There’s something very soothing, even a bit mysterious, about blue flowers, don’t you
think?
Not only do they bring a cool calm to any garden, but they also tend to draw the eye in a
way that no other colour can.
If you are trying to create a coastal cottage vibe, a native bush look, or something
modern and bold, blue flowers are the kind of addition that’ll really make your garden
pop, and capture people’s attention in the process.
Of course, blue blooms aren’t as common as whites, pinks or yellows, which makes
them all the more special when you spot one. Not to mention harder to recall off the top
of your head!
Therefore, to help you out, this guide will outline 15 of the best blue flower names you
might want to include in your Aussie garden. It will also include plenty of details about
them, which can help you choose the right ones for your space.
- Blue Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)
Blue hydrangeas are absolute show-stoppers when they’re in full bloom and their big,
globe-shaped clusters of petals are impossible to ignore.
Notably, this species is known for its ability to change colour based on soil pH, so if you
want those iconic blue flowers, you’ll need acidic soil with plenty of aluminium in it.
These shrubs prefer part shade and do best in cooler regions of Australia like
Tasmania, the Blue Mountains, or Melbourne.
They’re also a great choice for adding structure to a garden bed or filling a dull corner
with colour. And while the blue shades can vary from pale baby blue to deep cobalt,
they always bring a sense of cool, classic beauty to your space. - Blue Salvia (Salvia farinacea)
Often called blue salvia or mealycup sage, Salvias are the workhorses of the garden.
Known for being a hardy, upright perennial that produces tall spikes of vibrant blue
flowers, these blooms not only look gorgeous but also attract bees, butterflies, and other
beneficial pollinators to your garden.
Salvia farinacea is easy to grow, tolerates heat and dry conditions, and flowers for
months on end. It is a great choice for those who want to add height and colour contrast
to garden beds, especially when planted alongside whites, pinks, or silvers.
Additionally, their foliage is slightly scented and has a soft, fuzzy texture, which adds
another layer of interest. So, if you’re looking for a low-fuss, high-impact blue flower, this
species is a real winner.
- Bluebell (Wahlenbergia stricta)
If you want your garden to impress with native Aussie blue flowers, you can’t go past
the humble bluebell. This delicate little wildflower is found across much of Australia and
produces bell-shaped blue flowers on thin, wiry stems.
While these plants may look fragile, they’re tougher than they appear. They do well in a
variety of soils and climates, self-seed readily and will often pop up in lawns, paddocks,
and rocky outcrops.
The soft, sky-blue colour flowers bloom throughout the warmer months and are
generally favoured for cottage gardens or more relaxed, bush-style landscapes. - Blue Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)
Despite its small size, the Blue lobelia is one of those flowers that packs a lot of punch.
The compact annual spreads out to form a colourful carpet of vivid blue flowers with
white throats that is ideal for hanging baskets, garden borders, or as a groundcover.
Additionally, the bright cobalt blue blooms contrast beautifully with green foliage and
make a fantastic filler in pots and planters.
This little plant thrives in full sun, so it can be a good way to provide shade during the
hotter months. Unsurprisingly, it enjoys regular watering, and with a bit of deadheading,
it’ll bloom from spring through to late autumn. - Blue Agapanthus (Agapanthus praecox)
Agapanthus is a garden classic in many parts of Australia, and while the more common
varieties lean towards lavender or pale violet, there are deep blue cultivars that are
simply stunning.
This flower produces tall flower stalks that are topped with large clusters of trumpet-
shaped blooms, which makes them perfect for borders, pathways, or creating a
structural feature.
They’re drought-tolerant once established, easy to grow, and happy in full sun to part
shade. Plus, they’re pretty much bulletproof, so they’ll grow in poor soils, bounce back
after dry spells, and require minimal maintenance.
If you are planting a coastal or Mediterranean-style garden, the blue versions add a bold
hit of colour that will work particularly well in your displays.
- Delphinium (Delphinium elatum)
If you’re after tall, dramatic blue blooms, delphiniums, with their striking spires of flowers
in shades ranging from pale blue to rich royal blue, are the way to go. They’re actually
considered a bit of a statement plant, which makes them ideal for formal garden beds or
cottage gardens with plenty of space and sun.
These perennials are best suited to cooler parts of Australia, where summers aren’t too
scorching. They love rich, well-drained soil and regular watering, but also require
staking as the flower spikes can get quite tall and top-heavy.
With a bit of care, they’ll give you a breathtaking display from late spring through
summer that will attract envious glances from your neighbours. - Blue Pincushion (Brunonia australis)
Notable for their round, button-like blue flowers that sit on slender stems above clumps
of green foliage, blue pincushion is another native blue beauty that is unique and eye-
catching.
It’s found naturally in various Aussie states and is ideal for native or low-maintenance
gardens because once established, it thrives in well-drained soils and sunny spots, and
is pretty drought-tolerant.
The bright blue blooms appear from spring into early summer and are excellent for
attracting native insects and birds. It’s an unusual plant that adds texture and something
a bit different to your planting palette, so if you want your garden to stand out, it makes
an excellent addition. - Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella damascena)
With a name as whimsical as Love-in-a-Mist, you’d expect something magical, which
this beautiful flower delivers in spades.
This charming annual produces delicate blue flowers surrounded by wispy, feathery
foliage, which gives it a rather soft and airy look. It is particularly favoured in cottage
gardens and wildflower meadows, partly because it is easy to grow from seed.
Nigella thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and once it gets going, it’ll often self-
seed year after year. The flowers range from pale powder blue to deeper shades and
are followed by decorative seed pods that are great for dried arrangements.
The best thing about Love-in-a-Mist is that it is the kind of plant that brings personality
and old-world charm to your garden without requiring much effort.
- Blue Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica)
Morning glory vines are known for their fast growth and dramatic displays, and the blue
version – Ipomoea indica – is no exception.
This plant loves the sun and will bloom most of the year in warmer parts of Australia.
With its deep blue trumpet-shaped flowers and lush green foliage, it’s a favourite for
covering fences, pergolas, or unsightly walls.
While it’s beautiful, it can also be quite vigorous, even to the point of being invasive, in
some areas. For this reason, it is important to keep it pruned and under control.
That said, if you’ve got the space and time to keep it in check, the pay-off is worth it.
The flowers only open in the morning (albeit gloriously), which gives you a fresh burst of
colour to start your day. - Blue Anemone (Anemone coronaria ‘Mr Fokker’)
Blue anemones, particularly the ‘Mr Fokker’ variety, are known for their vibrant blue
petals and contrasting dark centres.
A spring bloomer that adds an elegant pop of colour to flower beds and cut-flower
gardens, they’re grown from corms planted in autumn, and they do best in areas with
cool winters and mild springs.
The flowers resemble poppies and work beautifully in both cottage-style and modern
gardens. They are low-growing and make excellent companion plants for tulips or
ranunculus, as they offer a burst of blue when you need it most.
These beauties prefer full sun and well-drained soil and look especially striking when
planted in drifts.
- Blue Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
The blue cornflower is a classic cottage garden flower that’s loved for its rich, royal blue
colour and easy-going nature. For some reason, it is often referred to as “Bachelor’s
Button”.
Blue cornflowers thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, and they’re especially good for
adding colour to wildflower meadows or informal garden beds. They also make beautiful
cut flowers and hold their colour well when dried – a bonus if you like crafting or floral
arrangements.
Best of all, as it is an annual that self-seeds readily, once you’ve got it established, it’ll
likely pop up again year after year without much help from you. - Blue Himalayan Poppy (Meconopsis betonicifolia)
If there’s a blue flower that truly feels otherworldly, it’s the Himalayan Blue Poppy. This
stunner is known for its large, silky blue petals and almost unreal colouring.
While it is famously fussy and can be tricky to grow in Aussie conditions, in the right
climate, such as Tasmania or the cooler, shaded highlands, it’s a magical sight.
These poppies prefer rich, moist soil, filtered sunlight, and cool temperatures, and they
don’t like it too hot or too dry. This can provide a real challenge for some gardeners,
which makes the rewards of planting a thriving display of them well worth the hard
yakka and endeavour. - Blue Flax (Linum perenne)
Blue flax, or Linum perenne, is a charming perennial wildflower that brings a soft, airy
feel to the garden.
Its sky-blue petals are delicate and almost translucent, opening each morning to greet
the sun and gently falling off by night. But don’t worry, this plant produces new blooms
daily during its flowering season, which usually spans late spring through early summer.
Native to Europe but well-adapted to many parts of Australia, blue flax is incredibly low
maintenance. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and once it’s established, it’s
drought tolerant.
Its slender stems and graceful form make it ideal for naturalistic plantings or mixed
borders, particularly in water-wise gardens. Plus, its narrow green foliage provides a
lovely backdrop even when the flowers aren’t in bloom.
- Blue Scaevola (Scaevola aemula)
Scaevola, also known as fan flower, is a native Aussie plant that offers trailing blue
blooms in a fan shape, hence the name. It is incredibly tough, thrives in hot, dry
conditions and even does well in salty coastal air, which makes it ideal for hanging
baskets, retaining walls, or as a groundcover in sunny spots.
The flowers appear in abundance from spring to autumn and are a magnet for
pollinators. They are also very low maintenance and rarely troubled by pests or
diseases, which is always a bonus. - Blue Gentian (Gentiana acaulis)
If you’re after a blue flower that really pops, Gentiana acaulis, or blue gentian, is a real
eye-catcher.
Native to alpine regions of Europe, this plant produces large, trumpet-shaped flowers in
a deep, almost electric blue that’s hard to miss. The blooms sit low to the ground and
usually appear in spring or early summer.
Blue gentians are best suited to cooler climates and do well in rock gardens, raised
beds, or alpine-style plantings. They love slightly acidic, well-drained soil and benefit
from a bit of afternoon shade, especially in hotter Aussie regions.
Although they can be a bit picky about conditions, when they’re happy, this beautiful
species will reward you with one of the richest blues you’ll find in the plant world.