By D.Lopez
Roses are red, violets are blue…but people want blue roses! In the industry of floriculture, the cut blue flower is a coveted product. So much so, that according to the Institute of of Vegetable and Floriculture Science, ornamental flowers such as roses and chrysanthemums have been the target of breeding blue varieties. The demand for blue flowers in plant varieties missing the blue gene is high, however this requires genetic engineering.
Blue flowers are used symbolically to express mystery or attaining the impossible. Literature suggests this, dating back to the 12th century Arab writings. The reference to “azure roses” was due the practice of exposing the bark of roots to blue dye. Even after many attempts at bioengineering, a rose that contains the blue delphinidin-based pigments does not exist naturally. At best, both an Australian and Japanese company created a lilac and mauve rose, in attempts to achieve the impossible blue rose. However, if you would like a blue chrysanthemum, they exist, thanks to the bioengineering of Japanese scientists. How this is done is quite an effort.
Bioengineering. This is what I asked about cultivars or a genetically modified organisms, what is the technical difference? Cultivars are created by seed control or grafting while genetic modification is a multistep process by specifically transferring “missing genes” to an organism. The blue pigment gene is oddly a challenge to both creating blue cultivars or blue genetically modified flowers. Therefore, all blue flowers are extra special. Of course, there are many natural varieties.
More importantly, natural blue flowers are said to have an interesting role with pollinators. According to Newfoundland and Labrador University Botanical Garden, different colors attract different pollinators. For example, bees are mostly attracted to blues and purples, but not so with reds. Science News states that blue flowers create a higher volume of nectar. Also, blue-violet flowers have nano particles on their petals, scattering UV light, creating a halo effect, and is very attractive to bees. The stronger the blue, the more attractive the flower. Even if it is simply a blue stripe on the petals.
Fortunately, there are numerous blue flowers that need no modification. The most charming wildflower I grew last summer was the California Bluebell, Phacelia campanularia. The California bluebell grows easily from seed with no special soil requirements. Then there is Baby Blue Eyes, Nemophila menziesii, a dainty annual blue flower that grows throughout wild places in California. Seeds are available by many heirloom seed companies. California Lilac, Ceanothus, is a hardy perennial and nitrogen-fixing shrub in the buckthorn family. The California Lilac is not a true lilac; I imagine it’s tiny fragrant flower clusters is attributed to this name, having much less a lilac color, but more of a blue-violet. In the fall I planted several varieties of lupine. Sky Lupine, Lupinus nanus, will offer you striking blue stalks in a small shrub, and are nitrogen fixers. Another suggestion is Whirly Blue Sage. Whirly Blue Sage is a hybrid of Salvia clevelandii and s.leucophylla, an aromatic grey-green shrub with strongly-colored tufts of flowers along its 1-2 foot blooming stalks.
Hopefully, you are not expecting blue roses for the next celebration or romantic gesture. As of yet, it is not attainable. However, if you want a colorful wildflower garden that also supports the bee population, now is the time to do a seed scattering. Give it a try in those difficult to grow places. As an example, California wildflowers are preparing to burst on the hillsides along the highways of your next road-trip. This inspiring springtime event gives us direction of how effortless seed distribution can be. If there is a more pressing landscape need, then consider the majestic native shrubs like lupines or sages. Our little winged friends will be keeping an eye out for these blue beauties this year. Enjoy a new season of gardening.
Photo: California Buebell