How to Identify a Blue Flower Ground Cover

A ground cover is a low-growing plant that typically does not reach above 23 inches high and spreads over the ground. Many covers contain blue flowers and are ideal as an ornamental because they connect other plants and guard against weeds. Identify a blue flower ground cover by noting its key traits and using online resources.

• 1

  Note the time of year that you see the blue flowers growing. For example, the common periwinkle produces blooms during the month of April, while the dwarf plumbago blossoms between August through September.

• 2

  Write down the foliage traits of the ground cover, including the color, texture and shape of the leaves. The creeping speedwell, for instance, displays smooth, bright yellow leaves with ridges on the side.

• 3

  Record the growth habit of the plant in question. As an example, the carpathian bellflower grows in a compact form, reaches 6 to 8 inches high and thrives in full sun or light shade conditions.

• 4

  Determine the ground cover's plant type to help classify it. For example, covers that are herbaceous do not have woody stems, while woody types have strong wooden limbs that endure tough weather. Further, evergreen types keep their leaves in all seasons.

• 5

  With your collected information in hand, try to identify the ground cover online. Access the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) database and input your findings to identify the blue flower ground covering (see Resources). Alternately, point your browser to the University of Illinois Extension's "Ground Covers to Know and Use" page to visually recognize your plant (see Resources).