Purple Shade Plants That Flower – 10 Stunning Choices To Brighten Dark

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Do you have a corner of your garden that never seems to get enough sun? That shady spot under a big oak tree or along the north side of your house that feels a little… neglected? You’re not alone. Many gardeners agree that finding vibrant, colorful plants for those low-light areas can be a real challenge.

But I’m here to promise you that your shady spots don’t have to be drab. In fact, they can become the most magical, enchanting parts of your garden. The secret is choosing the right plants, and there’s no color more captivating for a cool, shady nook than purple.

In this complete guide, we’ll unlock the beauty of these shade-loving gems. We’ll explore the top 10 stunning purple shade plants that flower, dive deep into a comprehensive care guide, troubleshoot common problems, and even discuss sustainable practices. Get ready to transform that forgotten corner into a showcase of color and life!

Why Choose Purple Flowers for Your Shade Garden?

Before we dive into our list of plants, let’s talk about why purple is such a fantastic choice for the shade. It’s not just about personal preference; there’s some real garden design magic at play here. Understanding the benefits of purple shade plants that flower will help you design with confidence.

Purple has a unique quality in low light. Unlike bright yellows or reds that can sometimes look jarring in the shade, shades of lavender, violet, and deep plum add a sense of depth, tranquility, and mystery. They have a cooling effect that makes a space feel like a peaceful retreat on a hot day.

Here are a few more reasons to go purple:

  • They Attract Pollinators: Many bees and butterflies are highly attracted to purple and blue hues, meaning your shady corner can become a buzzing hub of activity.
  • They Pair Beautifully: Purple flowers create a stunning contrast with the many shades of green foliage common in shade gardens. They pop against chartreuse-leaved Hostas and deep green ferns.
  • Year-Round Interest: Many of these plants offer more than just flowers. Some have gorgeous purple-tinged or silver-veined foliage that provides color long after the blooms have faded.

Our Top 10 Purple Shade Plants That Flower

Ready to get planting? Here is a curated list of my absolute favorite purple bloomers that thrive in less-than-sunny conditions. This purple shade plants that flower guide includes options for various zones and soil types. Don’t worry—many of these are perfect for beginners!

1. Astilbe (Astilbe chinensis ‘Visions’)

Often called False Spirea, Astilbe sends up feathery, plume-like flowers that seem to float above fern-like foliage. The ‘Visions’ variety offers stunning raspberry-purple plumes that are a magnet for pollinators.

  • Light: Part shade to full shade.
  • Soil: Consistently moist, rich, well-draining soil.
  • Hardiness Zones: 4-8
  • Greeny Gardener Pro Tip: Astilbe hates to dry out. A 2-inch layer of mulch is your best friend here, as it helps retain that crucial soil moisture.

2. Hosta (Hosta ‘Purple Sensation’)

While known for their foliage, many Hostas produce lovely flowers. ‘Purple Sensation’ is prized for its deep lavender, bell-shaped flowers that rise on tall scapes above the leaves. They add a delicate, vertical element to the shade garden.

  • Light: Part shade to full shade.
  • Soil: Well-drained, rich in organic matter.
  • Hardiness Zones: 3-9
  • Greeny Gardener Pro Tip: To make the purple flowers really stand out, pair this Hosta with a chartreuse-leaved variety like ‘Sum and Substance’.

3. Lungwort (Pulmonaria)

What a charming plant! Lungwort gets its name from its mottled, lung-shaped leaves, but its true beauty lies in its early spring flowers. Many varieties, like ‘Raspberry Splash’, have flowers that open pink and mature to a brilliant violet-blue, often with both colors on the plant at once.

  • Light: Full to part shade.
  • Soil: Moist, humus-rich soil.
  • Hardiness Zones: 3-8
  • Greeny Gardener Pro Tip: Lungwort is one of the first plants to bloom in spring. Plant it where you can see it from a window to chase away the winter blues!

4. Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis)

Hellebores are the undisputed queens of the late winter and early spring shade garden. Their nodding, cup-shaped flowers come in an incredible array of colors, including deep, dusky purples and speckled violets. They are incredibly tough and long-lived.

  • Light: Part shade to full shade.
  • Soil: Rich, well-draining, and neutral to alkaline.
  • Hardiness Zones: 4-9
  • Greeny Gardener Pro Tip: The flowers are long-lasting, but the real bonus is the evergreen foliage that looks great all year. Don’t bury the crown when planting; keep it at or just above the soil line.

5. Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium reptans ‘Stairway to Heaven’)

This plant is a triple threat: beautiful variegated foliage, delicate light-blue to lavender flowers, and a preference for shade. The leaves are green edged in white and often tinged with pink in cooler weather, providing multi-season interest.

  • Light: Part shade.
  • Soil: Moist, rich, well-drained soil.
  • Hardiness Zones: 3-7
  • Greeny Gardener Pro Tip: Jacob’s Ladder can self-seed in ideal conditions. If you don’t want it to spread, simply deadhead the flowers after they fade.

6. Coral Bells (Heuchera ‘Forever Purple’)

While many Coral Bells are grown for their foliage, ‘Forever Purple’ boasts stunning, glossy, deep purple leaves all year round. In summer, it sends up airy wands of tiny pinkish-purple flowers that hummingbirds adore.

  • Light: Part shade (can tolerate more sun in cooler climates).
  • Soil: Well-drained is a must. They hate wet feet.
  • Hardiness Zones: 4-9
  • Greeny Gardener Pro Tip: Heuchera can heave out of the ground in winter. Check them in early spring and gently press them back into the soil if needed, adding a little mulch around the base.

7. Spiderwort (Tradescantia ‘Concord Grape’)

For a long-blooming option, look no further than Spiderwort. ‘Concord Grape’ features beautiful three-petaled, bluish-purple flowers that open in the morning and close in the afternoon. It will bloom for weeks and weeks from late spring to mid-summer.

  • Light: Full sun to part shade (flowers last longer in part shade).
  • Soil: Adaptable to most soils but prefers it moist.
  • Hardiness Zones: 4-9
  • Greeny Gardener Pro Tip: If the foliage starts to look messy mid-summer, give the whole plant a haircut! Cut it back by about half, and it will reward you with fresh new growth and often a second, smaller flush of blooms.

8. Columbine (Aquilegia)

The intricate, spurred flowers of Columbine look like delicate origami birds. They come in many colors, with several native and cultivated varieties offering beautiful shades of purple and violet. They are a favorite of hummingbirds.

  • Light: Part shade.

    • *Soil:* Well-drained soil. They are quite drought-tolerant once established.

  • Hardiness Zones: 3-8
  • Greeny Gardener Pro Tip: Columbine is a short-lived perennial, but it self-seeds readily (but not aggressively), ensuring you’ll have new plants for years to come.

9. Toad Lily (Tricyrtis hirta)

If you want a truly unique, exotic-looking flower for the fall, the Toad Lily is your plant. Its small, orchid-like flowers are typically white or pale lilac with heavy purple spotting. They are a delightful surprise at the end of the gardening season.

  • Light: Part to full shade.
  • Soil: Consistently moist, humus-rich soil.
  • Hardiness Zones: 4-9
  • Greeny Gardener Pro Tip: Plant Toad Lilies along a path or at the front of a border where you can appreciate their intricate, detailed flowers up close.

10. Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera ‘Sherwood Purple’)

Perfect as a groundcover, Creeping Phlox forms a low mat of foliage that becomes covered in a carpet of fragrant, lavender-purple flowers in mid-spring. It’s excellent for suppressing weeds and adding a splash of color under taller shrubs.

  • Light: Part shade.
  • Soil: Moist, well-drained, acidic soil.
  • Hardiness Zones: 5-9
  • Greeny Gardener Pro Tip: After flowering, shear the plant back lightly to encourage dense foliage growth and keep it looking tidy.

The Ultimate Purple Shade Plants That Flower Care Guide

Knowing how to purple shade plants that flower successfully is about understanding their environment. Shady gardens have different rules than sunny ones. Following these purple shade plants that flower best practices will ensure your garden thrives.

Getting the Soil Just Right

Most shade-loving plants evolved in woodland settings where fallen leaves create a rich, loamy, slightly acidic soil. You can mimic this by amending your soil with plenty of organic matter. Compost, shredded leaves, or well-rotted manure are all fantastic choices. This improves drainage in heavy clay soil and helps retain moisture in sandy soil—a win-win!

Watering Wisely: The Shade Garden Secret

While shade keeps soil cooler, it doesn’t always mean it stays moist, especially under large trees with thirsty roots. The key is deep, infrequent watering. Water in the morning at the base of the plants to allow leaves to dry during the day, which helps prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew.

To Feed or Not to Feed?

If you’ve amended your soil with rich compost, you may not need to fertilize much. A top-dressing of compost each spring is often enough. If your plants seem to be struggling, a balanced, slow-release organic fertilizer applied in early spring is a good choice.

Common Problems with Purple Shade Plants That Flower (And How to Fix Them!)

Even the best gardeners run into issues. Here’s a look at some common problems with purple shade plants that flower and simple, effective solutions.

Problem 1: Leggy Growth and Few Flowers

This is almost always a sign of too much shade. While these plants love shade, most still need some dappled sunlight or bright, indirect light to produce abundant flowers. If a plant is stretching towards the light and looks sparse, try moving it to a spot that gets a little morning sun.

Problem 2: Powdery Mildew Woes

This dusty white coating on leaves is common in shady gardens with poor air circulation. To prevent it, give your plants enough space when planting. You can also thin out dense clumps of plants like Phlox or Spiderwort to improve airflow. If it appears, remove the most affected leaves and ensure you’re watering at the soil level, not overhead.

Problem 3: Pesky Pests (Slugs and Snails)

Slugs and snails love the cool, damp conditions of a shade garden and are particularly fond of Hostas. You can hand-pick them off in the evening, set beer traps, or use eco-friendly slug baits containing iron phosphate. Surrounding vulnerable plants with crushed eggshells or diatomaceous earth can also create a barrier they dislike crossing.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Gardening Practices

Creating a beautiful garden can and should go hand-in-hand with supporting your local ecosystem. Adopting sustainable purple shade plants that flower practices is easier than you think and incredibly rewarding.

One of the best eco-friendly purple shade plants that flower tips is to choose native varieties when possible. Plants like native Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) or woodland phlox are adapted to your local climate and provide essential food and habitat for local pollinators and wildlife.

Consider creating a water-wise shade garden by grouping plants with similar moisture needs together and using mulch to conserve water. A healthy, balanced garden with a diversity of plants is also more resilient to pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical interventions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Purple Shade Plants

Can these plants grow in deep, dark shade?

Some plants are tougher than others. Hellebores, Hostas, and some ferns can tolerate quite deep shade, but their flowering may be reduced. Most of the plants on our list perform best in part shade or dappled shade, meaning they get a few hours of gentle morning sun or filtered light through a tree canopy all day.

How long will it take for these perennials to get established?

There’s a saying among gardeners: “The first year they sleep, the second they creep, and the third they leap!” Most perennials will spend their first year establishing a strong root system. You’ll see more significant growth and flowering in the second and third years. Be patient—it’s worth the wait!

Are any of these purple shade plants deer-resistant?

Yes! Deer tend to avoid plants with fuzzy or fragrant leaves. From our list, Lungwort (Pulmonaria), Astilbe, Lenten Rose (Hellebore), and Coral Bells (Heuchera) are generally considered deer-resistant. However, a very hungry deer will eat almost anything, so no plant is 100% deer-proof.

Your Shady Garden Awaits!

That shady spot in your yard is not a problem; it’s an opportunity. It’s a blank canvas waiting for you to paint with the cool, calming, and captivating hues of purple.

By choosing the right plants, preparing your soil, and understanding the unique needs of a low-light environment, you can create a lush, thriving oasis. From the early blooms of the Lenten Rose to the feathery plumes of the Astilbe, there is a world of beauty waiting to be discovered.

So go ahead, embrace the shade. Your garden—and your local pollinators—will thank you for it. Happy planting!

Rimon Chowdhury
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