Garden blues can be pale and luminous, dark and glowing. In their infinite tints and shades, they create emotions, and excitement and draw the eye. Blues in the distance, such as banks of blue flowers, compel motion and push out the garden boundaries, giving the illusion of space and distance.

• In this contemporary blue garden, minimalism is the key. Large quantities of one type of plant provide the perfect effect in this space with its clean, simple lines and contours.

• If you prefer low-growing varieties, you can consider fields full of Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica), edgings of Iris reticulata or Grape Hyacinth (Muscari), a river of Grecian Windflowers (Anemone blanda ‘Blue Shades’) and masses of purple-blue crocuses.

Anemone blanda 'Blue Shades', Chionodoxa forbesii, Muscari azureum

Crocus sieberi

Crocus tommasinianus Whitewell Purple

• If you prefer container gardening, choose Grape Hyacinths (Muscari) or the rich and heavily scented Hyacinths (Hyacinthus).

Muscari armeniacum

Hyacinthus 'Blue Festival', Muscari

• The taller bulb flowers provide other choices such as purple-blue Ornamental Onions (Allium) or Quamash (Camassia) that look particularly nice as accents in borders with ornamental grasses and foliage plants. Each and everyone is an ingredient to a grand gesture.

A minimum of plant varieties for a maximum effect!