooms. These plants are late bloomers; they usually bloom in late summer into fall if warm weather persists.

Varieties to note: Beth’s Blue, Gemini Blue

Nemesia

	botanical name Nemesia
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 10 to 18 inches
	hardiness zones 9 to 11

These fun, heat-loving annuals make great potted plants. Not only are these plants super hardy and heat tolerant, but they produce blooms in even the hottest of climates. Nemesia is available in many colors other than blue, such as red, yellow, orange, and even white.

The small tubular flowers persist throughout the season and are very low maintenance. Deadheading is not necessary, although it can help produce new flowers late in the season.

Varieties to note: Blue Gem, Bluebird

Bacopa

	botanical name Bacopa
	sun requirements Shade to partial shade
	height 8 to 12 inches
	hardiness zones 8 to 11

Bacopa is a great plant for areas that receive partial or filtered sunlight throughout the day. Too much direct sun will burn them, causing the leaves to get brown and crispy.

They have the habit of staying low to the ground and trailing, making them a great addition to patio planters, hanging baskets, or landscape borders.

Bacopa hosts small dainty blooms, and are available in pink, white, blue, and even purple.

Varieties to note: Versa Blue, Snowstorm Blue

Phlox

	botanical name Phlox drummondii
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6 to 12 inches
	hardiness zones 2 to 11

Often confused with perennial phlox, annual phlox has a similar shape and flower but is different in many ways. Annual phlox is available in a few more colors and does great as a potted plant or in small landscape spaces.

Annual phlox is also available in various shapes and sizes, the upright varieties range from about 10 to 12 inches tall. The trailing varieties of phlox do well in patio containers or hanging baskets.

Varieties to note: Intensia Blueberry, Beauty Blue

Salvia

	botanical name Salvia
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 8 to 24 inches
	hardiness zones 8 to 10

Salvia is one of the most robust and hardiest plants available to gardeners. Great in full sun and arid climates, and a prolific bloomer, Salvia is one tough cookie. It produces tall stalky flowers that are available in many colors. These tubular-shaped flowers attract loads of pollinators such as butterflies and hummingbirds and can also be used as cut flowers!

There are annual and perennial options when growing salvia. Both are very hardy and will hold up in hot and dry climates, however, annual Salvia tends to come in a few more color options, such as blue. When shopping for Salvia, be sure to check the labels when noting whether a plant is perennial or annual!

Varieties to note: Rockin’ Blue Suede Shoes Black & Blue

Morning Glory

	botanical name Ipomoea purpurea
	sun requirements Shade to partial shade
	height 5 to 10 feet
	hardiness zones 9 to 11

These wonderfully simple flowers climb trellises or fences to create a cottagey appearance. They prefer shady areas and are very sensitive to cold temperatures, so it’s important to plant them once the danger of frost has completely passed for the season.

Varieties to note: Blue Star, Heavenly Blue

Wishbone Flower

	botanical name Torenia fournieri
	sun requirements Shade
	height 10 to 18 inches
	hardiness zones 8 to 11

This bushy shade annual produces trumpet-shaped flowers in bold colors such as deep blues, pinks, and yellow. It has the habit of mounding, filling out containers or small areas, and then will begin to trail out of planters or hanging baskets.

The trumpet-shaped flowers are usually two-toned, where the inside of the trumpet hosts a lighter shade or complementary color. Plant Torenia with other vivid shade flowers such as new guinea impatiens or begonias for striking color combinations.

Varieties to note: Kauai Deep Blue, Summerwave Blue

Petunia

	botanical name Petunia sp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 8 to 36 inches (depending on type and variety)
	hardiness zones 9 to 11

Petunias are available in just about every color, blue being one of those colors. There are light blue and dark blue-ish purple petunias available, both have the same growing requirements.

When deciding which variety of petunia to plant, note that the variety can determine the size and shape of the plant.

Petunias propagated from seed are known to grow upright and mound, while petunias propagated from cutting or tissue culture are the spreading/trailing varieties. All petunias are just as hardy, but the growth habit can make all the difference when planting in a certain planter or location!

Petunias require full sun to flower prolifically and will benefit from deadheading throughout the season. If you are in an area that receives high precipitation levels, be sure to fertilize regularly to maintain healthy growth.

Varieties to note: Easy Wave Blue, Sky Blue

Johnny Jump Up

	botanical name Viola x wittrockiana
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 10 to 16 inches
	hardiness zones 7 to 10

Pansies are a great option for early spring plantings when the weather is unpredictable, and there is a chance of cold night temperatures. Once the weather starts to warm up, pansies will start to get leggy and die off for the season. For high-altitude gardeners or gardeners that live in cooler regions, pansies will persist through the entire season.

Pansies are available in many colors and sizes; planting mass amounts of pansies together in a landscape or in patio planters makes for a great pop of spring color!

Varieties to note: Cool Wave Blue, Blue Grandio

Floss Flower

	botanical name Ageratum
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 8 to 12 inches
	hardiness zones 10 to 11

Ageratum flowers attract loads of pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and many more! The round fuzzy blooms are small but appear in clusters covering the entire plant. These plants stay small and compact and do best when planted in garden borders, containers, or walkways.

The flowers stay on the plant for a few weeks at a time, then usually die off and turn brown. Not to fret! Simply pluck these dead flowers off to encourage new shoots and blooms throughout the growing season.

Varieties to note: Aloha Blue, Artist Blue

Common Ragwort

	botanical name Pericallis x hybrida
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 10 to 24 inches
	hardiness zones 9 to 11

Often seen in floral arrangements and bouquets, cineraria boasts beautifully bright, cheery, daisy-like flowers. The smooth, dainty petals open in early summer and are generally not fragrant, although some varieties are said to be more fragrant than others.

The bloom time for cineraria is fairly short, and the flowers will die back once the summer heat kicks in.

Varieties to note: Cornflower Blue, Senetti Blue