Intense Blue

Day 227: If you are looking for an intense blue perennial for your garden, it would be hard to beat Lithodora. The foliage of this ground cover remains green through the winter here in the Pacific Northwest, and begins flowering in early spring, reaching a peak in June or July. It spreads fairly rapidly, and while occasional patches die off now and then, they fill in quickly, often in the same season. The plant is pest-free and requires little care other than watering and cutting back if it becomes too rampant. I love having it spill out of the flower beds, where it covers the dandelions bordering my driveway.

As Blue As It Comes

Day 218: You want blue? Lithodora will give you blue almost non-stop! Even over the winter, a few flowers held on, but once the weather warmed up, this dainty, sturdy ground cover took off at high speed. It has a mounding habit, but also spreads rapidly and will form a nice cascade over a rockery or low wall. It isn't difficult to confine, although you'll need to trim it back a couple of times during the growing season if you want a more structured look in your plantings, but if you want a carpet of blue, let it run and enjoy the intensity.