Bursts of blue are welcome, whatever the season

Classic Blue has been named the color of the year for 2020 by the Pantone Color Institute. Described as a shade reminiscent of the sky at dusk, Pantone believes this color offers reassurance, confidence and connection to people in an unsettled world.

Blue is a calming color in the garden, too. It is at the center of the cool side of the color wheel and holds a pivotal role in moderating other color tones. Most color combinations are best if the colors are of similar intensity, but blue is an exception to the rule.

Pastel pink may clash when paired with red and orange, but pale blue flowers in a grouping of red and orange create a beautiful composition. And, a border filled with pastel-colored flowers is enhanced with the introduction of deep blue blooms when bright orange flowers in their place would be jarring.

There are plants to keep your garden blooming blue all season long. Beginning with grape hyacinths in spring and ending with monkshood in fall, blue flowers capture our hearts.

Blue in spring

While true blue flowers are hard to find, some of the best bloom in spring. Squill, false forget-me-nots, grape hyacinths and Virginia bluebells bloom in early spring. Ammonia, some types of columbines and Jacob's ladder keep blue in the garden well into May.

Fill the garden in late spring with the blue flowers of Baptisia. This statuesque prairie plant shows off indigo blue flower spikes. And there are varieties of perennial geraniums that bloom in shades from sky blue to violet blue.

The iris family offers several types with blue blooms. Siberian and Japanese irises add blue to the border from May to July. Bearded irises bloom as spring turns to summer.

Summer blues

The first perennial that comes to mind when considering blue, summer-blooming plants is the delphinium. Grand and stately, they can be found in blues from the color of the sky to navy. Shorter varieties are available, but the tall cultivars are my favorite, even if they do require staking to keep them standing in windy conditions. Encourage delphiniums to bloom again in August after their initial blooms in June by deadheading them after their first flowers are spent.

Allium caeruleum boasts beautiful bright blue globe-shaped flowers in June. And the family of bellflowers have many blue-flowering members, one of which is sure to be ideal in your garden. Some spill over rock walls or garden edges; others grow more upright — perfect partners for other perennials.

Catmints bloom for a long time in summer and are available in a range of sizes from 8 to 10 inches to up to 3 feet tall. There are many cultivars of both Salvia and Veronica that sport spikes of blue flowers.

Blue autumn hues

Perennials with blue flowers are especially beautiful when they are blooming among the fall colors of gold, red and orange.

Monkshood is fall's version of a delphinium. Its strong stems do not need staking. But be careful when planting monkshood if there are toddlers in the household. All parts of the plant are poisonous.

Asters are at their peak in September, and one of the best blues of fall is plumbago. This ground cover boasts small, brilliant blue flowers above shiny bronze foliage.

Blue is the ultimate botanical peacemaker, and the garden is the best place to find reassurance and connection in an unsettled world.

• Diana Stoll is a horticulturist, garden writer and speaker. She blogs at gardenwithdiana.com.