Blue Daze Growth and Care Guide
Blue Daze (Evolvulus glomeratus) is a heat-loving, sun-soaking groundcover prized for its nonstop sky-blue blooms and soft, silvery foliage. Its low, spreading habit makes it ideal for brightening borders, softening edges, and spilling beautifully over containers or hanging baskets. This Plant Guide covers everything you need to grow Blue Daze successfully. We cover sunlight, watering, soil, pruning, and troubleshooting along with the best varieties and how to use it in the garden.
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By: Reggie Meehan (12/23/2025) - Last Updated (2/20/2026)
Introduction to Blue Daze
Blue Daze, scientifically known as Evolvulus glomeratus and sometimes called Dwarf Morning Glory, is a plant that has won me over the more I have grown it. It belongs to the Convolvulaceae family, so it is related to traditional Morning Glories, but instead of climbing and taking over, it forms a tidy, spreading mound that behaves beautifully in the garden. The silvery green foliage alone is attractive, but when those true blue flowers open up each morning, it completely transforms the space. In warm climates, it provides an incredibly long season of color and texture that feels both relaxed and refined.
Blue Daze absolutely thrives in full sun and does not flinch when the heat of Summer settles in. It tolerates drought, handles poor soil better than most flowering plants, and continues blooming steadily from Spring through Fall. The small, star shaped flowers open fresh each day, creating a consistent, cheerful display that never feels tired. It works just as well spilling over the edge of a container as it does weaving through the front of a sunny border.
Like I mentioned, I've been planting Blue Daze in my own garden beds for many years here in South Carolina. During the thick humidity of Summer, when other plants start to slow down, it just kept pushing color like it has something to prove. There is something about that cool blue tone against the silver foliage that feels clean and calming in the landscape, especially during the hottest part of the year. If you want dependable color with almost no fuss, this is one I will always recommend.
Characteristics of Blue Daze
Blue Daze is beloved for its vibrant, sky blue flowers and easy, no drama nature in the garden. Unlike traditional Morning Glories that climb and twist through anything they can grab, Evolvulus glomeratus stays low and spreads outward, forming a soft mat of silvery green foliage dotted with bright blue blooms. It flowers steadily from Spring through Fall, giving you that rare combination of delicate color and serious staying power. When it is happy, it does not just bloom in cycles, it keeps producing new flowers day after day, especially in full sun.
Size and Growth Habit
Blue Daze typically grows 6 to 12 inches tall, but it can easily spread 2 to 3 feet wide over the course of the season. That spreading, trailing habit is what makes it so versatile. I love using it at the front of beds where it can gently spill forward, or in containers where it softens the edges and creates a cascading effect that feels natural instead of stiff. Despite its spreading nature, it stays refined and never feels aggressive.
Its compact profile allows it to blend beautifully into mixed borders, adding a cool pop of blue without overpowering neighboring plants. The foliage is dense enough to shade the soil, which helps suppress weeds and keeps beds looking cleaner. In my experience, when you give it good drainage and plenty of sun, it fills in evenly and creates that finished, polished look gardeners are always chasing. It is one of those plants that works hard behind the scenes while looking effortlessly beautiful.
Leaves and Flowers
The foliage of Evolvulus glomeratus is one of the most underrated parts of the plant. The leaves are small, oval, and covered in a fine silvery fuzz that gives them a soft, velvety feel when you brush your hand across them. That fuzzy coating is not just for looks. It helps reflect sunlight, which allows the plant to handle intense heat and drought far better than most blue flowering plants. The silvery green tone also creates a subtle shimmer in the garden, especially in the bright light of Summer, and it sets up the perfect contrast for the blue blooms. As an added bonus, that slight fuzz provides a bit of natural resistance to pests, which is one more reason this plant stays so easy to grow.
And then there are the flowers. The color is a true, clear sky blue, which is rare in the plant world and incredibly valuable in design. Each bloom has five delicate petals arranged in a simple star shape, giving it a clean, almost classic look that never feels busy. Individual flowers last just one day, opening in the morning sun and gently closing by evening, but the plant produces so many new buds that you never notice the turnover. From Spring through Fall, it feels like there is always a fresh layer of blooms coming on. That steady rotation of color keeps the plant looking lively and bright all season long, especially when everything else starts to slow down in the heat.
Is Blue Daze Annual or Perennial?
Blue Daze is typically treated as an annual, bringing a season of beauty to gardens before succumbing to frost. It can behave as a tender perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 9–11; warm, frost-free climates such as Florida, Southern Texas, and Coastal California. In these regions, it provides consistent, vibrant color to landscapes without requiring replanting, making it a reliable choice for sunny gardens.
Best Varieties of Blue Daze
While all Blue Daze share the same heat tolerance and long bloom season, certain varieties stand out for improved flowering, growth habit, and overall garden performance. At Garden Delivery, we carry three top-tier selections that excel in both containers and landscape use.
Blue My Mind®
If there is a gold standard in Blue Daze, this is it. Blue My Mind® features exceptionally rich, true-blue flowers and strong, uniform growth. The blue is deeper and more saturated than the older strains, and it holds that richness even in the blazing heat of Summer. The habit is low, dense, and incredibly well branched, so it fills in evenly without getting thin or leggy by midseason. In our gardens, this is the one that gives you that tight, polished look with almost no effort. It works beautifully as a groundcover, and in containers it spills just enough without looking wild.
Hawaiian Blue Eyes
A more vigorous and floriferous selection, known for its abundant blooms and slightly larger flowers. Hawaiian Blue Eyes has a slightly more relaxed, vigorous personality. The blooms are abundant and just a touch larger, with bright blue petals and a crisp white center that really pops against the silvery foliage. It tends to spread a bit more freely, which makes it excellent for mass plantings where you want quicker coverage and a softer, flowing effect. I like using this one in larger beds where it has room to stretch and mingle.
Beach Bum Blue®
Beach Bum Blue was bred for gardeners who want strong color and tight structure all season long. It branches beautifully, staying compact and uniform even when temperatures climb. That means no thinning out, no awkward gaps, just a consistently full plant from late Spring through Fall. The flowers are a rich, true blue that holds steady in full sun, even during prolonged stretches of hot weather. I have found this one to be especially dependable in containers and edging where symmetry matters. If you are planting for a clean, professional look with minimal maintenance, Beach Bum Blue® is hard to beat.
How to Grow and Care for Blue Daze
Blue Daze thrives in warm, sunny conditions and actually seems to enjoy the heat that wears other plants down. When you give it proper drainage and full sun, it will reward you with steady blooms and silvery foliage from Spring through Fall. In our South Carolina Summers, it has proven itself again and again as a dependable performer. It is not fussy, but like any plant, it does best when you understand what it truly needs.
Planting Blue Daze
Plant Blue Daze in Spring after the danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures begin to warm. I like to space plants about 12 to 18 inches apart because they will spread and knit together over time. Choose a location with excellent drainage and full sun, as those two factors matter more than anything else. If you are planting in containers, use a lightweight, well draining potting mix and make absolutely sure the pot has drainage holes. Blue Daze does not tolerate sitting in soggy soil.
Sunlight Requirements
Full sun is not optional with Blue Daze. It needs at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce its signature blue blooms consistently. I have seen it tolerate light afternoon shade, especially in extreme heat, but bloom production will decrease if it does not receive enough light. The more sun you give it, the tighter and fuller the habit will be. In bright, open locations, the foliage stays compact and the flowers open strong each morning. If you want nonstop color, prioritize sunlight above all else.
Soil Requirements
Blue Daze prefers sandy or well draining soil, which makes it perfect for coastal gardens or raised beds. It can tolerate lean soil surprisingly well, but improving the soil with organic matter will always enhance growth and vigor. The key is drainage. Heavy clay that holds water will cause problems unless amended thoroughly. A slightly acidic to neutral pH between 6.0 and 7.5 is ideal, but I have found it to be fairly adaptable as long as roots are not suffocating in wet conditions.
Watering Needs
During the first few weeks after planting, water regularly to help roots establish. Once established, Blue Daze becomes impressively drought tolerant. In my own beds, I only water during prolonged dry stretches in Summer. Overwatering is far more dangerous than underwatering with this plant. Its roots do not appreciate constant moisture, and soggy soil can quickly lead to decline. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings and you will have a much healthier plant.
Fertilizer Needs
Blue Daze is not a heavy feeder, but it does appreciate a balanced start. I recommend incorporating a slow release fertilizer at planting time to support steady growth. During the growing season, a light feeding every 6 to 8 weeks with a bloom focused fertilizer can enhance flower production. Avoid over fertilizing, as excessive nitrogen will push leafy growth at the expense of blooms. When fed moderately, it maintains a balanced habit and steady color.
Pruning and Maintenance
One of the reasons I love this plant is how little maintenance it requires. It is self cleaning, meaning you do not need to deadhead spent blooms. If stems begin to stretch in late Summer, a light trim will quickly encourage fresh, bushier growth. Pinching young plants early in the season can also promote a fuller habit. Even without pruning, it generally keeps a tidy, mounded form.
Overwintering
In frost free climates, Blue Daze can behave as a perennial. In colder regions, treat it as an annual or bring potted plants indoors before the first freeze. Place containers in a bright, sunny window and reduce watering through Winter. Another reliable method is taking cuttings in late Summer to root for the following Spring. I have done this several times, and it is an easy way to carry strong genetics forward.
Common Pests
Blue Daze is relatively pest resistant, which is part of its charm. Occasionally you may see aphids, spider mites, or whiteflies, especially during hot, dry stretches. These issues are usually minor and easily controlled with insecticidal soap and neem oil. In healthy, well spaced plantings, serious infestations are rare. Good air circulation helps prevent most problems before they start.
Common Diseases
Root rot is the primary disease concern, and it almost always traces back to poor drainage or overwatering. Leaf spot can occasionally appear in overly humid, crowded conditions, but it is not common when plants have proper spacing. Keeping foliage dry and avoiding waterlogged soil eliminates most disease risk. In my experience, when planted correctly, Blue Daze stays remarkably clean.
Common Mistakes
The biggest mistake gardeners make is overwatering. Blue Daze prefers slightly dry conditions once established and will decline in soggy soil. Planting it in heavy clay without improving drainage is another common issue. Insufficient sunlight is also a frequent problem and will lead to fewer blooms and looser growth. Give it sun, drainage, and moderation, and it will reward you.
Common Misconceptions
Many people assume Blue Daze needs daily watering, but once established it is very drought tolerant. Others believe it climbs like traditional Morning Glories, yet it remains a low, spreading plant that never twines. I have also heard that it only grows in sandy soil, which is not true as long as drainage is adequate. When grown properly, it is one of the most forgiving blue flowering plants you can add to a sunny garden.
Using Blue Daze in the Garden
Blue Daze has a way of quietly elevating a space without demanding attention every single day. The cool blue blooms against that silvery foliage bring a calming tone to hot, sunny areas where color can sometimes feel harsh. It handles poor soil, intense heat, and drought without losing its rhythm, which makes it incredibly valuable in Southern gardens. Whether you use it as a ground cover, tuck it into borders, or let it spill from containers, it gives you dependable color with very little intervention.
Ground Cover
As a ground cover, Blue Daze really shines. Its trailing stems spread steadily, forming a dense, low mat that looks soft and intentional rather than wild. When planted in drifts, the blue blooms rise just above the foliage, creating a carpet effect that feels almost like a wash of color across the soil. I have used it in open, sunny beds where other plants struggled, and it filled in beautifully without constant watering or pampering.
Beyond the beauty, it is practical. The thick foliage helps shade the soil, which reduces weed pressure and keeps the bed looking cleaner with less maintenance. It works especially well along pathways, in rock gardens, and on slopes where you need something to soften edges and stabilize soil. In those dry, sun drenched areas that can be tough to design around, Blue Daze brings both structure and serenity. If you want a plant that covers ground efficiently while still looking polished, this is one I reach for again and again.
Containers and Hanging Baskets
Blue Daze absolutely comes alive in containers and hanging baskets. When those trailing stems begin to spill over the rim, covered in bright blue blooms, it creates that soft, flowing look people are always trying to achieve. The silvery green foliage acts almost like a neutral backdrop, allowing the blue flowers to glow, especially in the bright light of Summer. In a pot, it stays surprisingly refined and never looks messy or overgrown.
I love pairing Evolvulus glomeratus with warm colors for contrast. It looks incredible next to bright Lantanas, white Petunias, or even deeper pinks and corals. The cool blue balances out hotter tones beautifully, making combinations feel intentional rather than chaotic. It also works well as a spiller alongside upright focal plants, adding movement and softness around the edges.
Coastal Gardens
Blue Daze feels right at home in coastal landscapes. It thrives in sandy soil, handles reflective heat, and tolerates salt spray far better than many flowering plants. In beachfront or seaside properties where conditions can be harsh and drying winds are common, Evolvulus glomeratus keeps growing and blooming without complaint. That reliability makes it an easy choice for gardeners who want vibrant color without constant maintenance.
The cool blue flowers also feel naturally suited to coastal design. They echo the tones of sky and water, blending seamlessly into seaside settings while still standing out against sand and stone. I have seen it used successfully in low borders along walkways, in raised beds near patios, and even spilling over retaining walls facing the ocean.
Brilliant Blue Daze, Low Maintenance
Looking to grow Blue Daze in your garden? At Garden Delivery, we offer premium selections of Evolvulus glomeratus chosen specifically for strong color, tight structure, and reliable performance in real world landscapes. Gardeners love it for those vivid, sky blue blooms, its easy spreading habit, and its ability to handle intense heat and dry stretches without losing momentum. In hot, humid Southern climates especially, it continues blooming right through the toughest part of Summer when many other plants start to fade. Add Blue Daze to your landscape today and enjoy a season full of true-blue beauty and carefree charm.