Feeling Blue in the Garden? These Flowers Have Your Back!

Brilliant blues can capture our attention, evoke strong emotions, and spark wonder. From the vibrant blue of a butterfly’s wings to the crystal clear blue of the sky, this colour is often associated with relaxation, sadness, and even love. Let’s not forget the age-old tradition of “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” at weddings.

Blue flowers can be a rare find in nature, but they add an exquisite touch to any bouquet. If you want to ensure you always have something blue in your arrangements, you need the flowers in this list in your cutting garden!

Three small white pumpkins serve as vases for floral arrangements. Each pumpkin contains a mix of white and blue flowers, green foliage, and black berries. They are displayed on a whitewashed wooden surface.

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the Best Blue Flowers for cut flower growers

1. Bachelor’s Buttons

Also known as cornflower, bachelor’s buttons are a classic kid favourite. I have fond memories of my mother planting bachelor’s buttons for me, and I would always pick them and make little bouquets for her. Alas, as an adult, I do not feel as fondly about bachelor’s buttons as they are really difficult to harvest. The stems are very thin and get intertwined with each other, so sometimes you think you’re cutting one stem, but you’re actually cutting another.

Close-up of a vibrant blue cornflower with delicate, fringed petals and a dark center, set against a lush green background of foliage and blurred plants, highlighting the flower's intricate details and natural beauty.

2. Borage

Borage was new to me last year, and I was so happy that I could finally get it to grow. I was pleased to discover that it was cut and come again, and anyone who has grown borage assures me that I will have more of it than I will know what to do with in the coming years. I say, bring it on!

A person with long, dark hair is arranging a bouquet of blue and purple flowers. They are wearing a white shirt beneath a blue-striped shirt. The background is blurred, emphasizing the person and the flowers.

3. Delphiniums

These are some of my favourite blue flowers on this list. I like the light pastel blue of the Pacific Giant series the most. But any blue delphinium will do. If you’re really into delphiniums and you want to get into specialty varieties, then you should look up New Zealand delphiniums! They ship worldwide and have specialty varieties for cut flower gardens or cut flower production!

P.S. Did you know the inner circle of a delphinium is called a bee? So you can have a blue delphinium with a white bee, a blue delphinium with a black bee, or any number of varieties!

A bouquet of vibrant, tall purple and blue flowers against a plain white background. The stems and leaves are visible at the bottom, while the various shades of the blossoms create a striking, colorful display.

A bunch of purple-blue delphinium flowers with green stems lies on a light-colored surface. The flowers have small, delicate petals and are arranged in a tall, vertical cluster.

4. Eryngium

Eryngium (also known as Sea Holly) has been the bane of my existence the entire time I’ve considered myself a flower farmer. Every year, I attempt to start them from seed, and every year, I fail miserably. This year, I got 25 plants wholesale. Do I need 25 plants? Probably not. But alas, I feel like I stand a better chance than I would otherwise!

Close-up of a blue thistle flower with spiky petals and a textured center. The background is softly blurred with additional thistle flowers and green foliage, creating a natural, tranquil setting.

5. Flax

You can grow flax to use for the seed pods or for the flowers, but be warned that the flowers aren’t very long-lasting! However, they will continue to open along the stem and provide a delicate hit of blue to any bouquet! Flax is also considered a perennial where I live and doesn’t need good soil to grow.

6. Forget-Me-Nots

Another favourite of mine on this list. The blue of the forget-me-nots is possibly my absolute favourite blue of the entire garden! Forget-me-nots are apparently prolific self-seeders. However, I cut every single stem, so I’ve never experienced this problem. Sometimes in the heat of summer they can be a little wilty but just leave them in a cool spot overnight and they’ll usually perk right back up!

A close-up of a tall plant with delicate blue flowers blooming on slender stems. The plant is set against a blurred background of greenery and other slightly visible flowers. The overall look is natural and serene with the focus on the blue-flowered plant.

7. Garden Huckleberries

I ordered garden huckleberries on a whim many years ago because I thought they sounded interesting and wanted a new fruit source. Little did I know, they would never get ripe enough for a substantial fruit harvest. But I discovered I love using them in bouquets, and it is the only navy plant that I know of!

Close-up of a plant with clusters of small, round dark purple berries and green leaves. The berries are at various stages of ripeness, with some still green. The background is a lush, natural outdoor setting with more greenery.

8. Nigella

Also known as Love in a Mist. Usually, people grow this flower more for the pods than the flowers, but I think the flowers are dainty and whimsical, and even though they don’t last that long, I love to have them in my garden.

A cluster of delicate blue and white flowers with green feathery foliage grows on the ground, surrounded by scattered dry leaves. The flowers appear star-shaped and are evenly distributed across the plant, creating a lush, natural carpet effect.

A vibrant bouquet featuring a large yellow sunflower at the center, surrounded by various flowers including purple statice and blue and violet blooms. The bouquet is accented with green foliage and displayed against a light background.

9. Statice

It might look more purple than blue in the garden, but when it’s set against blue or arranged with other blue flowers, you can really see how blue it is! In 2023, I did not grow blue statice because I thought it was too similar to purple statice, but I do think it was a flower I missed and understand its importance in my garden now. I encourage you to grow both! When you’re working with these colours in the dead of winter, you’ll be happy you did!

A close-up shot of a garden bed with various flowers and plants. Blue flowers with tall green stems are prominent in the foreground, while smaller pink flowers and green foliage can be seen at the bottom. The background is blurred, showcasing more greenery.

A vibrant bouquet featuring a mix of white lisianthus, blue flowers, and purple accents. The arrangement includes white cosmos and sprigs of greenery, with small black berries adding contrast. The bouquet is set against a white wooden background.

10. Tweedia

I’ve heard this is a beautiful flower with a similar colour to forget-me-nots. I tried to grow this one year when it was an “it flower,” but it didn’t work out. I don’t even think I got a single seed to germinate. If I ever grow it successfully again, I will update this post with a photo!

A lush bouquet of white lisianthus, cosmos, and purple flowers with sprigs of greenery tied together with a pink ribbon, held against a rustic white wooden background.

Blue-Adjacent flowers

When paired with other blue things, these flowers tend to take on a more blue tone!

1. Cress

Cress is one of my favourite flowers of all time. If you haven’t planted it before, you should beware! I have free-range chickens, and they love cress just as much as I do!

A bundle of fresh, long-stemmed green leafy plants with small white buds and tiny flowers, laid out on a rustic wooden surface. The stems and leaves are lush, indicating vitality and healthy growth.

2. Dusty Miller

I don’t get the stem length that it seems maybe other flower growers get in warmer climates, but I still grow it because I like it for pumpkin arrangements and boutineres.

Close-up of dusty miller plants with their distinctive silvery-grey, lobed leaves. The foliage appears soft and velvety, creating a striking contrast against the darker soil and surrounding green plants. The image captures the unique texture and color of the leaves.

3. Eucalyptus

The Baby Blue eucalyptus is the best variety for its blue-adjacent colour. Everyone should try growing eucalyptus at least once. It is a long seed-starting commitment, but it’s totally worth it for the bragging rights!

Close-up image of pale green eucalyptus leaves in focus with other greenery blurred in the background. The leaves have a soft, silvery hue and their shape is round to oval, arranged alternately along the stem.

Related: How to Grow Eucalyptus for Cut Flowers (Even in a Short Growing Season)

4. Poppies

Not all poppies create the beautiful blueish-green seed pods in the photo below. When shopping through seed catalogues, make sure it says something about making nice seed pods in the description. For example, if you grow Iceland poppies or Amazing Grey poppies, the seed pod you get from them is decidedly ho-hum.

Close-up of several green poppy seed pods with intricate floral caps, set against a blurred background of lush greenery. The primary pod is in sharp focus, highlighting its texture and details.

Related: How to Grow Poppies in Zone 3

5. Precious Metals Zinnias

I hear these have a turquoise tinge to them as they age, so this might be a bit of a stretch because I haven’t grown them yet myself. I was lucky enough to snag a packet of them this year from Floret Flower Farm, and I shall report back! This is the first year Floret has made this variety available to the public, and I am so excited to try it! I will update this post with a photo once they bloom.

A hand holds a vibrant bouquet of flowers, featuring tall blue larkspurs, delicate white spikes, and small purple and white blooms. The mixed greenery and textured leaves enhance the arrangement, all set against a light beige siding background.

P.S. If you only want a container garden, you could also grow lobelia!

Are there any blue flowers I missed? Let me know in the comments!

If you liked this blog post, find me on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram to follow more of my farmer florist journey and join in the cut flower conversation! I also make weekly videos on my YouTube channel. You can also sign up for bouquet-making events and buy my flowers at my sister site Shifting Blooms. I hope to see you there!

SERIOUS ABOUT STARTING A CUT FLOWER GARDEN BUT NEED MORE HELP?

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You’ll EASILY grow $47 worth of flowers this year. In fact, once your garden starts producing, you’ll grow at least three times that amount of flowers in just one week. Don’t wait another season and lose time to costly mistakes.