Fionnuala Fallon: True blue is relatively rare in the world of flowers, which makes it so covetable
Delphiniums are one of the best blue-flowering plants to have in your garden this summer. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty ImagesAs a gardener and flower-farmer-florist, colour fascinates me. Through trial and error, I’ve learned that some hues make natural bedfellows , while others are decidedly more edgy .
True blue is relatively rare in the world of flowers, of course, especially in late-summer, when hot colours dominate the garden. But it’s not its rarity that makes it so covetable so much as its ability to add depth, mystery, serenity and an air of sophistication to pretty much any planting combination. Sprinkle cool pops of blue through a hot border filled with electric pinks and shades of sultry orange and something special happens. Mix it through pastels and it stops them being sickly.
Blue delphinium is traditionally known for its tall spires of summer blooms in shades of kingfisher, peacock, gentian and cobalt blue. Photograph: iStockA great choice for milder parts of the country, this handsome, sun-loving perennial produces clusters of long-lasting starry flowers on tall, slender stems through summer and into autumn.
Long-flowering, fast-growing, versatile and almost un-killable, Geraniums are the mainstay of many flower borders. Photograph: iStockHardworking, long-flowering and pollinator-friendly, ornamental salvias have grown hugely in popularity in recent years. Blue-flowered varieties that will add a pretty pop of colour to the late summer-autumn garden include the frost-tender Salvia ‘Animo’ and Salvia ‘Caradonna’ .
August is a great time of year to sow seed of winter salad crops, including rocket, pak choi, corn salad, mizuna, tatsoi, claytonia and mustard. Recommended seed suppliers include all good garden centres as well as specialist online Irish suppliers such as
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