I don't know anyone who wouldn't like the beautiful azure of the August sky. But you don't have to wait until high summer to see it. It is enough if we plantblue spring flowersin the garden, the colors of which will remind us of the reflection of the summer sky. Find out about the plant species that are perfect for varying the color palette in the garden, and at the same time not too demanding when it comes to growing conditions. Even a novice gardener may be tempted to do so. Here are the charmingblue spring flowers
Blue spring flowers - Hepatica
The season forblue flowers in the gardenbegins in mid-March and continues until the first frost. However, I would like to focus on a few more interesting species and varieties of plants that should find wider use in our gardens thanks to the beautiful color of flowers and the spring flowering period.
Blue spring flowers - hepatica
Firstblue spring flowersbloom the tireless liverworts (Hepatica) adding charm to any corner of the garden where they appear. In cultivation, the most common is the Hepatica (Hepatica nobilis) with small star-shaped flowers in a delightful shade of blue andTransylvanic hepatica(Hepatica transsylvanica) with a similar color, but with flowers much larger than its predecessor.
Teblue spring flowersoriginally inhabited areas of Transylvania (also known more commonly as Transylvania).In the old days, these plants were used to make medications for liver diseases, believing that if any part of the plant resembled a given organ, it was a miracle cure for all its ailments. Hepatics grow well in the partial shade of deciduous trees, especially beech trees, whose fallen leaves lying in a thick layer on the ground constitute a mulch that prevents water loss from the soil. These plants prefer a constantly moist, humus soil with a slightly alkaline pH. In a suitable position, they sow by themselves, thanks to which the spot of blue created by theseblue spring flowersgrows from year to year.
Blue spring flowers - anemones
During the flowering period, hepatica comes to life another plant that gave rise to a beautiful garden variety with blue flowers. We are talking about an anemone (Anemone nemorosa), the first part of the Latin name means 'dancing in the wind' and it probably refers to flowers mounted on delicate stems that spin when the wind blows.Currently, many varieties of wood anemone are grown, but in my opinion the most beautiful is 'Allenii' with larger than species, flowers in a beautiful shade of blue.
Blue spring flowers - coronary anemone 'Mister Fokker'
Teblue spring flowersare great for filling empty spaces under tree canopy in the early spring period and remain decorative, thanks to their serrated leaves, until mid-summer. Their requirements are limited only to the increased amount of light during the flowering period and humus substrate.We reproduce this variety, as well as the others, by dividing the brittle, thickened roots during the period when the plants are dormant (end of summer).
Blue spring flowers - illusions
Another plant indispensable in under-canopy plantings among deciduous trees and shrubs isspring delusion(Omphalodes verna).It is a species of fast growing perennial with low requirements for light, water and soil. Plants create luscious blue flowers in a vivid blue color at the turn of April / March. Flowering begins before the leaves have fully developed, so overgrown clumps form azure 'puddles' in various corners of the garden, introducing such a rare color to the beds.
Blue spring flowers - spring illusion
Another species related to the above plant iscappadocka(Omphalodes cappadocica), or rather its 'Starry Eyes' variety with sensational white flowers with a wide blue stripe through the center of each petal. Plants have very similar requirements to spring delusions, and during flowering they are a real decoration of the garden. After flowering, plants prefer light shade, so having shrubs or trees that shade them is highly recommended.
Blue spring flowers - brunner
Caucasian forget-me-not, as some people calllarge-leaved brunner(Brunnera macrophylla) is another top-notch species when it comes toblue spring flowersPlant blooms before the leaves fully develop with pretty bunches of flowers resembling forget-me-nots (hence its common name). Flowers flourish at their peak in early April, but flowering continues until May. The large-leaved Brunner has no special requirements in terms of growing conditions. It will only be grateful for a non-drying stand and for fertilizing with compost once a season. If the place where we plant it is suitable for her, she will soon give us offspring from abundant self-seeding.
Blue spring flowers - large-leaved brunner
Blue spring flowers - mertension
A remarkable beauty among theblue spring flowers , originally from far North America, isvirginian mertensja(Mertensia virginica). Considered whimsical, well suited for semi-shaded places under the canopy of taller trees. It grows excellently in fertile, humus soil that does not dry out in spring and summer. Its beauty is determined by hanging clusters of juicy blue bell-shaped flowers gathered in large clusters at the top of a forty-centimeter stem. During flowering, no one passes by it indifferently.The only disadvantage of this species is that the entire above-ground part of the stem dries up quickly after flowering. Only the fleshy roots remain, thanks to which the plant will recover next year. With this in mind, it is worth planting it near plants that are just beginning to develop during its flowering in April / May, and will fill the bed when the mertension goes dormant.
Emil Gwizdała
