Blue Daze (Evolvulus glomeratus) is a captivating, low-growing perennial admired for its vibrant, true-blue flowers that bloom profusely. This Brazilian native offers a continuous display of color against its fuzzy, grayish-green foliage, making it a popular choice for various garden settings. Companion planting involves strategically placing different plant species together to achieve mutual benefits, such as enhanced visual appeal or improved plant health. This gardening approach leverages the unique characteristics of each plant to create a more harmonious and thriving environment.
Blue Daze Growing Requirements
Blue Daze thrives in ample sunlight, requiring full sun exposure (at least six to eight hours daily) for abundant blooms. While it can tolerate some partial shade, especially during the hottest parts of the day, too much shade can reduce flowering and lead to leggy growth.
Blue Daze adapts to various soil types, including sandy or poor soils, but good drainage is essential. Wet soil conditions quickly lead to fungal diseases and shorten its lifespan. Once established, Blue Daze exhibits drought tolerance, though young plants benefit from regular moisture to establish their root systems. In warmer climates (USDA Zones 9-11), it functions as a tender perennial, but in cooler regions, it is commonly grown as a heat-loving annual.
Principles for Companion Planting
Selecting companion plants for Blue Daze begins with matching their needs. Plants sharing similar requirements for full sun and well-draining soil will thrive together, simplifying care and reducing competition. This compatibility ensures all plants receive adequate light and moisture without one overshadowing another.
Considering growth habits helps prevent overcrowding and creates visual interest. Blue Daze forms a low, spreading mound, making it an excellent groundcover or edger. Pairing it with plants of varying heights, such as taller specimens for background structure or other low growers for foreground accents, creates a layered and dynamic display. Root depths should also be considered to avoid underground competition for nutrients and water.
Aesthetic harmony plays a role in designing a visually appealing garden. Complementary colors, like yellows, oranges, or whites, create striking contrasts with Blue Daze’s blue flowers. Incorporating plants with different foliage textures or shapes, such as fine-leaved grasses or broad-leaved succulents, adds depth and complexity. Some companions can also deter common pests or attract beneficial pollinators, indirectly supporting overall garden health.
Recommended Companion Plants
Several plant species complement Blue Daze due to their shared growing preferences and aesthetic qualities. For vibrant contrast, yellow or orange marigolds (Tagetes) offer bright, cheerful blooms that stand out against Blue Daze’s cool blue. Their compact size aligns well with Blue Daze’s low habit, making them suitable for front-of-border plantings.
Zinnias, particularly the ‘Profusion Fire’ variety, provide color contrast with their fiery hues and a similar preference for full sun and well-drained conditions. These heat-tolerant annuals bloom continuously, mirroring Blue Daze’s long flowering season. For a subtle combination, white-flowered plants like white lantana create a refreshing, clean look. Lantana varieties are known for their heat and drought tolerance, making them suitable partners.
Salvia, such as ‘Playing the Blues’ Salvia, offers upright spikes of blue or purple flowers that echo Blue Daze’s color while adding vertical interest. Many salvias are drought-tolerant and prefer sunny, well-drained locations. Sedum, often called stonecrop, is another companion, providing succulent foliage and late-season blooms that attract pollinators. Its low-maintenance nature and ability to tolerate heat and drought align well with Blue Daze’s needs.
For textural variety, creeping thyme can serve as a groundcover companion, offering fine-textured foliage and small blooms that complement the fuzzy leaves of Blue Daze. Cuphea, with its airy texture and continuous blooms, provides another choice for contrast, especially in container plantings. These plants share Blue Daze’s preference for sunny locations and good drainage, ensuring a cohesive and thriving display.
Designing and Maintaining Your Blue Daze Garden
Thoughtful arrangement of plants enhances both visual appeal and individual plant health. When designing a bed, position Blue Daze towards the front, allowing its low, spreading habit to cascade or form a border. Taller companion plants can be placed behind Blue Daze to create a tiered effect, ensuring all plants receive adequate sunlight. Consider the mature size of each plant to provide adequate spacing for air circulation and growth.
Blue Daze also performs well in containers, where its trailing stems can spill over the edges. For container gardening, select companions with similar watering needs that do not become too large, ensuring the pot does not become overcrowded. Combining Blue Daze with upright annuals or thrillers in the center of a container creates a balanced and dynamic arrangement.
Ongoing care for a combined Blue Daze garden involves moderate watering, allowing the top few inches of soil to dry out between applications to prevent fungal issues. Established Blue Daze is drought-tolerant, but consistent moisture during prolonged dry spells benefits the entire planting. Light feeding with a balanced fertilizer once a month during the active growing season encourages continuous blooms. While Blue Daze is self-cleaning, removing spent blossoms from companion plants encourages more flowering and maintains a tidy appearance.