Blue mistflower is a native perennial wildflower admired for its ethereal blue blooms, which bring a soft and captivating charm to any garden. A thriving stand of blue mistflowers is a constant delight for gardeners in the Coastal Bend.
As a Texas native, blue mistflower is easy to grow and thrives in the right conditions. Found naturally near stream banks and in lush meadows with ample rainfall, these plants flourish when their natural habitat is mimicked. Enhance your garden soil with generous compost and fertilizer at planting time, and keep the area well-watered throughout summer to support healthy growth.
Blue mistflower blooms from mid-summer through late fall. Be sure to plant in full sun, as too much shade restricts flowering and plant height. If the plants become withered in the heat, add a thick layer of native leaf mulch around the base of the plants to cool the soil.
Bees of many shapes and sizes will buzz around the flowers into winter to take nectar for making their honey. Hummingbirds will also make a stop at your mistflowers on their way south in the fall.
While blue mistflower’s ability to reseed and spread may seem like a drawback, it’s often a welcome trait. Its dense, aggressive roots are excellent for choking out grass and weeds, making it an ideal medium-height ground cover. If the plant spreads to unwanted areas, it can be easily managed by digging it up with a shovel.
Blue mistflowers are also easy to propagate. Take cuttings to grow new plants or sow seeds directly into the garden. For an early start, consider planting seeds this January or growing potted plants to adorn a sunny windowsill.
Gardener’s Notes
Growing Up: Spacing, 18” to 24”. Height, 24” to 36”. Full sun; too much shade will prevent blooming. Plant by transplant or seed, spacing at 18” for a dense, bush-like appearance. Requires rich, well-drained and moist soil. Add 4” of organic compost, plus 1/2 cup of pastured poultry manure and 1/2 cup of homemade wood ash per square foot. Sow seeds to a depth of 1/8” and thin to the desired final spacing. Water regularly throughout summer for optimal blooms. Mulch with native leaves.
Profiling: Blue mistflower spreads through rhizomes and self-seeding. Its aggressive growth often chokes out or repels nearby weeds or grasses. Easy to propagate by cuttings: in spring, place a cutting in water until roots form, then plant in potting soil. Seeds can also be sown directly into a pot or garden in full sun. It makes excellent cut flowers, adding an ethereal touch to a robust bouquet. Cut flowers last 4-5 days in a vase.
Fun Facts: Blue mistflower transplants can be found at local nurseries. It’s also easy to grow from seed in a garden or pot. The seeds are available from Native American Seed in Junction at seedsource.com. This fantastic gardening resource offers thousands of native seeds online, shipped directly to customers. If you’re passing through Junction, visit the store for classes or a tour of its stunning facilities.
