41 Stunning Purple Perennial Flowers for an Elegant Garden

41 Purple Perennial Flowers With Names and Pictures

Bringing color, texture, and elegance to your landscape is easy with the right selection of purple perennial flowers. Known for their association with royalty, spirituality, and romance, purple blooms can provide striking contrast and harmony within any garden. Whether you crave the calming vibes of lavender shades or the dramatic effect of deep violets, these flowers offer diverse options in shapes, sizes, and scents. Below, you’ll find an expertly curated list of 41 of the most beautiful purple perennials—complete with growing tips and unique attributes—to inspire your next garden transformation.

Why Choose Purple Perennials?

Purple perennials are treasured in garden design for several reasons:

• Symbolic Meaning: Purple symbolizes wealth, luxury, and spirituality, adding a touch of sophistication.
• Color Contrast: Purple pairs beautifully with yellows, whites, and pinks, providing eye-catching combinations.
• Longevity: Perennials return each year, offering ongoing beauty with less replanting effort.
• Pollinator Attraction: Many purple flowers are favorites among butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

Consider each plant’s height, bloom time, and shade intolerance as you design your garden beds. Opt for a mix to ensure a continuous parade of purple throughout the growing season.

Best Purple Perennial Flowers for Your Garden

• Lavender (Lavandula)

  Lavender is a classic perennial known for its fragrant, slender spikes of purple flowers and silvery foliage. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for borders, herb gardens, and pollinator patches.

• Salvia (Salvia nemorosa and hybrids)

  Salvias are valued for their dramatic flower spikes and long bloom times. The rich violet tones attract bees and butterflies, while the aromatic foliage naturally deters deer and rabbits.

• Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

  This airy perennial features clouds of lavender-blue flowers atop silvery stems. Russian sage is drought-tolerant, versatile, and great for adding height and texture to sunny beds.

• Catmint (Nepeta)

  Abundant soft purple-blue blooms cover catmint throughout the spring and early summer. It’s low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly, and often used as a sprawling groundcover.

• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

  With its iconic daisy-like shape and raised center cone, purple coneflower brings robust color and resilience to gardens. These native perennials are drought-resistant and loved by pollinators.

• Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus)

  Named for its unique bubble-shaped buds, balloon flower delivers starry purple blooms in early to mid-summer. It’s easy to grow and provides whimsical charm in mixed borders.

• Allium (Allium giganteum and others)

  These dramatic globe-shaped blooms add architectural interest and a burst of purple to gardens in late spring. Alliums are deer-resistant and boast long-lasting flowers.

• Purple Iris (Iris germanica and hybrids)

  Bearded and Siberian irises unfurl elegant purple petals in late spring. Irises favor full sun and moist, well-drained soils, perfect for borders and cottage gardens.

• Clematis

  Clematis vines offer a profusion of purple—ranging from blues to violets—climbing up trellises or fences. Many varieties repeat bloom through summer with proper pruning.

• Phlox (Phlox paniculata and Phlox subulata)

  Garden phlox displays rich purple clusters on tall stems, while creeping phlox forms vibrant carpets of spring color. Both attract butterflies and thrive in sun-drenched locations.

• Vervain (Verbena stricta and Verbena bonariensis)

  With tall, branching stems and tiny, clustered flowers, vervain offers an ethereal touch and is especially attractive to pollinators. Hardy and low-maintenance.

• Campanula (Bellflower)

  Bellflowers come in various shades of purple and bloom in charming clusters or spikes. These adaptable perennials work well in borders, rock gardens, and containers.

• Hellebore (Helleborus)

  Also known as Lenten Rose, hellebore blooms in late winter to early spring with dusky purple to pink hues, brightening shady spots before most flowers emerge.

• Purple Astilbe (Astilbe chinensis and hybrids)

  Feathery purple plumes rise above attractive foliage, thriving in part shade and moist soils. Astilbe is perfect for woodland edges and rain gardens.

• Purple Baptisia (Baptisia australis)

  Also known as false indigo, this native perennial produces spikes of blue-purple flowers and is tolerant of poor soils and drought conditions.

• Liatris (Blazing Star or Gayfeather)

  Liatris features striking vertical spikes of purple that add movement and vertical interest to beds. A favorite for butterflies and cut-flower arrangements.

• Purple Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

  Graceful spires of bell-shaped purple blooms make foxglove a woodland and cottage garden must-have. Note that all parts are toxic if ingested.

• Purple Columbine (Aquilegia)

  Elegant and unique, columbine flowers nod above lacy foliage in an array of purple shades. They thrive in part shade and reseed naturally.

• Hardy Geranium (Geranium species)

  These perennials form mounds of delicate foliage and cup-shaped purple flowers that bloom through summer. They’re adaptable and tolerate partial shade.

• Aubrieta (Rock Cress)

  Excellent for rock gardens and edges, aubrieta forms low mats covered in violet to purple flowers each spring. It prefers well-drained soils and ample sunlight.

• Pasque Flower (Pulsatilla vulgaris)

  This unique perennial greets early spring with fuzzy, purple bell-shaped flowers, followed by feathery seedheads. Well-suited to sunny or lightly shaded spots.

• Anemone

  Fall-blooming Japanese anemones and spring-flowering windflowers offer delicate purple blooms for both sunny and partially shaded gardens.

• Lupine (Lupinus)

  Lupines feature tall, colorful spikes with vibrant purple options. These nitrogen-fixing perennials work well in cottage and wildlife gardens.

• Perennial Violas and Violets

  Tiny but mighty, violas and violets bring cheerful purple blooms to containers, edges, and naturalized lawn spaces throughout spring and fall.

• Verbena

  This sprawling perennial covers ground or spills from containers, providing clusters of fragrant purple flowers that attract pollinators from early summer until frost.

• Purple Bellflower (Campanula medium)

  Known for its tall stalks and elegant cup-shaped blooms, the purple bellflower is a star of cottage and cutting gardens.

• Purple Sedum (Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ and others)

  Succulent foliage is topped with clusters of rich purple flowers in late summer. Sedum thrives in sunny, drought-prone sites.

• Monkshood (Aconitum)

  With dramatic, hooded purple flowers, monkshood is a striking addition for shadier beds. All parts are toxic—plant with care.

• Ajuga (Bugleweed)

  This fast-spreading groundcover produces short spikes of purple-blue flowers and is a great way to fill shady, difficult spots.

• Purple Speedwell (Veronica spicata)

  Spikes of vibrant purple flowers bloom from early to midsummer. Speedwell is prized for its reliability, compact habit, and pollinator appeal.

• Purple Coral Bells (Heuchera)

  Heuchera varieties offer not only purple-tinted foliage but also delicate lavender or deep purple blooms that emerge in late spring.

• Wisteria

  This vigorous climber drapes fences and pergolas with cascades of fragrant purple flowers every spring. Provide strong support and plenty of room to spread.

• Purple Bell Vine (Rhodochiton atrosanguineus)

  An exotic vining perennial with heart-shaped leaves and dangling, bell-shaped purple blooms. Best for warm climates or as an annual elsewhere.

• Jacaranda

  In mild climates, this flowering tree covers itself in violet-blue blooms each spring, creating a purple canopy over streets and gardens.

• Hardy Orchid (Bletilla striata)

  This terrestrial orchid produces spikes of pinkish-purple flowers and thrives in partly shaded, moist soils.

• Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

  Caution: while beautiful, this perennial can be invasive in some areas. It offers long, dense spikes of purple flowers in midsummer.

• Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida)

  Known for its striking purple foliage and small violet blooms, this perennial is ideal for borders or containers in warm climates.

• Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana)

  Obedient plant produces spires of tubular, lavender-purple flowers and is well-behaved in moist, sunny gardens.

• Purple Toadflax (Linaria purpurea)

  This tall, slender perennial is covered in narrow spikes of delicate purple blossoms, ideal for adding vertical interest.

• Purple Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens)

  Famed for its sweet scent, heliotrope bears clusters of small purple blooms throughout summer and thrives in well-drained soil and full sun.

• Purple Sage (Salvia officinalis ‘Purpurascens’)

  An ornamental culinary herb with aromatic foliage and spikes of purple flowers. Attractive to bees and beautiful in herb gardens.

• Midnight Blue Rose (Rosa ‘Midnight Blue’)

  This shrub rose boasts deep, velvety purple blooms with a strong fragrance, blooming prolifically from spring through fall with regular deadheading.

Table: Quick Reference for Purple Perennials

Design Tips for Purple Perennial Gardens

• Mix Shades: Layer different shades of purple—from soft lilac to deep violet—for depth and visual intrigue.
• Contrast Colors: Partner purples with yellows, oranges, or whites to make blooms stand out.
• Vary Heights: Combine tall spires (like phlox or liatris) with low groundcovers (such as aubrieta or violets) for dimension.
• Bloom Succession: Select varieties with staggered bloom times to enjoy purple flowers from spring through fall.
• Foliage Interest: Add plants like purple heuchera for leaf color that persists when flowers fade.

Caring for Your Purple Perennials

• Most purple perennials thrive in full sun, though some tolerate or prefer light shade.
• Ensure well-drained soil to prevent root rot—especially for plants like lavender and salvia.
• Deadhead spent blooms to encourage repeat flowering and maintain tidy appearance.
• Mulch in spring to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
• Water regularly until plants are established, then reduce frequency for drought-tolerant types.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Are purple perennials suitable for pollinator gardens?

A: Absolutely! Many purple perennial flowers, such as salvia, phlox, and coneflower, are superb at attracting bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds for vibrant garden life.

Q: Which purple perennials perform best in shade?

A: Hellebore, astilbe, heuchera, and ajuga are just a few purple perennials that thrive in shaded or partially shaded garden spots.

Q: Can I use purple perennials in containers?

A: Many compact varieties, such as catmint, violas, and heuchera, adapt well to containers, offering flexibility for patios or small-space gardens.

Q: How can I keep purple perennials blooming longer?

A: Deadhead spent blooms regularly and provide adequate nutrients and water. Some, like phlox and clematis, will rebloom with the right care.

Q: Are any purple perennials deer-resistant?

A: Yes! Lavender, salvia, catmint, and Russian sage are notably deer-resistant, making them ideal for gardens with browsing wildlife.

Conclusion

Purple perennial flowers offer unmatched vibrancy, resilience, and elegance for all types of gardens. Whether you’re crafting a formal border, a cottage retreat, or a pollinator haven, there’s a purple perennial to delight your senses year after year. Mix heights, shades, and textures to unleash the full magic of purple in your landscape—and enjoy the royalty, romance, and pollinator activity that follow!

Top Purple Perennials & Easy Care Tips

Watch our video to explore top purple perennial flowers and master planting, care, and garden design tips. Dive in now to create a stunning, pollinator-friendly purple garden—watch now!

Author

Anjali Sayee

 

Anjali is an Associate Editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience specializing in hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She has authored over 300 articles and offers expert advice on hair styling techniques, effective skin care routines, and tips for maintaining healthy hair and skin.

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