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Whether pale lavender, deep violet, or moody plum, purple flowers are sure to win plenty of admiration in the garden. From the soothing light shade of pastel-hued orchid to the dark and moody tone of aubergine, the diversity of versatile purples always creates a striking display that pleases the eyes of a passerby.
Incorporate these blooms in a variety of palettes: Contrast them with chartreuse green flowers, or add a pop of color to a white garden. Pair them with pink flowers for a sweet combination in a cottage garden, or layer them in a monochromatic blue garden. Inside of this collection of purple-flowering vines, shrubs, annuals, perennials, and trees, you'll find beloved standbys like clematis, allium, and lilac, but you’re sure to discover some new favorites like passionflowers, Stokes' aster, and sea holly too.
In addition to providing a vibrant kaleidoscope of color in your outdoor spaces, make use of your blossoming beauties by incorporating them into charming mason jar flower arrangements and fun floral DIY projects. Or, enjoy them year-round by preserving them (see our tips on how to dry flowers and how to press flowers). Lavender and hydrangeas are classic purple flowers for drying, but in this list you'll also discover 'Blueberry Smoothie' Rose of Sharon, which keeps its colorful beautifully when dried, according to expert gardener Melissa Lallo Johnson.
Our Favorite Purple Flowers
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Purple Roses
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Yes, there are purple roses. Lavender varieties—such as 'Sterling Silver' and 'Lavender Bouquet' hybrid tea roses—often symbolize love at first sight, while deep purple roses, like 'Ebb Tide' floribunda rose and 'Midnight Blue' shrub rose, represent royalty or wealth. 'Plum Perfect' floribunda rose (pictured) is a juicy shade right in the middle.
This ornamental shrub is a popular alternative to lilac in hot southern states (USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 7 to 9), where it prefers full sun and loose, well-draining soil. Varieties range from 3 feet tall ('Blue Puffball') to 20 feet tall (´Shoal Creek´). Taller chastetrees can be pruned into small, multi-trunk trees. Both butterflies and bees flock to their fragrant purple blooms.
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'Blueberry Smoothie' Rose of Sharon
Melissa Lallo Johnson
Also known as althea, this shrub will grace your landscape with bluish-purple double blooms throughout the summer. "One of my absolute favorite fresh and dried flowers," says Melissa Lallo Johnson, a Midwest-based master gardener who shares her expansive garden on Instagram at @fancyflowerfarmer.
Johnson likes to use the dried flowers of 'Blueberry Smoothie' Rose of Sharon in craft projects, such as nestling them in moss in a glass box. "They dry perfectly in a food dehydrator or in silica beads placed in an airtight container. When dried they retain much of their color. They are prolific bloomers and reseed easily. They are great in part shade but will bloom more heavily with full sun."
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Clematis
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This fast-climbing vine is a popular ornamental that climbs fences, porches, and trellises, but it can also be a ground cover, says Johnson.
“Many of my clematis plants are strewn on the ground where they create a mass of flowers and pretty ground cover. They wind their way through plants and with a little help they can be trained to meander through tree branches," she says. "There are so many different kinds, but most of mine are a shade of purple. If you clip them and let them air dry in a basement, they can be used for craft projects over the winter months."
Most varieties of lilac bushes bloom in late May, but the window is fleeting—about three weeks!—so don't blink or you might miss them. Treasured for their fragrant flowers, lilacs benefit from long winters. Some varieties, such as cutleaf lilac (Syringa x laciniata) can tolerate a bit more heat.
Hailing from the Southeastern U.S., this drought-tolerant member of the daisy family is a good nectar source for butterflies. "It's probably my favorite purple flower," says landscape designer Daniel McCurry of Father Nature Landscapes in Birmingham, Alabama. Good news for cooler climates—it is cold hardy as low as USDA zone 5. Purple varieties include 'Purple Upright', 'Bluestone' (a bluish-purple dwarf), and 'Colorwheel', whose blooms turn from white to mauve with age.
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Salvia
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You can't beat salvia for a low-maintenance flower for sunny beds. The purple-blooming perennial variety 'May Night' (pictured; hardy in zones 4 to 8) is another of McCurry's favorites.
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Allium
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A member of the onion family, this striking perennial blooms in late spring and early summer and lasts for weeks. Easy to please, allium can be planted on their own or mixed with other plants.
Use this sun-loving, insect-repelling plant along walkways or garden paths where you can really enjoy its scent. Ranging from 1 to 3 feet tall and wide, these small shrubs will also supply you with raw materials for divine-smelling lavender crafts and recipes.
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Jacaranda Tree
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The jacaranda tree produces foot-long clusters of blooms measuring about two inches apiece. Native to South America, in the U.S., they're best in warm, coastal areas like California and Florida. They are cold sensitive below 27 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Bellflower
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These bell-shaped blooms grow in both white and bluish purple varieties, but the latter is most common. They enjoy well-drained soil and plenty of sunshine.
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Balloon Flower
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Part of the bellflower family, this long-living perennial is easy to please. The plants naturally repel deer, rarely need dividing, and can thrive in both cold climates and drought-prone areas.
Heliotrope blossoms are one of the most fragrant flowers around and sport a scent often compared to that of cherry pie. As a tender perennial, this tropical shrub is most often grown as an annual plant in the U.S.
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Purple Coneflower
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Also known as echinacea, coneflower can grow up to five feet tall and are happiest in lean soil, as heavily amended soil can result in poor flowering. This favorite perennial is native to the central and eastern U.S. and will attract bees to your garden.
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Cosmos
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Blooming in shades of purple, pink, and white, these daisy-like wildflowers bloom throughout summer and can thrive in poor soil conditions. Tip: The more you cut them, the faster and taller they grow!
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Hydrangea
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Except for white varieties, hydrangea flowers can change from pink to purple to blue based on the pH level of their soil. To keep your petals purple, aim for a pH level of about 5.5. Tip: It's easier to control pH levels in a pot, so consider planting your hydrangea bushes in containers if you're partial to a particular color.
Inexpensive and easy to plant, gladioli bloom from late summer through fall and are the perfect addition to a cut flower garden (they'll last for a week or more in a vase of fresh water). Try the variety 'Sweet Blue' for a lovely soft lavender shade.