Blue cushions are considered valuable early bloomers that are attractive to bees. They impress many gardeners with their ground-covering growth, their delicate flowers and their undemanding nature. Now all that’s left to do is plant successfully
When and how should blue cushions be planted?
Blue cushions should be planted in spring from March or in autumn from October, ideally in a sunny or partially shaded location. The soil should be well-drained, neutral in pH, nutrient-rich and slightly calcareous, and the planting distance should be about 20 cm.
When is it time to plant the blue cushion?
In spring from March or in autumn from October is a good time to plant the blue cushion. If you have the opportunity, plant it in the fall so that it is firmly rooted and can bloom profusely next spring.
Would you prefer a sunny or shady location?
The blue cushion originally comes from the Mediterranean region. It's used to lots of sunny days there. As a result, it expects a lot of sun from its local location. It can also grow in partial shade. It should only not be planted in the shade. There it ages quickly and its flowers appear in sparse numbers.
Where does the blue cushion come into its own?
You can plant the blue cushion in rock gardens like many other gardeners. It feels at home there and its low and dense growth creates beautiful accents around the stones. This perennial is also suitable for:
- Flower borders
- Perennial beds (in the foreground)
- Bed borders
- Paving joints
- Drystone walls
- Roadsides
- Slopes and embankments
- Balcony boxes
What properties should the substrate have?
Choose a well-drained substrate for the blue cushion! This perennial does not tolerate stagnant moisture. Therefore, proper drainage is the top priority. The soil should also have a pH value in the neutral range and a high nutrient content. Last but not least, this plant benefits from a little lime.
Keep the substrate dry to moderately moist! Tap water can be safely used for watering due to its compatibility with lime. You can add some compost (€12.00 on Amazon) to the soil before planting the blue cushion.
Which plant neighbors are suitable?
Blue cushions can be wonderfully combined with other cushion-forming perennials. They also look attractive next to taller perennials. The following planting partners are suitable, among others:
- yellow flowering alyssum
- Goose cress
- Red soapwort
- Ribbon flower
- Gentian
- hornwort
- Pillow Carnation
- Upholstered phlox
- Lungwort
- bleeding heart
- Bergenia
What planting distance is recommended?
The blue pillow doesn't take up much space. Therefore, a distance of around 45 cm from other plants is sufficient. If you want to plant several blue cushions next to each other in groups, you can plant between 8 and 10 of them in the soil per square meter. The distance between the individual blue cushions should not be less than 20 cm.
Blue cushions suppress weeds thanks to their carpet-like and ground-covering growth. If you plant them close enough, little care will be required later in terms of removing weeds.
Tip
When the blue cushion blooms in April, it is also the perfect time to propagate it by sowing. Sowing is easy and promising.
