An extra robust native bugle selection. Effective evergreen groundcover for shade. Chocolate glossy lvs. Deep blue spires in April/ May 15cm. Great for wildlife and as an edging plant.

Baloon flower. A compact perennial brandishing huge blue , upward facing bells rather like a campanula in mid summer. Good in sun and containers. 30cm

Unusual and tough perennial which is good for picking. The tapering, narrow spikes in mid blue are a neat as a pin and perfect for some vertical shapes in the border instead of delphiniums. Take the flower-heads off after their first flowering in May and you get a drawn-out reblooming through summer. Will gently seed about in good soil. 1.2m Sun

Scented Catmint is a favourite cottage plant for gardeners and pollinators alike when clouds of soft blue flowers appear in June & July. Cut it back after flowering and enjoy another show in Autumn. Aromatic foliage drives cats into ecstasy. 40cm x 60cm wide

Plume poppy. A great stately foliage plant with bold blue-grey leaves and subtle tawny panicles of flower that catch the evening sun. Tends to spread rapidly so good in wilder places or confined spaces. Ht 2m.

Another easy and dependable groundcover for shady places but this brunnera is a giant with bold silvery leaves up to 25cm long after the mist of blue spring flowers. Dies down in winter. Slug -proof 40cm

The Field Scabious is a magnet for insects and bees when it produces its masses of mauve-blue flowers from June to September. A native of limestone grassland and verges, in the garden it makes a dainty mass of wiry stems and in light soil will self-seed readily. Great for mini-meadows. Ht 40cm.

Easy and tough blue iris with lovely markings. This makes substantial tough clumps of elegant strappy leaves. Flowers June. Avoid dry- dusty soils. 60cm.

Long-flowering newer geranium cultivar with exceptional flowering performance. Clouds of blue from May – August . Mounds 40 x 40cm sun/part shade

All sea hollies are great for beneficial insects. This prickly customer is a brilliant irredescent blue and not too tall or floppy at just 40cm high. Pick the stunning flowers young and they can easily be dried and keep their blue sheen. 40cm Will seed about in light soil. Likes full sun.

Globe thistle. This is one of the best plants for pollinators when it flowers in high summer. Stately thistles which are great for picking. Cut back promptly to the base for a good Autumn repeat performance. 1.5m