Ask a Master Gardener: Those Crazy Blue Daze of Summer

Blue Daze close-up by Melissa Wold

By: Melissa Wold, Mobile County Master Gardener |  www.mobilecountymastergardeners.org 

Summer classics: Elvis’ Blue Suede Shoes; Willie’s Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain; Evolvulus glomeratus’ Blue Daze.

Blue Daze is perfect for the Gulf Coast. She is heat-loving, sun-soaking groundcover resplendent with non-stop, sky-blue blooms and soft, silvery foliage. She brightens and softens garden bed borders and spills from hanging baskets. A true must for your garden.

A cousin of the morning glory (but without her pesky invasive wandering), they share traits of true-blue flowers opening with the wakening of the sun. Cool and calming, she brings a bit of Zen into the landscape.

This plant displays vibrant flowers, steadily from Spring through Fall. She blooms cyclically producing new blooms daily, especially when planted in full sun.

Blue Daze grows 6-12 inches tall, 2-3 feet wide. Despite spreading, it remains compact with a mounding habit. It’s dense foliage shades surrounding soil, suppressing weeds – a great side effect. Evolvulus glomeratus is a rare, true-blue flowering shrub. Each bloom has five delicate petals arranged in a simple star pattern. Though each flower only blooms once, it is replaced daily with an abundance of new buds.

Although Blue Daze is classified as an annual, the Gulf Coast climate makes it a tender perennial. My plants usually die back in the winter, reemerging in mid to late Spring. If growing in containers, you can bring them indoors, placing them in bright sunny windows and reducing water. You can also take cuttings in late Summer and plant in Spring.

Plant Blue Daze after the last frost and the soil temperature warms. Space plants 12-18 inches apart in a location with excellent drainage and full sun. If planting in containers, use a light-weight potting mixture. Blue Daze will not tolerate wet feet. She needs 6-8 hours of direct sunlight for maximum blooming. She can be planted in light shade but expect diminished flowers.

Blue Daze prefers sandy, well-draining soil but can tolerate lean soil enhanced with organic matter. After initial planting, water regularly until roots are established. Once established, she is drought tolerant. Overwatering is more harmful than underwatering. Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Fertilize when planting but avoid overfeeding.

This versatile plant requires minimum maintenance. She self-cleans, relieving you of the task of deadheading. If stems begin to stretch in late Summer, lightly trim for fresh, bushier growth.

Blue Daze is relatively pest resistant. You may see occasional aphids, spider mites or whiteflies but these can be controlled with insecticidal soap and neem oil. Good air circulation should nip these problems in the bud. Root rot is the most common disease, so keep her feet dry.

The most common mistake with Blue Daze is overwatering. She prefers slightly dry conditions and will decline in soggy soil. Also avoid planting in heavy clay. Sunlight is a must to guarantee abundant blooms and fuller foliage.

Blue Daze is a classic choice for our Gulf Coast gardens. As a ground cover, a border hem or spilling from containers, she gives dependable color with minimum maintenance. The plant’s blue flowers reflecting the tones of our sky and waters make her a fanciful addition to the landscape.

Blue Daze by Melissa Wold