14 enchanting blue and lilac summer flowers
Blue and lilac summer flowers make a striking impression, bringing clarity and serenity amidst the lush greenery of summer. They pair beautifully with white and yellow-orange blooms.
Common corncockle (Agrostemma githago)
Sow seeds into warm soil in May. Late-summer blooms attract butterflies. Taller varieties may need support. Not fussy about soil conditions. Toxic.
Light requirement: full sun
Height: 40–70 cm
Blooming period: July–August
Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Sow directly into the ground or a pot. If you sow at the end of May, blooms will appear in July. Keep the soil moist, as flowering diminishes during dry periods. If the plant becomes scraggly, trim the stems halfway, and it will soon rebloom.
Light requirement: full sun to partial shade
Height: 10–20 cm
Blooming period: July–September
Tall verbena (Verbena bonariensis)
A tall, upright annual with small flowers clustered in tight, spherical heads atop slender stems. Thrives best in fairly nutrient-rich loam soil. Deadheading is not necessary. If growing from seed, start indoors in February.
Light requirement: full sun
Height: 90–120 cm
Blooming period: July–September
Bacopa (Sutera cordata)
Now also available in lilac shades, such as ‘Scopia Great Regal Blue’. Prefers consistently moist soil and suffers in drought. Fertilize regularly. No need to deadhead. Also thrives in sunlight, but be sure to water generously.
Light requirement: partial shade to shade
Height: 10–15 cm, trails down 30–50 cm
Blooming period: June–September
Bluemink (Ageratum houstonianum)
Dense, feathery clusters of flowers. Height varies by variety. Suitable for pots and balcony boxes; shorter varieties also make good border plants in flower beds. Keep soil consistently moist and fertilize regularly. Removing spent flowers extends the blooming period.
Light requirement: full sun
Height: 15–65 cm
Blooming period: June–August
Love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena)
Soak seeds before sowing and plant them sparsely about 10 cm apart at a depth of 1–2 cm in moist soil. Thrives best in fertile, limed loam soil. You can also sow the seeds in autumn. Produces decorative seed pods.
Light requirement: full sun
Height: 30–60 cm
Blooming period: July–August
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
Sow seeds as early as possible or in batches during spring and early summer directly at the planting site. The height of cornflowers depends on the variety and soil fertility; the tallest may need support. For container growing, choose a low and sturdy variety.
Light requirement: full sun
Height: 30–90 cm
Blooming period: July–September
Gentian sage (Salvia patens)
Only a few individual flowers open at a time, but the intense color draws attention. You can grow it from seeds starting in March. When all the flowers on the scape have bloomed, cut off the scape. Plant in fairly nutrient-rich, sandy soil. Water and fertilize regularly.
Light requirement: sunny
Height: 40–70 cm
Blooming period: June–September
Doubtful knight’s spur (Consolida ajacis)
Resembles the perennial delphinium. The tallest varieties require support, especially in windy locations. Sow outdoors in May or in autumn for blooms beginning in August. You can accelerate flowering by pre-growing seedlings in March–April. Prefers nutrient-rich, loose soil. The plant is toxic.
Light requirement: full sun
Height: 20–120 cm
Blooming period: (July) August–September
Common fan flower (Scaevola aemula)
Water and fertilize generously and regularly. Becomes lush and full once established. No need to remove old blooms. Flowering continues for a long time and even withstands the first autumn chills.
Light requirement: full sun to partial shade
Height: 10–15 cm, trails down 30–50 cm
Blooming period: June–September
Purple viper’s-bugloss (Echium plantagineum)
Sow directly at the planting site into regular garden soil in May. Also thrives in sandy and low-nutrient soil. Height varies by variety. May self-seed. Attracts butterflies.
Light requirement: full sun
Height: 30–100 cm
Blooming period: June–October
Trailing lobelia (Lobelia erinus pendula)
Abundant flowering and a popular hanging basket plant that likes consistently moist soil. Fertilize regularly. Start seeds indoors from late March or purchase seedlings. In sunny spots, ensure proper watering.
Light requirement: full sun to partial shade
Height: 15 cm, trails down about 30–40 cm
Blooming period: June–September
Baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii)
Ideal as a border plant in flower beds. You can also grow it in pots on the balcony. Seeds germinate easily when sown into moist spring soil. In very dry locations, aphids may bother the plant.
Light requirement: full sun to partial shade
Height: 15–20 cm
Blooming period: July–September
Pansy (Viola)
A popular and long-flowering plant. Wide range of colors, including many shades of blue and lilac. Water and fertilize regularly. Remove spent flowers and seed pods. If growth becomes leggy, cut back to 3–5 cm, fertilize, and water thoroughly.
Light requirement: full sun to partial shade
Height: 10–20 cm
Blooming period: (April) May–September (October)
Read more:
Beautiful summer flowers: tips for successful sowing and care [in Finnish]
