33 BLUE Wildflowers Found in Wisconsin! (ID GUIDE)
Did you find a BLUE wildflower in Wisconsin?
If so, I’m sure you’re wondering what type of wildflower you found! Luckily, you can use this guide to help you identify it. 🙂
Today, we will look at 33 common BLUE wildflowers in Wisconsin.
#1. Heal-All
- Prunella vulgaris
Also known as Common Self-heal, Woundwort, Heart-of-the-earth, Carpenter’s Herb, Brownwort, or Blue Curls.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 6-12″ (15-30cm)
- Bloom Time: Late Spring-Late Fall
- Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade
This blue wildflower is one of the most common in Wisconsin.
You will find this purplish-blue wildflower on roadsides, gardens, and on the edge of woodlands.
You can even EAT Heal-all! Some people use it in salads, soups, stews, or boiled as a potherb. In addition, this mint plant has been used by many cultures to treat various physical ailments such as herpes, skin lesions, and throat remedies.
This plant attracts butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. As a result, it is often used as a ground cover on border fronts, meadows, and naturalized landscapes.
#2. Bachelor’s Button
- Centaurea cyanus
Also known as Cornflower.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 2-4
- Life Cycle: Annual
- Approximate mature size: 1-3′ (30-90cm)
- Bloom Time: Late Spring-Late Summer
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Light Shade
I think this is one of the prettiest blue wildflowers in Wisconsin.
This common plant is a magnet for butterflies. In addition, it’s excellent for cutting and drying.
The Bachelor’s Button flowers are daisy-like and virtually pest and disease-free. And can you believe they are also deer and drought tolerant?! I recommend this easy-to-grow plant for borders of flower beds or rock gardens.
#3. Chicory
- Cichorium intybus
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-10
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 1-4′ (30-120 cm)
- Bloom Time: Summer, Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
This non-native blue wildflower is found throughout Wisconsin. Typically you will find this plant where it’s sunny and dry, so look for it along roads and open fields.
The exciting thing about Chicory is it is eatable. The leaves are high in vitamins and minerals. You can eat the leaves as a vegetable or in a salad, but beware, they are very bitter tasting. The roots can also be boiled and eaten with butter. Sometimes the root is roasted and ground as a substitute or additive to coffee.
Interestingly, Chicory flowers only bloom for ONE day. And in hot weather, the flower may only be open for a few hours!
#4. Narrowleaf Blue-eyed Grass
- Sisyrinchium angustifolium
Also known as Bermuda Blue-eyed Grass and Blue-eyed Grass.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-11
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 4-20″ (10-50 cm)
- Bloom Time: Late Spring-Early Summer
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Sun
This blue wildflower is widespread and found throughout Wisconsin. You will typically see this plant in moist meadows, damp fields, open woods, floodplain forests, sandy thickets, riverbanks, and roadsides.
The Narrowleaf Blue-eyed Grass is an excellent source of nectar and pollen. This makes this plant good for attracting butterflies, bees, and other insects. It also can attract songbirds because many birds eat these perennial seeds.
#5. Blue Vervain
- Verbena hastata
Also known as the American Vervain or Swamp Verbena.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 2-5′ (60-150cm)
- Bloom Time: Early Summer-Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Look for this hardy and drought-resistant wildflower in plains, foothills, wet soils, ditches, shores, wet fields, and roadsides in Wisconsin.
The Blue Vervain attracts native bees, honeybees, beneficial wasps, small butterflies, skippers, and moths. It is also a great host plant because the Verbena Moth and the Common Buckeye Butterfly caterpillars feed on the leaves.
#6. Common Blue Violet
- Viola sororia
Also known as Common Meadow Violet, Purple Violet, Woolly Blue Violet, Hooded Violet, and Wood Violet.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-10
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 6-10″ (15-25cm)
- Bloom Time: Mid-Spring-Late Summer
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Sun
Some people consider this beautiful blue wildflower a weed in Wisconsin!
Believe it or not, the Common Blue Violet can randomly start growing in the middle of your lawn. If it appears, it can attract mason bees, caterpillars, wild turkeys, rabbits, deer, doves, and ants. The ants are attracted to their seeds that are coated with protein.
Interestingly, this wildflower can self-fertilize inside the plant without opening. The seed capsules eventually turn upright, open, and SHOOT OUT their seeds as far as 9 feet away from the plant.
#7. Common Periwinkle
- Vinca minor
Also known as Lesser Periwinkle or Dwarf Periwinkle.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 4-6″ (10-15cm)
- Bloom Time: Year-Round
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
The Common Periwinkle is not native to North America. Regardless, this perennial can attract bumblebees, Anthophorid Bees, Mason Bees, and bee flies.
- RELATED: 22 PROVEN Flowers That Attract BEES!
This blue wildflower is often used as a ground cover in Wisconsin. The main benefit is it’s deer resistant!
#8. Blue Toadflax
- Nuttallanthus canadensis
Also known as Canada Toadflax and Old-field Toadflax.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8
- Life Cycle: Annual or Biennial
- Approximate mature size: 6-24″ (15-60 cm)
- Bloom Time: Early Spring, Early Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Shade
This blue wildflower prefers dry sandy soil in open areas such as grasslands, prairies, and roadsides in Wisconsin.
Certain caterpillar species will eat this host plant’s leaves. In addition, bees and butterflies are attracted to the nectar of the Blue Toadflax.
#9. Teasel
- Dipsacus fullonum
Also known as Wild Teasel and Fuller’s Teasel.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8
- Life Cycle: Biennial
- Approximate mature size: 4-6′ (120-180 cm)
- Bloom Time: Summer, Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Wisconsin’s teasels are easily identified by their prickly stem and leaves and unique purplish-blue flowers.
This plant attracts some birds, such as the Goldfinches, because the seeds are an important winter food resource.
Teasel has health benefits such as a kidney tonic, which promotes the healing of broken bones and torn, injured, or inflamed connective tissue. This makes it helpful in treating Lyme disease symptoms since the Lyme-inducing bacteria often target the nerve, muscle & connective tissues.
#10. Jacob’s Ladder
- Polemonium reptans
Also known as Spreading Jacob’s Ladder, Creeping Jacob’s Ladder, False Jacob’s Ladder, Abscess Root, American Greek Valerian, Blue Bells, Stairway to Heaven, and Sweatroot.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 1-3′ (30-90cm)
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Sun Exposure: Partial Sun, Full Sun in cooler climates
This blue wildflower is found in moist woodlands and floodplains in Wisconsin.
The nectar and pollen of Jacob’s Ladder attract honeybees, bumblebees, mason bees, cuckoo bees, butterflies, skippers, and moths.
#11. Forget-me-not
- Myosotis scorpioides
Also known as Water Forget-me-not, True Forget-me-not, Love-me, Mouse-ear, Mouse-ear Scorpion Grass, Scorpion Weed, and Snake Grass.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 6-12″ (15-30 cm)
- Bloom Time: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Sun
The Forget-me-not is also known as the Scorpion Weed. This is because it has a coiled flower stalk like a tail of a scorpion. Some have also said the common name Forget-me-not comes from this plant’s unpleasant taste or odor, which is hard to forget.
Forget-me-nots seeds spread rapidly, and you may find them sprouting up in places you didn’t plan for. Don’t worry; you can dig up the flower and replant it anywhere you want it to be, and they are not bothered by being moved. I suggest not destroying the plant because this perennial attracts butterflies, bees, and moths.
#12. Pickerelweed
- Pontederia cordata
Also known as Heart-Leaved Pickerel Weed, Wampee, and Pickerel Rush.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-10
- Life Cycle: Perennial, Aquatic plant
- Approximate mature size: 2-4′ (60-120cm)
- Bloom Time: Early Summer-Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
This blue wildflower is aquatic and grows in various wetlands, including Wisconsin’s ponds, streams, and lakes.
Pickerelweed will attract butterflies and bumblebees, which visit its blooms for nectar. Many ducks eat their seeds as well!
#13. Creeping Bellflower
- Campanula rapunculoides
Also known as Rampion Bellflower.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-7
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 12-31″ (30-80cm)
- Bloom Time: Summer to Early Fall
- Sun Exposure: Partial Shade
You will find this perennial in a variety of habitats, such as fields, dry hills, meadows, deciduous and pine forests, roadsides, and along railroads.
Creeping Bellflower is native to Europe and western Siberia, brought to Wisconsin. Unfortunately, it has become an extremely invasive weed and chokes out other plants.
Trying to eliminate it is nearly impossible because of its ability to multiply on its own. Each plant can produce 15,000 seeds and reproduce through its long tuberous root system. 🙁
#14. Asiatic Dayflower
- Commelina communis
Also known as Dayflower.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-9
- Life Cycle: Annual
- Approximate mature size: 1-3′ (30-90 cm)
- Bloom Time: Summer through Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Shade
This blue wildflower is usually found only in metro areas in Wisconsin. However, it often ends up in your garden from purchased bags of soil.
This plant’s flowers bloom only for one day, hence its name “Dayflower.” The Asiatic Dayflower is a host plant for the Pearl Cresent butterfly caterpillars.
#15. Bird’s Foot Violet
- Viola pedata
Also known as Mountain Pansy.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 4-10″ (10-25 cm)
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Sun Exposure: Fun Sun, Partial Sun
The Bird’s Foot Violet gets its name from the shape of its flowers. As the name suggests, some people think they resemble a bird’s foot.
You will typically find this blue wildflower on dry rocky or sandy soil, open fields, and open woods in Wisconsin.
The Bird’s Foot Violet attracts bees and butterflies, which pollinate them. This blue wildflower would be a lovely addition to your rock garden.
#16. Blue Moon (Wild Blue Phlox)
- Phlox divaricata
Also known as Woodland Phlox, Sweet William’ Blue Moon’.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 10-20″ (25-50 cm)
- Bloom Time: Spring, Summer
- Sun Exposure: Partial Sun
This fragrant blue wildflower has beautiful rich white or blue flowers, and its stems are often hairy and sticky to the touch.
The Blue Moon would be an excellent accent to your flower beds and borders. They attract butterflies and hummingbirds and are deer resistant.
- RELATED: 28 Common Flowers That Attract HUMMINGBIRDS (Add to your yard TODAY!)
#17. Blue Flag Iris
- Iris versicolor
Also known as Harlequin Blue Flag, Larger Blue Flag, Northern Blue Flag, and Poison Flag.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-7
- Life Cycle: Perennial, Aquatic Plant
- Approximate mature size: 2-3′ (60-90 cm)
- Bloom Time: Late Spring, Early Summer
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Sun
You will see this blue wildflower in Wisconsin along wetlands, sedge meadows, stream banks, and rivers.
Please take note! The Blue Flag Iris leaves, and roots are poisonous and cause stomach and intestinal inflammation. If you, your livestock, or a pet consumes this plant, please seek medical attention.
#18. Western Blue Flax
- Linum lewisii
Also known as Prairie Flax, Wild Flax, Lewis Flax, Lewis’s Flax, and Wild Blue Flax.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 1-3′ (30-90 cm)
- Bloom Time: Spring, Summer
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Sun
The Western Blue Flax blooms for weeks from late spring to mid-summer, but you will notice the flowers open in the morning but are gone in the afternoon. This is because the blooms only last for one day!
This blue perennial has long and tough stem fibers, and the American Indians used them for ropes, cords, fishing lines, and nets.
#19. Round-lobed Hepatica
- Anemone Americana
Also known as Roundleaf Liverleaf, Anemone Americana, American Liverwort, Liverleaf, and Anemone Hepatica.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 4-6″ (10-15 cm)
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Sun Exposure: Partial Sun
This blue wildflower is found in Wisconsin’s dry shade of deciduous woods.
Look at each basal leaf with three round lobes rising from its thin hairy stalk to help identify it.
The Round-lobed Hepatica is rich in nectar and is an important food source for many pollinators. As the pollinated flowers lengthen and droop toward the ground, ants collect and disperse the seeds.
#20. Blue Mistflower
- Conoclinium coelestinum
Also known as Wild Ageratum, Hardy Ageratum, Blue Boneset, and Eupatorium coelestinum.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-10
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 12-36″ (30-91 cm)
- Bloom Time: Year-round
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Sun
The Blue Mistflower blooms will attract an enormous amount of bees and butterflies. However, be careful because this blue wildflower spreads rapidly and can become a nuisance.
Look for this blue wildflower in Wisconsin’s moist soils, wet meadows, ditches, pond margins, and woodland edges.
#21. Spiderwort
- Tradescantia virginiana
Also known as the Virginia Spiderwort and Blue Jacket.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 10-24″ (25-61 cm)
- Bloom Time: Spring, Summer
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Sun
In Wisconsin, you will see Spiderwort on dry to medium but well-drained soils in fields, meadows, and woodland margins.
This perennial is great for a border for flower beds and is often an underutilized garden plant.
#22. Azure Bluet
- Houstonia caerulea
Also known as Quaker Ladies and Bluets.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 2-4″ (5-10 cm)
- Bloom Time: Spring, Summer
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Sun
This delicate blue wildflower is commonly found in Wisconsin on moist sandy banks, rocky streamsides, open woods, forest edges, meadows, and lawns.
This easy-to-grow perennial is an excellent addition to your garden, and it will attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
#23. Virginia Waterleaf
- Hydrophyllum virginianum
Also known as Eastern Waterleaf.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 1-2′ (30-60 cm)
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Sun Exposure: Shade, Partial Shade
The Virginia Waterleaf forms large groups in moist deciduous forests and spreads by reproducing along with underground roots (rhizomes).
This perennial attracts sweat bees and flies. But, unfortunately, their foliage is nibbled on by deer.
#24. Virginia Bluebells
- Mertensia virginica
Also known as Bluebells, Virginian Bluebells, Blue and Pink Ladies, Blue Iris, Chiming Bells, Kentucky Bluebells, Roanoke Bells, Smooth Lungwort, Tree Lungwort, Virginian Cowslip, Virginian Spiderwort, and Mertensia pulmonarioides.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 10-24″ (25-60 cm)
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Sun Exposure: Partial Sun, Shade
Virginia Bluebells are one of the earliest blooming wildflowers in Wisconsin.
This BEAUTIFUL perennial is typically found in wet shade and on the edges of deciduous woods. This unique wildflower starts with pink buds; then blooms into the prettiest sky-blue flowers.
Virginia Bluebells attract hummingbirds and butterflies. I think they are stunning when massed together and are one of my most favorite flowers to find.
#25. Bottle Gentian
- Gentiana andrewsii
Also known as Closed Bottle Gentian and Closed Gentian.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-7
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 1-2′ (30-60 cm)
- Bloom Time: Summer, Fall
- Sun Exposure: Partial Sun
Look for this blue wildflower in prairies, along railroads, and in old fields in Wisconsin.
You can grow the Bottle Gentian in your garden, but please do not dig it up from the wild.
This beautiful plant is known for its bottle-shaped flowers and always remains closed. One may wonder how they get pollinated? Bumblebees can force their way inside! Check out the video!
#26. Azure Blue Sage
- Salvia azurea
Also known as Pitcher Sage, Big Blue Sage, Giant Blue Sage, and Blue Sage.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 2-4′ (60-120 cm)
- Bloom Time: Summer, Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Azure Blue Sage is a late-blooming blue wildflower in Wisconsin.
Look for them in dry, primarily pine-dominated woodlands.
This attractive sage is perfect for flower beds because it mingles well with nearby plants. In addition, its nectar attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. The best part is hungry deer don’t eat it.
#27. Wild Lupine
- Lupinus perennis
Also known as Wild Perennial Lupine, Wild Lupine, Sundial Lupine, Blue Lupine, Indian Beet, and Old Maid’s Bonnets.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 12-24″ (30-60 cm)
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Sun
Wild Lupine prefers dry sandy soils in open woods and sandhills. Its seedpods open with such force that the seeds are ejected several feet away from the plant.
This blue wildflower is full of nectar and attracts many different birds, butterflies, hummingbirds, and small mammals.
Wild Lupine is toxic to humans and animals if ingested in large quantities, so please be aware if you plant it in your yard.
#28. Large-leaved Aster
- Eurybia macrophylla
Also known as Bigleaf Aster, Large-leaved Wood Aster, Aster roscidus, and Aster violaris.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 1-5′ (30-150 cm)
- Bloom Time: Summer, Fall
- Sun Exposure: Partial Sun, Shade
This blue wildflower is found in Wisconsin’s dry shade of deciduous forests.
You will notice their large, heart-shaped basal leaves, which are soft to the touch; their stalks are sticky.
This blue wildflower blooms for weeks, and the flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies.
#29. Long-spurred Violet
- Viola rostrata
Also known as Longspur Violet and Long-spurred Violet.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 4-8″ (10-20 cm)
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Sun Exposure: Partial Sun, Shade
Unlike other species of violet in Wisconsin, this one doesn’t creep across the ground.
Look for this low-growing perennial in moist woodlands, meadows, and moist soils.
The Long-spurred Violet is often regarded as the first sign of spring. You may want to use this wildflower as a charming addition to your rock garden.
#30. Prairie Spiderwort
- Tradescantia occidentalis
Also known as Western Spiderwort and Spiderwort.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 10-24″ (25-60 cm)
- Bloom Time: Spring, Summer
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
This grass-like plant with exotic-looking blue flowers is found in Wisconsin’s plains, foothills, sandy ridges, meadows, fields, and roads.
The Prairie Spiderwort blooms continuously with eye-catching blue flowers. Unfortunately, most flowers are gone by noon. Nevertheless, many native bees value this wildflower.
#31. Virginia Iris
- Iris virginica
Also known as Southern Blue Flag and Great Blue Flag.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
- Life Cycle: Perennial, Aquatic Plant
- Approximate mature size: 12-36″ (30-90 cm)
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Sun
The Virginia Iris is found in various habitats such as open woods, meadows, freshwater marshes, and along lakes. This perennial performs best in full sun and wet soils.
This blue wildflower is a welcome addition to your lily pool or bog garden. It is pest and disease-free, and deer-resistant. However, please be aware that some people develop a rash after touching it.
#32. Blue-eyed Mary
- Collinsia verna
Also known as Spring Blue-Eyed Mary.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 2-11
- Life Cycle: Annual
- Approximate mature size: 6-18″ (15-45 cm)
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Sun Exposure: Partial Sun
The Blue-eyed Mary’s nectar attracts many honeybees, bumblebees, butterflies, and skippers.
This blue wildflower is found in moist soils along streams and wet woodlands. It spreads by reseeding itself and often forms colonies that vary in size.
#33. Pasque flower
- Pulsatilla patens
Also known as Prairie Pasqueflower, Eastern Pasque Flower, Eastern Meadow Anemone, Eastern Prairie Smoke, American Pasqueflower, Prairie Crocus, and Windflower.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: All Life Zones
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 4-10″ (10-25 cm)
- Bloom Time: Early Spring
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Please advise all parts of the Pasque Flower contain poisonous compounds, which can cause blisters in your nose and mouth. This is one wildflower you don’t want to sniff!
This blue-flowered perennial is found in dry soil such as prairies. It also has seed-like fruit with feathery, plume-like hairs that carry seeds away on the wind.
Do you need more help identifying blue wildflowers in Wisconsin?
Check out this guide!
Which of these blue wildflowers have you seen before in Wisconsin?
Leave a comment below!
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