Mention blue and I start drifting off course into the lavender/purple shades. Actually there's more of those than "true blues" But yes the "Blue" ginger Dichorisandra thyrsiflora will do fine for you its a tropical. Vine-wise, Petrea ("Sandpaper Vine/ Queen's wreath") should do OK its a good substitute for wisteria in the tropics if anyone in your area is growing it should be out now. There are a few "blue" ornamental passiflora. Clitorea ternatea esp. the double is cobalt blue. What about the Blue Jade vine that's definitely a tropical if you have room - Strongylodon. In shrubs, Brunsfelsia should be OK (also again not really blue though is it?) and Iochroma (again its more purple STOP IT ALISON :-) Sorry.
Petunias love the heat they face humidity on GC OK so should be all right in airlie, lobelia too for annuals and they self-seed, torenias too. Bulbs you could try some of the neomarica - walking iris there's a white with blue spots and Moraea and tubulgia and babiana may grow for you there. For the ultimate slightly -not-blue- but -close, try a Jacaranda.

thank you Alison,
I shall certainly try out some of your suggestions, I'm delighted that you think the blue ginger will grow here, I'll try and source some.
Though I must say, gardening enjoyment is somewhat blighted at present by all the snakes that are appearing,probably looking for water, had a biggie yesterday, though he did redeem his presence slightly, as he was in the process of eating another snake. I MUST buy those gum boots!
Thanks again,
Airlie

Airlie, in addition to Alison's suggestions (and I agree wit her about the blue-ness of so-called blue plants) would annual Salvias grow in your area? There is a blue & white and a darker blue in these. Or Ageratum (more mauve-y)?

If you can't source the blue ginger LMK I can probably send you a few cuttings it roots in water pretty easily

I have Russian sage - not sure of it's real name. Small herby shrub with tiny grey leaves and REAL dark blue flowers. Irises, if they grow in your area, are available in true blues - dark, pale and everything in between.

Agapanthus are also available in dark blues (Wavy Navy, etc.).

There is also a climber that looks for all the world like an ornamental grape (but isn't related at all). Has green leaves heavily speckled with white, pink stems and develops fantastic blue berries. Altogether a very pretty plant and much better behaved than the ornamental grape. Pity I can't remember it's name!

How about blue pentas, and plumbago, both the ordinary one and the more recent, deeper shade (Royal Cape??)? Oh, and the blue/mauve form of cat's whiskers. I love the opulent blue of Dianella berries, can't say how long they remain on the plant. Evolvulus pilosus. Some Barlerias. Cheers, Rose.

lots of ideas now, Roses' plumbago suggestion, ageratum, sage, wonder if I can sow?plant now, thanks

Airlie, I guess you are keen to get on with it despite the heat and dry. Do you want to start with a few small well hardened plants and see how you get on?

Wombat: have you remembered the name of that climber yet?? love to know...
Rose

I really strained the brain cells and, in the end, had to resort to Encyclopaedia Botanica - thank goodness it starts with "A".

It's Ampelopsis brevideduncelata (you get your money's worth in the name alone). According to Botanica, common names are Turquoise Berry Vine and Porcelain Vine.

The species has a plain green leaf and is obviously a bit a pest. The varigated varieties are less vigorous. 'Elegans' is especially pretty with pink splashes on the leaves.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.hootowlhollow.com/photos/perennials/porcelain_berry.html

Thanks wombat, I'll give that web site a go
Airlie

How about the peacock fern. It's botanical name is selaginella uncinata, this one is a very compact plant grows like a cushion it is a medium green plant but when you grow it in the shade it looks like it has been spray painted with iridecent blue paint also the climbing variety is selaginella wildenovii. They are both available from Limberlost nursery in Cairns. They are truly beautiful plants, I have both of them and growing them on my back deck. Even though the common name is "fern" they are actually club mosses, they come in golden colours even a beautiful Mahogany one, I have a number of the different colours. You shouldn't have any trouble finding sites to have a look at these.

I just adore blue too - but what is called blue is usually purple.
Don't know if you can grow it but there's a vine called Monet's Blue which is a clerodendron I think. And there is a shrub with little blue butterfly type flowers ... can't remember the name ... think it might be a clerodenron too(all my plant tags are downstairs and it's dark and there might be toads) ...
Common (here) groundcover shrub called blue eyes.
Heliotrope?

Another blue lover - hence my name. Monet's Blue is a variety of the Solanum Jasminoides (??). I think that's its name - the same as the Potato creeper or vine, that is generally white. Very pretty light to medium mottled blue flowers - hence Monet's blue.

Other suggestions are (but I don't know how they will go in tropical climate):
Solanum Rantonetii (s. Azureum)- Paraguay Nightshade. A fast growing shrub with long pointed leaves and showy violet blue flowers with yellow centres in profusion over a long period. Likes sun or part shade, grows to 2m. Mine don't like the frost, but are growing new leaves in the spring.
Dampiera Diversifolia - a low growing Australian native groundcover which thrives in most well drained soils. Plants withstand some dryness, but prefer to be kept moist. Partly shaded position is preferred, but will tolerate full sun.
Coryopteris "Heavenly Blue" - small to medium perennial shrub. Masses of true blue flowers in mid summer to autumn. Grow in full sun.

Other suggestions - duranta, felicia amelloides (blue daisy), pansies, violas, petunias, lobellia, Brunfelsia (Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow), blue hydrangea, agapanthus, salvia, veronica.

I will try anything that is even vaguely blue, and the mauves and blues mixed together give an overall blue tone. I just look for anything with blue flowers on the label when I visit the nursery!!

Ann

Yes, Bluebelle, I was wrong. The Monet's Blue is a Solanum - saw one today and realized my mistake.
I go straight for the blues every time (oh,and yellow too!) ...

A few more welcomed suggestions!
I have salvia looking a bit sad now, beautiful in spring, and those little ground covers wth blue flowers, I love the sound of the peacock fern, and shall endeavor to source some, that's if they will like it here, thanks everone

Just read this thread in the search for info on cat's whiskers. So here's my suggestion: The salvia senoloensis
has beautiful little blue flowers. and it's easy to prop.
And you also might try a "bat face" cuphea. Real cute dark navy tubular flower with a cute red "bat face". Good luck