What Flowers Are Purple – Your Ultimate Guide To 15 Stunning Varieties

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Have you ever stood in your garden, looked at a patch of green, and thought, “It’s missing something… a touch of magic”? You’re not alone. Many gardeners feel their outdoor space needs a pop of color that feels both vibrant and serene, a hue that adds depth and sophistication.

I promise that by the end of this guide, you’ll not only know what flowers are purple, but you’ll also have the confidence to choose, plant, and care for the perfect varieties to create the garden of your dreams. We’re going to explore a hand-picked list of stunning purple flowers, from easy-to-grow favorites for beginners to breathtaking showstoppers.

So, grab your gardening gloves and a cup of tea. We’ll dive into a complete what flowers are purple guide, covering planting tips, design ideas, and even how to cultivate your purple paradise in a sustainable, eco-friendly way. Let’s get started!

Why Choose Purple? The Surprising Benefits of Purple Flowers

Adding purple to your garden is more than just a color choice; it’s an experience. For centuries, purple has been associated with royalty, creativity, and tranquility. Planting it is a way to infuse your garden with a sense of calm elegance.

But the benefits of what flowers are purple go beyond aesthetics. Many pollinators, especially bees, are highly attracted to shades of purple and violet. By planting these flowers, you’re not just beautifying your space—you’re creating a vital food source for your local ecosystem.

Purple is also an incredibly versatile team player in garden design. It can stand alone in a striking monochromatic display or act as a beautiful bridge between hot colors like reds and oranges and cool colors like blues and greens. It simply makes every other color look better.

Our Top Picks: A Gardener’s Guide to What Flowers Are Purple

Ready to find your perfect purple match? I’ve organized my favorites into categories to make it easy to find exactly what you need, whether you’re looking for lasting perennials, quick-blooming annuals, or structural shrubs. This is your ultimate what flowers are purple guide to get you growing.

Easy-Growing Perennials for Lasting Color

These are the reliable workhorses of the garden. Plant them once, and they’ll reward you with beautiful purple blooms year after year.

  • Lavender (Lavandula): No list of purple flowers is complete without lavender. Its silvery foliage and fragrant purple spikes are iconic. Pro Tip: Lavender demands excellent drainage. If you have heavy clay soil, plant it in a raised bed or container with sandy soil.
  • Salvia (Salvia nemorosa): If you want a long-blooming, drought-tolerant powerhouse, ‘May Night’ or ‘Caradonna’ Salvia is your answer. Their deep violet-blue spires bloom for months, and deadheading encourages even more flowers.
  • Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): A classic prairie native, the purple coneflower is a magnet for butterflies and bees. It’s tough, loves the sun, and stands tall through summer’s heat. Don’t worry—these are perfect for beginners!
  • Alliums (Ornamental Onions): For a touch of whimsy, nothing beats the giant globe-shaped blooms of Alliums like ‘Globemaster’ or ‘Purple Sensation’. They are deer-resistant and look incredible popping up between other perennials.
  • Catmint (Nepeta): Don’t let the name fool you; this is a gorgeous, low-maintenance plant. Its haze of soft, lavender-blue flowers creates a beautiful, soft edge for garden beds. It’s incredibly tough and thrives on neglect.

Show-Stopping Annuals for Instant Impact

Need a splash of purple right now? Annuals complete their life cycle in one year, giving you an explosion of color all season long.

  • Petunias: A container garden superstar! Petunias come in every shade of purple imaginable, from deep, velvety black-purples to vibrant magentas. They are perfect for hanging baskets and window boxes where they can spill over the edges.
  • Verbena: Whether you choose an upright or a trailing variety, Verbena offers clusters of delicate purple flowers that bloom nonstop until the first frost. It’s a fantastic filler for sunny spots.
  • Ageratum (Floss Flower): Known for its unique, fluffy-looking flowers, Ageratum provides a soft texture to garden beds and containers. It’s a wonderful choice for the front of a border.
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Breathtaking Bulbs and Stunning Shrubs

For structure, height, and seasonal drama, you can’t go wrong with these foundational plants.

  • Iris: The intricate, velvety falls of a Bearded Iris in deep purple are simply breathtaking. For a more delicate look, Siberian Irises offer graceful blooms on slender stems.
  • Crocus: One of the very first signs of spring! Planting a drift of purple crocuses in your lawn or under a tree creates a magical sight as they emerge from the late-winter ground.
  • Lilac (Syringa): The intoxicating fragrance of a lilac bush in full bloom is a cherished garden moment. These large shrubs provide a stunning, if brief, display of purple flowers in late spring.
  • Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii): True to its name, this shrub will be covered in butterflies all summer. Its long, arching panicles of purple flowers are a sight to behold. Note: In some regions, it can be invasive, so check local guidelines or choose a sterile cultivar.
  • Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla): The big, beautiful blooms of a hydrangea are a garden favorite. For a true purple, you’ll need to manage your soil’s pH—more on that later!
  • Wisteria: For pure, romantic drama, a Wisteria vine dripping with long chains of lavender-purple flowers is unmatched. It requires a very strong support structure, like a sturdy pergola or arbor.

How to Plant and Care for Your Purple Beauties: A Care Guide

Knowing how to what flowers are purple is about understanding their basic needs. While each plant is unique, following these best practices from our what flowers are purple care guide will set you up for success.

Getting the Soil Right

Most flowering plants, especially perennials like Lavender and Coneflower, thrive in well-draining soil. If your soil is heavy clay, amend it with compost to improve its structure. This is the single most important step you can take for healthy roots.

For plants like Hydrangeas, soil pH is key. To get purple blooms, you need a slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH of 6.0-7.0). If your soil is too alkaline, your flowers will be pink; too acidic, and they’ll turn blue.

Sun Exposure: A Gardener’s #1 Rule

Always read the plant tag! Most of the purple flowers we’ve discussed, like Salvia, Petunias, and Butterfly Bush, need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to produce abundant blooms. Placing a sun-loving plant in the shade is a recipe for disappointment.

Watering Wisely

A common mistake is watering too little, too often. It’s much better to water deeply and less frequently. This encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, making them more resilient to drought. Let the top inch or two of soil dry out before watering again.

Feeding Your Flowers

A simple rule of thumb is to feed your plants with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer in the spring as new growth begins. For annuals in containers, a liquid feed every few weeks during the growing season will keep them blooming strong.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Purple Gardening Practices

Creating a beautiful garden can and should go hand-in-hand with caring for our planet. Embracing sustainable what flowers are purple practices is easier than you think and makes your garden a healthier place for everyone.

One of the best eco-friendly what flowers are purple strategies is to choose native plants. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea) and certain species of Salvia are native to many parts of North America. They are adapted to the local climate, require less water, and provide essential food for native pollinators.

Here are a few other ideas:

  • Mulch, Mulch, Mulch: Applying a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch (like shredded bark or compost) conserves soil moisture, reduces the need for watering, and suppresses weeds naturally.
  • Welcome Beneficial Insects: Many purple flowers attract ladybugs and lacewings, which are natural predators of pests like aphids. Avoid broad-spectrum pesticides that harm these garden helpers.
  • Make Your Own Compost: Turn your kitchen scraps and yard waste into “black gold” for your garden. Compost enriches the soil, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, and lessens landfill waste.
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Troubleshooting: Common Problems with Purple Flowers

Even experienced gardeners face challenges! Here’s a quick guide to some common problems with what flowers are purple and how to solve them.

Why Are My Purple Flowers Fading?

If your vibrant purple blooms look washed out, the culprit is often too much intense, direct sun, especially in hot climates. It can also be a sign of a nutrient deficiency. A dose of balanced fertilizer might be all they need to regain their rich color.

What’s This White Stuff on My Lilac Leaves?

That is likely powdery mildew, a common fungal issue. The best defense is good air circulation. Don’t overcrowd your plants. If you see it, you can treat it with a fungicide or a simple homemade spray of one tablespoon of baking soda in a gallon of water with a few drops of dish soap.

My Plants Are All Leaves and No Flowers!

This is a classic sign of too much nitrogen. Nitrogen promotes leafy growth at the expense of flowers. This often happens if you use lawn fertilizer on your flower beds. Switch to a fertilizer with a higher middle number (Phosphorus), which encourages blooms.

Frequently Asked Questions About Purple Flowers

What are the easiest purple flowers for beginners?

For beginners, I always recommend Catmint (Nepeta), Salvia (Salvia nemorosa), and Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). They are all incredibly forgiving, drought-tolerant once established, and provide a long season of beautiful color with minimal fuss.

What purple flowers bloom all summer?

For continuous color, annuals like Petunias and Verbena are fantastic choices. Among perennials, ‘Caradonna’ Salvia and Catmint are bloom machines that will flower for months, especially if you shear them back after their first major flush of blooms.

Are there any purple flowers that grow in the shade?

Yes! While many purple flowers love sun, you do have options for shadier spots. Look for Astilbe, with its feathery purple plumes, or certain varieties of Hosta that produce lovely lavender flower spikes. Lungwort (Pulmonaria) also has charming purple-blue flowers in early spring and tolerates shade well.

How do I keep my purple hydrangeas from turning pink?

The color of Bigleaf Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) is determined by soil pH. To maintain or achieve purple/blue flowers, you need acidic soil. You can amend your soil with a soil acidifier or aluminum sulfate, which are available at garden centers. Follow the package directions carefully.

Your Purple Paradise Awaits

We’ve journeyed through a whole world of purple, from the soft lavender of Catmint to the deep, royal hues of an Iris. You now have a complete what flowers are purple care guide full of ideas, tips, and the confidence to get started.

Remember, gardening is a journey, not a destination. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Start with one or two new plants that caught your eye from this list. Watch how they grow, see how the color interacts with the rest of your garden, and enjoy the process.

The magic of purple is waiting to transform your garden. Go forth and grow beautifully!

Rimon Chowdhury
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