41 Purple Perennial Flowers With Names and Pictures
Enjoy season-long bursts of color and welcome butterflies to your garden beds.
Purple is a color that rivals any other for drama, elegance, and versatility in the garden. From the softest lavenders to deep royal plums, purple perennial flowers capture the imagination, blend beautifully with a range of other garden hues, and often hold powerful symbolism. In this comprehensive guide, weâll explore 41 of the most striking purple perennials you can grow and enjoy for years to come, complete with descriptions, general care tips, and garden inspiration.
Why Choose Purple Perennial Flowers?
Perennials are plants that return year after year, often with minimal maintenance. When you choose purple varieties, you not only enrich your gardenâs aesthetic appeal but enjoy these benefits:
- Enduring Color: Perennials return every growing season, providing reliable blooms year after year.
- Versatile Hue: Purple flowers can convey tranquility (soft shades), vibrancy (bright tones), and luxury (deep tones).
- Sensory Delight: Many purple perennials have beautiful fragrances and unique textures.
- Biodiversity: Most attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, enriching the local ecosystem.
- Garden Design Variety: With a range of sizes, bloom times, and growth habits, purple perennials suit every spotâsunny, shady, dry, or moist.
Design Tips: Using Purple Flowers Effectively
Garden design is elevated with the thoughtful placement of purple. Here are some practical suggestions:
- Balance Colors: Purple pairs elegantly with whites, yellows, silvers, and soft pinks. It can also create eye-catching contrast against oranges and other bright colors.
- Mood Management: Light purple brings a sense of calm, while bold magenta infuses excitement. Use shades intentionally based on the mood you want to set.
- Layer and Texture: Combine tall spiky flowers (like salvia or liatris) with mounding varieties (like asters or geraniums) for dynamic beds.
- Seasonal Interest: Select a mix of early, mid, and late-blooming perennials for lasting color throughout the growing season.
Our Favorite Purple Perennial Flowers
Below is a curated list of 41 stunning purple perennial flowers. Each entry includes common names, a brief description, growing tips, and visual characteristics to help you choose the perfect plants for your landscape.
1. Allium (Ornamental Onion)
Large, globe-shaped blooms in striking lavender and purple sit atop tall stems. Alliums bloom in late spring to early summer and are drought tolerant. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Their spherical flower heads are a dramatic addition to borders or cutting gardens.
2. Aster
Asters provide a burst of daisy-like purple blooms in late summer through fall. They thrive in full sun to partial shade and attract butterflies, making them ideal for cottage gardens and pollinator beds.
3. Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus)
Named for its balloon-shaped buds that pop open into starry violet flowers. These are reliable, long-blooming, and thrive in sun to part shade. Neat mounds of foliage add structure to borders.
4. Bee Balm (Monarda)
Produces unique, tubular purple blooms loved by pollinators. Prefers full sun and moist, well-draining soil. Great for wildflower gardens and for attracting hummingbirds.
5. Bellflower (Campanula)
Clusters of bell-shaped blue-purple flowers bloom prolifically from late spring into summer. Versatile, thriving in sun or partial shade, and useful in borders or as groundcover.
6. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
Long plumes of small purple flowers attract butterflies and bees all summer. Prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Excellent in wildlife gardens and as a focal point in mixed borders.
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7. Catmint (Nepeta)
Aromatic, gray-green foliage and clouds of soft purple-blue flowers. Drought tolerant and long-blooming, catmint is favored for edging paths and borders.
8. Clematis
A climber with large, dramatic purple blooms in many varieties. Needs roots in shade and tops in sun, with well-drained, moist soil for best results. Perfect for arbors, trellises, or cascading down fences.
9. Coneflower (Echinacea)
Classic daisy-like flowers, often in purple or lavender, with a prominent central cone. Drought tolerant and low maintenance. Coneflowers are hardy, attract pollinators, and provide winter interest with their seed heads.
10. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
Early spring groundcover with dense mats of purple or pink-purple star-shaped flowers. Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Excellent for rock gardens and slopes.
11. Crocus
Among the earliest bloomers, crocuses display cheerful lavender, purple, or white cup-shaped flowers as winter fades. Excellent for lawns, rock gardens, and borders.
12. Delphinium
Towering spires of vivid purple-blue flowers. Requires well-drained soil, regular water, and staking in windy spots. A dramatic vertical accent in perennial borders.
13. Dwarf Iris (Iris reticulata)
Petite, early-spring irises offer intense purple blooms. Plant in sun to partial shade; ideal for containers, rock gardens, or front-of-border plantings.
14. Heliotrope
Clusters of tiny, fragrant violet-purple flowers bloom from late spring to frost. Enjoys full sun and moist, fertile soil. Often grown for their heady, vanilla scent.
15. Hellebore (Lenten Rose)
Blooming in late winter and early spring, hellebores provide dusky purple flowers and evergreen foliage. Prefers shade and moist, well-draining soil. Valuable for winter color and woodland gardens.
16. Hyacinth
Spring bulbs known for dense, fragrant spikes of deep purple to lavender blooms. Favor sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Best in cottage gardens or as patio container accents.
17. Lavender (Lavandula)
Highly aromatic, lavender spikes offer striking blue-lavender flowers through summer. Prefers full sun and dry, well-drained soil. Ideal for borders, herb gardens, and sensory gardens.
18. Liatris (Blazing Star)
Unique upright spikes of feathery purple blooms. Drought tolerant, sun-loving, and great for cutting gardens. Attracts pollinators and helps add vertical interest.
19. Lilac (Syringa)
Beloved for their long-lasting, highly fragrant clusters in mid- to late spring. Varieties offer a range of purple shades and grow well as shrubs or small trees.
20. Lungwort (Pulmonaria)
Spotted foliage with clusters of purple and pink flowers in early spring. Grows well in shady, moist sitesâexcellent for woodland gardens.
21. Lupine
Tall spikes in shades from pastel lavender to rich violet. Enjoys sun to partial shade and surprisingly poor, well-drained soils. Adds height and drama to mixed beds.
22. Monarda (Bee Balm)
Fragrant foliage and whorls of purple tubular flowers. Loves full sun and moist soils. Magnet for pollinators and a must-have for naturalized gardens.
23. Pasque Flower (Pulsatilla)
Early spring-blooming perennial with fuzzy buds followed by bell-shaped, violet-purple flowers. Prefers sun and well-draining soil, attractive in rockeries.
24. Penstemon
Slender spikes of purple tubular flowers in summer. Adaptable to various soils, but prefers sun and good drainage. Excellent in informal or prairie-style gardens.
25. Perennial Geranium (Cranesbill)
Mounding plants with five-petaled purple, blue, or lavender flowers from late spring into fall. Tolerates sun or shade and offers long-lasting color.
26. Phlox (Garden Phlox)
Upright clusters of fragrant, vibrant purple flowers in summer. Full sun and modestly fertile soil yield best results. Ideal for cottage borders and cutting beds.
27. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Iconic daisy-shape blooms with dark centers, lasting late spring through summer. Drought tolerant and resilientâexcellent for pollinators and prairie gardens.
28. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Airy columns of tiny lavender-purple blossoms on silvery stems make a dramatic summer-fall show. Handles heat and drought with ease, perfect for borders and xeriscaping.
29. Salvia
Tall spikes in deep violet to blue-purple bloom through summer. Thrives in sunny, dry sites and ideal for low-maintenance and pollinator gardens.
30. Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)
Charming lavender-mauve blooms resembling soft pincushions. Compact, long-blooming, and perfect for borders or containers.
31. Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica)
Elegant grassy foliage and vivid purple-blue iris blooms in late spring. Tolerates moist conditions and is stunning beside ponds and streams.
32. Speedwell (Veronica)
Slender spires of purple to blue-violet flowers from early to mid-summer. Easy to grow in sun and adaptable to various soils.
33. Spiderwort (Tradescantia)
Clusters of three-petaled violet-purple flowers. Thrives in sun to part shade and tolerates damp soil, adding color to rain gardens.
34. Verbena
Low-growing, spreading plants with clusters of small purple flowers all summer. Best in full sun and with regular deadheading to prolong bloom.
35. Veronica
Also known as speedwell, Veronicaâs slender spires bloom in shades of purple and attract bees and butterflies. Low maintenance and reliable in borders.
36. Violets (Viola)
Low-clumping perennials that produce profusions of small purple flowers in woods and shade gardens. Adaptable to sun or shade and often self-seed.
37. Wisteria
Dramatic clusters of hanging purple blooms on vigorous, twining vines. Plant in strong sun and provide sturdy support. Gorgeous for arbors and pergolas.
38. Hardy Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos)
Huge, tropical-looking blooms in shades of lavender and purple. Prefers moist soils and sunshine, turning heads in mid to late summer.
39. Purple Bell Vine (Rhodochiton atrosanguineus)
Striking vining perennial for warmer zones, with long, tubular purple flowers cascading down. Thrives over trellises and can reach up to 12 feet in a season.
40. Chrysanthemums (Mums)
Autumn-blooming perennials with mounds of purple blooms. Compact and neat, great for border plantings and fall color.
41. Campanula (Bellflower)
A diverse group ranging from upright to low-spreading forms, with bell- or star-shaped purple blossoms. Versatile in shade or sun.
Care Essentials For Purple Perennials
- Sunlight: Most purple perennials prefer full sun (6+ hours daily), but many flourish in part shade. Always check the individual plantâs needs.
- Soil: Well-draining soil is crucial for almost all perennials. Amend clay or sandy soil as needed.
- Water: Young perennials need regular water to establish. Afterward, many are drought tolerant, though consistent moisture encourages better bloom.
- Fertilizer: Most perennials benefit from an application of compost or balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring.
- Pruning: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage longer flowering. Cut back plants after bloom or in autumn as appropriate for each species.
A Quick Comparison Table: Purple Perennials At a Glance
| Plant | Bloom Time | Height | Sun Requirements | Garden Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lavender | Summer | 18-36″ | Full Sun | Borders, Edging, Herb Gardens |
| Allium | Late Spring | 18-48″ | Full Sun | Cutting, Borders |
| Aster | Fall | 12-24″ | Full Sun/Part Shade | Cottage Gardens, Pollinator Beds |
| Coneflower | Summer | 24-36″ | Full Sun | Prairie, Wildlife, Cutting |
| Liatris | Summer | 24-48″ | Full Sun | Vertical Accent, Meadow Gardens |
| Wisteria | Spring | 10-30’+ | Full Sun | Arbors, Pergolas |
| Campanula | Late Spring-Summer | 8-36″ | Sun/Part Shade | Groundcover, Rock Gardens |
| Russian Sage | Summer-Fall | 24-48″ | Full Sun | Drought Tolerant Borders |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Which purple perennial flower is the easiest for beginners?
A: Lavender and Catmint are both beginner-friendly, drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant choices requiring minimal care once established.
Q: Will purple perennials attract pollinators?
A: Yes, many purple perennials such as bee balm, lavender, and coneflower are excellent for attracting bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds to your garden.
Q: How do I keep the color of purple flowers vibrant?
A: Ensure plants are grown in their preferred sun exposure and soil typeâtoo much shade or incorrect soil can mute flower color. Deadheading spent blooms and applying compost yearly also promotes stronger displays.
Q: What is the best time to plant purple perennials?
A: Early spring or fall (when the weather is cool and soil is workable) are ideal times for planting most perennials. This gives roots time to establish before summer heat or winter cold.
Q: Are there shade-tolerant purple perennials?
A: Yes! Try hellebores, lungwort, violets, or campanula for spots with dappled or partial shade.
Conclusion
Adding purple perennial flowers to your garden is an investment in perennial beauty and biodiversity. Whether you favor classic favorites like lavender and wisteria or seek garden drama with delphiniums and salvias, these selections ensure your landscape is filled with rich color and sturdy blooms that return every season. Mix heights, textures, and blooming times for a garden that remains lively from springâs first crocus to autumnâs last aster. With thoughtful choices and simple care, these purple treasures can transform any space into a lush, calming retreat.
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