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Venus Flytraps, Carnivorous Plants and More at Meanplants.com	Annuals Dark Star Coleus "The Coleus Dark Star, `Coleus hybrid,' with its dark purple foliage glowing with a subtle sheen and nicely shaped scalloped edges explodes with brilliant colors in sunny locations. These new, bigger, sun loving varieties of plants have completely revolutionized container gardening. These are durable and easy to grow tender perennial plants. Frost will easily kill them, and they are commonly damaged by poorly drained soils or excessive watering. Coleus plants that are suffering from too much moisture will be stunted, with brown leaves and scorched leaf margins. In zones ten through eleven, Coleus Dark Star will become completely perennial." $10.95 Buy now!	The Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt', 'Paeonia', a fall planted bulb. The Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt is one of the most popular Double Peonies. This gorgeous variety produces large, soft pink flowers, of perfect form with a delightful fragrance. They produce superb, long lasting cut flowers. During late spring-early summer, they fill the garden with fragrance. Peonies usually take a few years to establish and bloom heavily. Staking is recommended. Peonies attract butterflies and are great cut flowers and borders. The Spanish Bluebells  Hyacinthoides hispanica ', is a fall planted bulb. These Spanish Bluebells produce elegant flowers with a heavenly, sweet perfume. This is one of the tallest-growing Scilla species. Hanging from the sturdy, round flower stalks are lots and lots of broad, bell-shaped flowers. Bluebells bloom for a 3 week period in late spring/early summer. Spanish Bluebells are great for mass planting, containers, rock gardens, and borders. The Hibiscus 'Plum Crazy', is one of the Fleming's most colorful varieties of Hibiscus. The plum shaded flowers have a 10" bloom with a plant height of 4'. The dark purple, maple-cut leaves make a great contrast. Named by Dave Fleming himself, 'Plum Crazy' took over 20 years to develop and refine the species and one can see why. It is best to plant this Hibiscus in a full sun area and it will tolerate most soil types. 'Plum Crazy' looks wonderful with grasses, as a background plant or with Hibiscus 'Fantasia' and Hibiscus 'Old Yella'.

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Brighten Up Your Garden With Blue Perennial Flowers

 

Blue flowers are some of the most striking plants around and can add a rich splash of color to any garden. Plant them in a cluster of all blue or mix them in with other flowers for a rainbow of color.

When planting flowers, it is important to remember to follow the instructions on the tag for the plant. Always buy plants that will thrive in the conditions in which you intend to grow them. A plant that loves sun won't do well in a shady area and you will only be disappointed with the results.

When planning your garden, be aware of the bloom time of the flowers. Planting perennials with different bloom times near each other will insure a garden that has blooms all season long. Remember also to plan for the height of the plants, putting the taller ones in the back.

Below is a list of favorite blue flowering plants that you might want to consider for your garden:

Polemonuim, Blue Pearl - A compact plant with deep sky blue flowers that grows to 10". It blooms in late spring to early summer. Plant in partial shade and in well drained soil.

Blue Sea Holly - This dramatic plant has a lavender blue cone like flower with long spiked petals. It grows to 30" and is a favorite for dried flower arrangements. Plant in full sun - blooms in mid to late summer.

Delphinium, Butterfly Blue - Bright blue delicate flowers adorn this plant that blooms in early to mid summer. It reaches 10" tall and prefers a sunny location with rich moist soil.

Campanula, Blue Carpet - Bright blue to lilac colored flowers bloom for weeks in the middle of summer. This low growing perennial grows to 4" and prefers full sun with well drained soil.

Penstemon, Blue Buckle - This plant has tubular shaped blooms in blue to purple and flowers in mid summer to early fall. It grows to 15" and likes well drained soil with full or partial sun.

Hydrangea, Nikko Blue - Gigantic clumps of blue flowers adorn this shrub for most of the summer. In the fall, the flowers turn a golden color. This plant is a new variety that prefers rich soil but will grow in shade, partial sun or full sun.

Vinca - Medium blue flowers and glossy green leaves form a carpet that grows to about 6" tall and blooms in mid spring. This plant will grow in most soil conditions, in the shade or sun.

Ajuga, Bronze Beauty - This short bushy plant has spikes of blue flowers that grows quickly. Great as a ground cover or in raised beds. It blooms in spring and prefers a shady area.

Scabiosa, Butterfly Blue - A bushy perennial with lavender blue flowers that bloom from June to October. This plant likes full sun and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Verbena, Babylon Blue - Blue purple flowers petals adorn this plant that blooms in early spring. Great for window boxes and planters.