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An Amazing Blue Plant Combination – 4 Annuals to Try This Spring

BySue Libertiny

Vita Sackville-West’s Blue Plant Combination

As we step into the off season here in the Midwest, I want to start sharing garden design lessons I’m learning from old gardening books. I will be hosting a Wintertime garden design book club where we will dive into more lessons. Click here if you want to learn more.


I just dove into an old gem of a book titled “In Your Garden” by Vita Sackville-West.
The book is a collection of gardening essays highlighting Vita’s passion for gardening, innovative design, and plant relationships.


I’m only on page 67 and already have a ton of notes on plant recommendations.
Today I want to share a plant combination she first recommended on April 6, 1947.
This is how Vita Sackville-West introduces us to a brilliant blue plant combination…


“As a change from the usual jumble, pretty and gay though that may be, you might find it more original to concentrate on one colour. A combination of Phacelia, Nigella (love-in-the-mist), Nemophila, Asperula azurea, would give a brilliant blue effect, especially if massed in front of delphiniums.”

Let’s Take a Look at the Blue Plants

1. Phacelia campanularia (Desertbells)

Photo source – Stover Seed.com
  • Annual herb in the waterleaf family (Hydrophyllaceae)
  • Sometimes called California bluebells (native to CA)
  • Prefers a sunny location
  • Leaves are grey-green and oval Blooms Spring to early Summer in cooler climates
  • Grows 6-18 inches tall
  • Easy to grow from seed

2. Nigella (love-in-the-mist)

Photo source – Seed Seeds website
  • Annual that self-seeds freely
  • Prefers a sunny location
  • Common name is love-in-a-mist
  • Leaves are finely textured Variety ‘Persian Jewels’ come in shades of blue shown above
  • Blooms Spring to Summer
  • Grows 12 to 18 inches tall
  • Easy to grow from seed

3. Nemophila menziesii ‘Baby Blue Eyes’

Photo from Eden Brother Seeds Nemophila menziesii ‘Baby Blue Eyes’
  • Annual wildflower in a rare sky blue color
  • Prefers a sunny location with well-draining soil
  • Blooms in Spring
  • Grow 6-10 inches tall Native to CA, OR
  • Easy to grow from seed

4. Asperula orientalis (Blue Woodruff)

Asperula orientalis photo from Shoot Gardening
  • Upright, spreading annual
  • Grows 12 inches tall
  • Prefers a partial shade to sunny location with well-draining soil
  • Blooms in summer
  • Easy to grow from seed

I’d Love to Hear What you Think

What are your favorite blue plant combination? Have you grown any of the annuals on this list? Have you tried creating a garden made with blue plant combinations? Share your experiences or ask questions in the comments below.

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