Red White and Blue Petunies for Celebrations
An old favorite flower is the Petunia ‘Razzle Dazzle.’ The flower is red and white or purple and white, but the plant description refers to the purple color as blue. The colors on each flower are in a star design. The flower colors planted together make a simple but effective red, white and blue flower garden for Independence Day celebrations. Plant them in pots or use them to edge a garden bed, insert American flags in each pot on July 4th for the Independence Day celebration. The Petunia ‘Ultra Crimson Star,’ a 1988 All-America Selections winner has a similar purple color and design.
Blue Flowers for July 4th Gardens
True blue garden flowers are difficult to find. Many blue flowers have a hint of violet or lavender or are a deep purple color. The name of the plant or color description can be different from how the flower color appears
Annual plants with blue flowers include morning glories, ageratum and lobelia. The perennial plants, Salvia ‘May Night,’ Veronica or Delphinium are garden ideas for the blue flowers in a 4th of July perennial plant garden.
In shade gardens, the Torenia ‘Summer Wave Blue’ is an easy garden idea. A miniature Hosta with blue leaves, such as ‘Blue Mouse Ears,’ can be combined in a container with red-leaved coleus and white flowers such as impatiens. This will make a striking shade garden display or can be planted in mass in a garden bed.
Red Leaves for Independence Day Gardens
Use leaf color for the red, white or blue. The development of sun coleus expands the variety of garden ideas when searching for plants requiring a part sun or part shade location. Solenostemon ‘Frilly Milly’ has beautiful red leaves. Shade coleus with red leaves planted is a great idea too.
Caladium for shade gardens is another option. There are Caladium with red leaves that will mix very well with blue hostas and white impatiens. For sun loving perennial beds, choose daylilies that have red or white blooms.
The perennial Lobelia and pineapple sage have red flowers on a tall, upright plant. They are excellent for butterfly gardens. Red petunias are popular; they will mix well with Ageratum ‘Blue Hawaii’ and Osteospermum ‘Asti White’ for an easy red, white and blue planting in a container or garden bed.
Silver and White Flowers for America's Colors
Dusty miller with its silver leaves tolerates sun and lamb’s ear in a shady garden is an excellent way to introduce the white for a red, white and blue flower garden. Plants with big, fuzzy leaves or a gray cast appear white from a distance and light up an evening sitting area or walkway.
The traditional white impatiens planted in mass with red impatiens gives a dramatic impression. Add the annual Lobelia; it tolerates part sun and grows better in cool temperatures while still adding the blue color.
Some gardeners eliminate one of the three colors if plant choice, color, light tolerance and location do not mix. For container gardens choose red, white or blue pots and plant them with flowers that have the other colors. Adding patriotic accessories to the garden is another 4th of July garden idea.
Permission received for all photos used in this article.
Chris Eirschele - Chris writes on plants grown and gardens explored; she is a member of the Garden Writers Association.
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