Salvia guaranitica Large Form with Euryops chrysanthemoides

It's no secret that my garden looks pretty terrible in winter, relying so heavily as I do on warm-climate summer- and autumn-flowering plants. Many of these are now dormant or else have been cut back - or are just simply languishing miserably in the cold. Whilst I am trying to introduce more evergreen 'mass' to improve the desolate scene, I am finding some solace in the blooms that are dotted around the place, and in particular, the blue ones that are catching my eye at the moment. I love blue above all other colours, and in summer, it gives me the feeling of coolness. In winter, however, I find it cheers me up, especially when it is contrasted with some of the hot-coloured flowers of the season. I also love seeing blue flowers paired with gold- or lime-coloured foliage.

Browallia americana

Browallia americana

Amazingly, annual Browallia americana, a trouper in my summer and autumn garden, is still flowering on - late-developing seedlings are filling some of the sad spots where the Dahlia are resting underground and many other bare areas. To be sure, these seedlings are rather thin and gangly, with none of the robustness they show in full summer, but the beguiling flowers remain irresistible, and I am leaving them in until they succumb to the cold. These self-seeding plants all began with one single specimen from a friend many years ago, and now I cannot imagine my garden without them.

Salvia Omaha Gold

Salvia Omaha Gold

Much of the blue in my garden now comes from Salvia plants. Still blooming on from summer and autumn is Salvia guaranitica Large Form, with its royal blue flowers on a shrub around 1.3 m tall. It is not one of the invasive forms of this plant and is a great Salvia for long-lasting colour. It looks very effective grown with yellow or orange flowers: one of mine is nearby Tagetes lemmonii (mountain marigold, ht 1-1.5 m), which is smothered with dainty golden daisies from May to August. In another spot, the Salvia pairs with the yellow daisies of Euryops chrysanthemoides (ht 1 m, pictured at the start of the blog). As an added bonus, Salvia guaranitica Large Form can grow in a bit of shade as well as in sun. Another couple of Salvia with bold, rich blue flowers begin to come into their own in winter: Salvia 'Costa Rica Blue' (ht 2-2.5 m) and Salvia 'Omaha Gold (ht 2 m), both larger shrubs that need a bit of space - but they really do have a presence in the winter garden. Both are best grown in part shade.

Salvia rubiginosa (left) with Salvia elegans Purple (right)

Salvia rubiginosa (left) with Salvia elegans Purple (right)

A smaller specimen is Salvia rubiginosa, a long bloomer that flowers from June until October. Sometimes known colloquially as rosy bract sage, it grows to about 1-1.5 m tall and has cluster of small, rich blue flowers accentuated by purple calyces. It is a good companion to warm colours such as those of Abutilon and Justicia floribunda (which begins blooming soon and will continue for a number of months). I also have it paired with the bromeliad Aechmea gamosepala, which has unusual brush-like pink inflorescences tipped with the same colour blue as this Salvia, coming into bloom now. I also like it with burgundy flowers, as pictured above. Usefully, Salvia rubiginosa prefers to grow in part shade.

Pycnostachys urticifolia

Pycnostachys urticifolia

A plant related to Salvia (ie belonging to the family Laminaceae) is the unusual hedgehog sage (Pycnostachys urticifolia, ht 1-1.5 m). I am about to plant one of these, obtained from a garden club stall recently. I have grown it before and found it quite tall and straggly and I took it out for that reason, but was recently advised to plant it at the back of a border so that its gawky stems would be hidden by other plants. Its outstanding feature is the breathtaking blueness of its cone-shaped inflorescences in winter. The prickly seedhead that develops when the flowers fade apparently gives the plant its common name. I think it is best in a sunny spot: I plan to put mine near Cuphea cyanea, whose slim, clear orange trumpets are very floriferous at the moment.

Iris unguicularis thriving in the farm garden, Southern Tablelands of NSW

Iris unguicularis thriving in the farm garden, Southern Tablelands of NSW

Another splash of blue comes from the Algerian iris (iris unguicularis, ht 50 cm), a Mediterranean rhizome that grows reasonably well in Sydney (though it thrives much better in inland NSW where the winters are colder and the summers drier, as pictured at left). Its main appeal is that it blooms in winter, beginning in June, with the scented flowers appearing amidst the reedy, arching foliage. The buds are like tight scrolls, which unfurl to reveal the pretty flowers, which are mauve-blue in the species. It grows best in a dry, sunny and well-drained position.

Pansies bring bright colour to the winter garden

Pansies bring bright colour to the winter garden

Blue flowers, of course, can also be obtained by planting pansy or viola seedlings now. A large bowl of these delightful annuals can provide cheer all through winter, especially if mixed with orange or yellow versions! An instant effect can be achieved by buying 'bloomers' already in flower. Cineraria also comes in shades of blue and this is a useful shade-loving annual for winter through to spring.

My garden will never be a floral wonderland in winter, but these spots of blue can raise the spirits! I'd love to hear about other blue flowers that are around in June.