Shades of Purple and Blue in Your Southern Garden

Note to the reader: These plants were all photographed in a Botanical Garden in Columbia South Carolina which is zone 8a.

    Photograph by Dawn Gagnon © 2023

Spanish Blue Bells

(Hyacinthoides hispanica) 

If you're looking for something to plant where other plants wont grow, while adding a lovely splash of blue Spanish Blue Bells may be the solution. These lovely bell shaped flowers point downward and each stalk produces around 12-15 flowers. These flowers are known for their ability to reproduce and spread in all types of soil, sun or shade and are ideal for a novice gardener.

Photograph by Dawn Gagnon © 2023

Wisteria

Wisteria is a member oddly enough of the legume family and they are absolutely beautiful with flowers resembling clusters of grapes. They have ropey climbing wood vines and are used to add color to fences and trellises. They can have a light smell or a pungent one depending on which type you buy. In the southeastern US this vine is often seen wrapped around the trunks of pine trees and in roadside ditches flanking dense forests. You can also find them in other parts of the world such as Canada, Japan, Vietnam, China, Korea and in the middle east. If you have lots of pets this plant could be toxic to them so use caution.

Photograph by Dawn Gagnon © 2023

Larkspur

(Ranunculaceae)

Delphinium

There are over 300 species of Larkspur so you will definitely have no problems finding this beautiful plant in your local nurseries and home and garden outlets.  The come in both annual and perennial varieties. They originate throughout the Northern hemisphere and are considered a toxic plant to humans and pets, so research this plant thoroughly before planting in your garden, especially if you have toddlers or pets that like to sample everything.

Photograph by Dawn Gagnon © 2023

Bengal Clock Vine

(Acanthaceae.)

Known also as Thunbergia Grandiflora, the Bengal Clock Vine is a plant by many names including Blue trumpet vine. It is a native of India, but it is found in a lot of areas of the world, including China, Nepal, Burma etc.  It can grow up to 30' and grow on woody vine stalks.