Purple Colored Shrubs – 12 Stunning Picks For Year-Round Garden

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Ever look out at your garden and feel like it’s just a sea of green? It’s beautiful, of course, but sometimes you crave a splash of something different, something that adds depth, drama, and a touch of the unexpected.

I hear you. For years, I focused only on flowers for color, but then I discovered a secret weapon that changed everything: purple colored shrubs. These incredible plants offer rich, regal color not just for a fleeting week of blooms, but often through their leaves for the entire season.

I promise, adding these gems to your landscape is easier than you think. They are the key to creating a garden that looks professionally designed and feels truly special.

In this complete guide, we’re going to walk through everything you need to know. We’ll explore my absolute favorite purple shrub varieties, learn exactly how to plant and care for them, and even tackle a few common problems. Let’s get ready to transform your garden!

The Royal Treatment: Why Your Garden Craves Purple

Before we dig in, let’s talk about why adding purple to your garden is such a game-changer. The benefits of purple colored shrubs go far beyond just a pretty color.

In garden design, purple is a powerhouse. It pairs beautifully with almost everything. Imagine a deep burgundy foliage next to a chartreuse-leafed plant—the contrast is simply electric! It can also create a cool, calming effect when planted alongside blues and pinks.

Purple adds a sense of depth and luxury to a garden bed. While bright reds and yellows shout for attention, purple draws you in with a sophisticated, mysterious allure. It makes small spaces feel larger and large spaces feel more intimate.

Plus, many purple-flowering shrubs are absolute magnets for pollinators. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are highly attracted to shades of purple, making your garden a lively, buzzing haven. This is one of the easiest ways to practice eco-friendly purple colored shrubs gardening—by supporting your local ecosystem!

Our Top 12 Purple Colored Shrubs for Every Garden

Ready for the fun part? Here is a curated list of my tried-and-true favorite purple shrubs. I’ve included options for different climates, sizes, and styles, so you’re sure to find your perfect match. Don’t worry—many of these are perfect for beginners!

1. Smokebush (Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’)

This is a true showstopper. Its deep, wine-purple leaves hold their color all season long, turning a brilliant scarlet in the fall. In summer, it produces large, airy flower plumes that look like puffs of pinkish-purple smoke, giving it its name.

  • USDA Zones: 4-8
  • Sun/Soil: Full sun for best color; well-drained soil.
  • Gardener’s Tip: You can prune it back hard in late winter to keep it as a smaller shrub with larger leaves, or let it grow into a magnificent small tree.

2. Weigela (Weigela florida ‘Wine & Roses’)

If you want both stunning flowers and foliage, Weigela is your answer. It boasts dark, burgundy-purple leaves that provide a dramatic backdrop for its trumpet-shaped, hot pink flowers in late spring. It’s a hummingbird favorite!

  • USDA Zones: 4-8
  • Sun/Soil: Full sun; adaptable to most soils.
  • Gardener’s Tip: It blooms on old wood, so be sure to prune it right after it finishes flowering to avoid cutting off next year’s blooms.

3. Black Lace® Elderberry (Sambucus nigra ‘Eva’)

For a touch of fine-textured elegance, look no further. Black Lace® has deeply dissected, almost black foliage that resembles a Japanese Maple. In early summer, it’s adorned with creamy pink flower clusters that smell incredible, followed by black berries.

  • USDA Zones: 4-7
  • Sun/Soil: Full sun to part shade; moist, well-drained soil.
  • Gardener’s Tip: The berries are edible if cooked (great for jams!), but uneaten berries are a feast for birds. A top choice for a sustainable purple colored shrubs garden.

4. Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense ‘Plum Delight’)

Also known as Chinese Fringe Flower, this evergreen (in warmer zones) shrub has rich purple foliage year-round. In spring, it’s covered in unique, spidery, hot-pink flowers. Its graceful, arching branches give it a beautiful form.

  • USDA Zones: 7-10
  • Sun/Soil: Full sun to part shade; acidic, well-drained soil.
  • Gardener’s Tip: It can get quite large, so give it room to spread or choose a dwarf variety if you have a smaller space.

5. ‘Concorde’ Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii ‘Concorde’)

For a compact, low-maintenance option, this barberry is fantastic. It forms a neat, dense mound of velvety, deep purple leaves. It’s exceptionally drought-tolerant once established and, thanks to its thorns, is highly deer-resistant.

  • USDA Zones: 4-8
  • Sun/Soil: Full sun for best color; very adaptable to different soils.
  • Gardener’s Tip: Check local regulations, as some barberry varieties can be invasive in certain regions. ‘Concorde’ is a slower-growing, less problematic choice.

6. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii ‘Black Knight’)

If you want to bring all the butterflies to your yard, this is the shrub for you. ‘Black Knight’ produces long, elegant spires of incredibly deep, dark purple flowers with a honey-like scent from summer to fall. It’s a fast grower and a reliable bloomer.

  • USDA Zones: 5-9
  • Sun/Soil: Full sun; well-drained soil.
  • Gardener’s Tip: Deadheading (removing spent flowers) is key. It encourages the plant to produce more blooms all season long.
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7. ‘Diablo’ Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diablo’)

A wonderfully tough and hardy native shrub. ‘Diablo’ has dramatic, dark purple-red foliage that provides a stunning contrast to its clusters of white-pink flowers in late spring. As a bonus, its bark exfoliates in winter, adding textural interest.

  • USDA Zones: 3-7
  • Sun/Soil: Full sun; highly adaptable and tough.
  • Gardener’s Tip: This is a large shrub! Ensure you have the space for it to reach its full potential, or look for smaller cultivars like ‘Summer Wine’.

8. English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’)

‘Hidcote’ is a classic for a reason. This compact shrub offers silvery-green foliage and an abundance of deep violet-purple flower spikes that are intensely fragrant. It’s perfect for borders, pathways, or herb gardens.

  • USDA Zones: 5-9
  • Sun/Soil: Full, blazing sun; sharply drained, even gritty soil.
  • Gardener’s Tip: The number one rule for lavender is do not overwater. It thrives on neglect and hates having “wet feet.”

9. Lilac (Syringa vulgaris ‘Charles Joly’)

No garden is complete without the intoxicating scent of lilacs in the spring. ‘Charles Joly’ is a beloved French hybrid with double florets of a deep magenta-purple. It’s a nostalgic, romantic, and utterly beautiful addition.

  • USDA Zones: 3-7
  • Sun/Soil: Full sun; well-drained, alkaline soil.
  • Gardener’s Tip: Good air circulation is important to prevent powdery mildew, a common lilac issue. Give them space to breathe!

10. Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

Here’s a fun science experiment! Bigleaf Hydrangeas are chameleons. In acidic soil (pH below 6.0), their flowers turn blue, but in alkaline soil (pH above 7.0), they turn pink. To get that coveted violet-purple, you need to aim for a soil pH right in the middle, around 6.5.

  • USDA Zones: 5-9
  • Sun/Soil: Morning sun and afternoon shade; moist, well-drained soil.
  • Gardener’s Tip: You can amend your soil with garden sulfur to lower the pH (for bluer tones) or garden lime to raise it (for pinker tones). It takes time, so be patient!

11. Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus ‘Purple Pillar’)

Need color in late summer when other plants are fading? Rose of Sharon is your star. ‘Purple Pillar’ has a unique, narrow, columnar shape, making it perfect for tight spaces. It produces beautiful semi-double purple flowers with a striking red center.

  • USDA Zones: 5-9
  • Sun/Soil: Full sun; adaptable to most soils.
  • Gardener’s Tip: This variety is sterile, meaning it won’t produce tons of unwanted seedlings like some older types of Rose of Sharon.

12. Hebe (Hebe ‘Purple Shamrock’)

A fantastic choice for small gardens, containers, or the front of the border. This compact evergreen shrub has striking variegated leaves—green centers with cream edges that are flushed with vibrant purple, especially in cooler weather. It also gets lovely violet flowers in the summer.

  • USDA Zones: 8-11
  • Sun/Soil: Full sun to part shade; very well-drained soil.
  • Gardener’s Tip: Hebes are sensitive to soggy soil, especially in winter. If you have heavy clay, consider planting them in a raised bed or container.

Your Ultimate Purple Colored Shrubs Guide: Planting for Success

You’ve picked your favorite! Now, let’s get it in the ground. Knowing how to purple colored shrubs should be planted is the first step toward a healthy, vibrant plant. Following these simple steps sets them up for a long and beautiful life.

Step 1: Choose the Right Spot

Read the plant tag! Most purple-leafed shrubs need full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight) to develop their deepest, richest color. In too much shade, many will revert to a dull green. Also, consider the mature size. Don’t plant a giant Ninebark right next to your foundation!

Step 2: Prepare the Soil

Think of this as building a strong foundation. Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the plant’s root ball but only as deep. You want the top of the root ball to be level with or slightly above the surrounding soil. Loosen the soil at the bottom and sides of the hole to help roots spread out.

Step 3: The Perfect Planting Technique

  1. Gently remove the shrub from its container. If the roots are tightly wound (a condition called ‘root bound’), use your fingers or a small knife to gently tease them apart.

  2. Place the shrub in the center of the hole. Make sure it’s standing straight.

  3. Backfill the hole with the native soil you removed. You can mix in a small amount of compost, but avoid heavy amendments that can cause drainage issues.

  4. Water deeply and thoroughly right after planting to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. A good, long soak is essential.

The Royal Maintenance: A Simple Purple Colored Shrubs Care Guide

Great news! Most of the shrubs on our list are wonderfully low-maintenance. This simple purple colored shrubs care guide covers the basics to keep them looking their best.

Watering Wisely

For the first year, water your new shrub regularly (about once a week, more in extreme heat) to help it establish a strong root system. After that, most are quite drought-tolerant. Always water deeply at the base of the plant, not on the leaves.

Feeding for Fabulous Foliage

Less is more. A single application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring is usually all they need. Over-fertilizing can lead to weak, leggy growth and fewer flowers.

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Pruning with Purpose

Pruning can feel intimidating, but it’s simple. The golden rule is to prune flowering shrubs after they bloom. For shrubs grown for their foliage, like Smokebush or Barberry, a trim in late winter or early spring is best to shape them up before new growth begins.

Mulching Magic

Applying a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch (like shredded bark or compost) around the base of your shrub is one of the best things you can do. It conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and enriches the soil as it breaks down. Just be sure to keep the mulch from touching the main stem of the plant.

Troubleshooting: Common Problems with Purple Colored Shrubs

Even the best gardeners run into issues. Here are a few common problems with purple colored shrubs and how to fix them with confidence.

Why Is My Purple Shrub Turning Green?

This is the most frequent question I get! The number one cause is insufficient sunlight. That ‘Royal Purple’ Smokebush or ‘Wine & Roses’ Weigela needs at least 6 hours of direct sun to produce the pigments that make its leaves purple. If it’s in too much shade, it will produce more green chlorophyll to compensate. The solution? Move it to a sunnier spot if you can!

Dealing with Pests & Diseases

Healthy plants are the best defense. Most issues, like powdery mildew on lilacs or aphids on new growth, can be managed by ensuring good air circulation, watering correctly, and avoiding stress. For persistent pests, a strong spray of water or an application of insecticidal soap is often all you need for an eco-friendly fix.

Leggy Growth and Poor Blooming

This is often a sign of too much nitrogen fertilizer or not enough sun. “Leggy” means long, floppy stems with sparse leaves. Cut back on the fertilizer and assess the sunlight situation. A good pruning can also help encourage bushier, healthier growth.

Gardening with a Conscience: Sustainable Purple Colored Shrubs Best Practices

Creating a beautiful garden can and should go hand-in-hand with protecting our environment. Following sustainable purple colored shrubs best practices is easy and rewarding.

Start by choosing plants that are well-suited to your climate and soil—this means less water, less fertilizer, and less fuss. Native options like Ninebark are fantastic choices. Incorporate water-wise techniques like mulching and deep, infrequent watering to conserve this precious resource.

Finally, embrace an organic approach. Nourish your soil with compost instead of synthetic fertilizers, and avoid chemical pesticides. A healthy garden full of purple shrubs will attract beneficial insects that act as a natural pest control squad!

Frequently Asked Questions About Purple Colored Shrubs

What is the best low-maintenance purple colored shrub for beginners?

For a beginner, I would highly recommend ‘Wine & Roses’ Weigela or ‘Concorde’ Barberry. Both are incredibly tough, adaptable to a wide range of conditions, and provide stunning purple color all season long with very little effort.

Can I grow purple shrubs in containers?

Absolutely! Many purple shrubs do wonderfully in pots. Look for compact or dwarf varieties. English Lavender, Hebe ‘Purple Shamrock’, and dwarf Barberry varieties are excellent container choices. Just ensure your pot has good drainage!

How do I make my Hydrangea’s flowers purple?

The magic is in the soil’s pH level. To get a true purple, you need a slightly acidic to neutral pH (around 6.0-6.5). You can buy a simple soil test kit at any garden center. If your soil is too acidic (making flowers blue), add a little garden lime. If it’s too alkaline (making flowers pink), add some garden sulfur or aluminum sulfate.

What shrubs have purple leaves all year round?

In warmer climates (Zone 7 and up), Loropetalum is a fantastic evergreen choice that holds its purple foliage all year. In colder zones, most deciduous shrubs will lose their leaves, but the color during the growing season is so spectacular that they are more than worth it.

Go Forth and Grow with Royal Color!

There you have it—everything you need to confidently choose, plant, and grow stunning purple shrubs. These plants are more than just a color; they are a statement. They bring elegance, contrast, and year-round beauty to any garden space.

Don’t be afraid to experiment. Start with one or two from the list and see how they instantly elevate your landscape. I promise that once you add a touch of purple, you’ll wonder how your garden ever lived without it.

Happy gardening!

Rimon Chowdhury
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