Blue Wild Flowers for Your Garden

Planting wild flowers in your garden, or simply scattering wild flower seeds around an area of your yard are both ways to take advantage of Mother Nature's treasured gifts. Wild flowers are carefree, colorful, and tend to attract bees, butterflys and birds. So planting wild flowers not only gives you an easy maintenance flower garden... it also promises to be a constant source of interesting activity throughout the year.

The following wild flowers are blue to purple in color, and some say this is a favorite color of bees.

VIRGINIA or COMMON DAY-FLOWER (Commelina Virginica) - Spiderwort family

The Day Flower has blue, one inch wide or smaller flowers which tend to be irregular. The flowers are grouped at the end of the stem, and are upheld by long leaf-like bracts. The leaves are lance-shaped and 3-5 inches long. The upper leaves form like a hood of sorts about the flower. These wild flowers prefer moist, shady ground and flower from June through September.

The day flower tends to open in the morning and looking somewhat "alert". In the afternoon, or after the bees have visited and fertilized it, the petals roll up and quickly wilt into a wet, shapeless mass which will leave a sticky blue fluid on your fingers if you touch it.

SPIDERWORT; WIDOW'S or JOB'S TEARS (Tradescantia Virginiana) - Spiderwort family

The Spiderwort's flowers are purplish blue in color but on rare occasion they can be white. There's usually several flowers about 1-2 inches wide, and usually contain clusters of drooping buds between long, blade-like bracts at the end. This one can grow from 8-36 inches tall, and has long blade-like leaves. It prefers rich, moist woods, thickets or garden space, and it flowers from May through August.

Like its relative the dayflower, the spiderwort opens for part of a day only. In the morning it is wide awake and pert; early in the afternoon its petals have begun to retreat and wither away. New blooms appear each day throughout the season though.

WILD HYACINTH, SCILLA or SQUILL. QUAMASH (Quamasia kyacinthina; Scilla Fraseri of Gray) - Lily family

The Wild Hyacinth tends to produce many pale violet blue flowers, though once in awhile they can be white. There tend to be equal groups of 6 flowers on long, oblong-shaped branches. The plant tends to grow 1-2 feet tall, and has grass-like, short leaves. These wild flowers prefer meadows, prairies and stream banks, and they bloom from April to May.

These wild flowers tend to be low maintenance, and they propogate on their own, without being invasive. In addition to attracting bees, the Wild Hyacinth also tends to attract ants, wasps, flies, butterflies, and beetles.

Whether you prefer to start your flowers from seeds or potted starter plants, wild flowers are a wonderful addition to any type of garden. Creating a stand alone wild flower garden is also a fantastic way to make a great, naturalized impression in large or unused areas of your landscape.

Watch for future articles where I'll introduce you to many other wild flowers in a variety of other colors too!

© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard, The Garden Source Network - http://www.garden-source.com - A premier online publication featuring gardening articles, tips, advice, resources, shopping and supplies.

This article may be freely published on any website, as long as the author, copyright, website address and link, and this notice are left intact.

---

Dill: Scandinavias Most Important Culinary Herb

The ancient herb, Anethum graveolens or Fernleaf dill as it... Read More

The Zoo-Doo Man - Or How to Make the Best Compost in the World!

Is your garden soil great? Does it produce an abundant... Read More

Garden Sheds - More Than Just Storage

You may already have a garage or shed in your... Read More

Park Benches - Making the Right Choice

When most people hear the words, "park bench", they envision... Read More

How To Attract Hummingbirds

Yes! You can attract hummingbirds to your home. Even if... Read More

Why You Should Always Have Garden Furniture

You've put a lot of work into your garden, from... Read More

Want a Garden but Not Enough Room or Soil? Then Hydroponics Gardening could be for You

Hydroponics gardening is a great idea for anyone who wants... Read More

Ecological Landscape Design and Organic Lawn Care

There is a growing recognition, that the expanding suburban landscape... Read More

Garden Sheds: Wood Finishing and Weatherproofing Tips

To keep wood garden sheds, arbors, or trellises looking their... Read More

Greenhouse Buying Guide - Choosing The Right Greenhouse

When choosing a new greenhouse for your garden there are... Read More

How to Make Your Backyard a Wonderland Oasis

Home and garden accessories make the difference between house and... Read More

Patio Design and Patio Furniture - The Use of Focal Points

A focal point is an important design element; it is... Read More

How to Grow Apples

The first thing you need to grow apples is a... Read More

Home for a Gnome?

Kitsch is defined by several dictionaries as relating to poor... Read More

You Cant Beat Perennials For Glorious Color All Season Long

When you start gardening with perennials, it's easy to think... Read More

Tarragon: A Favourite of French Chefs

Long a favourite of French chefs, the herb Artemisia dracunculus,... Read More

Multi Purpose Tree ? Sugar Palm

Palm family is unique in the aspect that most of... Read More

Adirondack Chairs - The Proper Way to Care for Them

The Adirondack chair is unlike any other chair every made.... Read More

Safety On Lawn Tractors

Every gardener riding a lawn tractor should be concerned about... Read More

How to Win the War Against Slugs and Snails

Slugs are one of the most hated of garden pests.... Read More

Patio Accessories ? Complete The Great Outdoors

Patio accessories can range from small to large and of... Read More

How to for Lawns ? Mowing

How often you mow your lawn will depend on a... Read More

Decorate Your Outdoor Spaces on a Budget!

Many times when the weather becomes sultry, the only place... Read More

Cultivating Plants In Your Garden...What To Watch Out For

There are so many plants available for you to choose... Read More

Can Your Sundial Really Tell The Time?

"I am a sundial, and I make a botch Of... Read More

The Heralded Teak Furniture Manufacturer: Kingsley-Bate

With an average lifespan of 75 years, teak wood has... Read More

The Amazing Hummingbird

Without a doubt, hummingbirds are beautiful and interesting creatures.Those living... Read More

Natural Garden Pest Control

No dig gardens essentially strive to be their own ecosystem.... Read More

Selling Your House? Mow Your Lawn!

A property that has a well manicured lawn has one... Read More

Plants To Grow Old With or The Constant Battle

Following are a few paragraphs about the on going battle... Read More

7 Factors Needed for a Compost Pile

Compost, made from decomposed grass clippings, leaves, twigs, and branches,... Read More

Beauty With Indigenous Species

A garden a serves a man's every day need for... Read More

Adirondack Chairs - How to Choose One

In Blue Mountain Lake, New York, you will find a... Read More