It may seem like purple flowers are rare, but they are actually pretty widespread. Purple flowers come in various shades, including dark purple, lilac, deep violet, and magenta.
Flowers like Lavender, Petunia, Verbena, and Aster are popular among purple flower lovers. But they are not the only flowers you can get.
Are you looking to get some purple flowers? Do you need an expansive list to choose from? Well, if you answered yes to those questions, you are on the right page.
In this article, we discuss various types of purple flowers. We focus on their growth requirements, unique features, and much more.
Table of Contents
Allium
Alliums come in various colors, including purple, white, pink, and blue. They are also available in many sizes (heights) and shades. So, you get to choose from a wide variety.
Allium blooms present as a globe of tiny flowers atop a long green stalk. They thrive best in well-drained soil and full sun. But partial shade is also okay for them.
Alliums are drought-tolerant. So, water them minimally as they prefer relatively dry conditions.
Alliums are super attractive, no doubt. But beyond being visually appealing, they can actually keep critters out of your garden. Animals like squirrels and deer tend to stay away from Allium blooms.
While they keep squirrels and deer away, Allium blooms attract bees and butterflies. So, if you have a fruit plant in your garden, Allium blooms may help promote fruit production.
Alliums are hardy in growing zones 3 to 9.
Alpine Betony
The petals of alpine betony blooms grow from the middle outward to form a feather-like structure.
Alpine betony flowers are colored vivid purple, and they grow as clumps atop lush green foliage. They are typically used in window boxes, but they may also be used for ground covering.
Alpine betony blossoms in early summer. They are best grown in moist, well-drained soil in a spot exposed to full sun.
As the blooms of alpine betony dwindle, ensure you remove the flowers. Doing this will promote the formation of new buds.
Alpine betony thrives best in zones 4 to 9.
Anemone
Anemone flowers come in diverse colors, including purple, white, red, and blue.
Low-growing anemones thrive best in woodlands and rock gardens. Then the tall growers flourish best late in summer.
Anemones produce single or double flowers with 5-6 petals. While they are not fast growers, they spread pretty quickly when they start growing.
Anemones do well in moist, well-drained soil and partial shade. If you intend to move or transplant them, wait till spring.
Anemones are hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9.
Aster
Asters are so named because of the starry form of their flower heads. They come in various colors, including white, purple, and blue.
Purple aster flowers are pretty amazing; they brighten up gardens readily thanks to their yellow centers and well-arranged petals.
Asters attract butterflies and bees. So, if you have plants that need pollinators, asters might just be the perfect companion plant for them.
Besides attracting pollinators, asters can also help other flowering plants form a deep root system.
Asters need moist, well-drained soil for optimal growth. They do well in full sun and partial sun.
Asters enjoy pleasantly cold conditions and moist soil. So, ensure you water them regularly. They are hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8.
Bell Heather
Bell heathers may also be called Velvet Nights. As their name hints, they are a member of the Heath family.
Bell heathers are a low-growing shrub. They blossom into tiny bell-shaped clusters, which are perfect for walkways and gardens.
When dry, the flowers of bell heathers have about the same texture as strawflowers.
Bell heathers thrive best in well-drained soil exposed to full sun. If you water them regularly and cover the ground with a thick mulch layer, you can help promote extensive root growth.
Bell heathers are suited for USDA zones 6 to 8.
Blue-Eyed Grass
Blue-eyed grasses are neither grasses nor blue; they are perennial wildflowers belonging to the Iris family. So, the name is a bit of a misnomer.
Blue-eyed grasses bloom into vivid purple flowers atop long spires. They are pretty prolific, and if uncontrolled, they can produce enough seeds to dominate your garden. So, pay attention to their propagation pattern.
For the best outcomes, plant blue-eyed grasses in well-drained soil and expose them to partial shade.
Pruning blue-eyed grasses before winter promotes perfect blossoms in the following season. However, wait till the leaves turn brown before you prune. When cutting blue-eyed grasses back, cut right above the crown.
Blue-eyed grasses are hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9.
Candytuft
Candytufts are so named because of their lilac color, which is reminiscent of cotton candy. While they look like cotton candy, never attempt to eat candytuft.
Candytufts are flowering evergreens. Their blooms are suited for rock gardens. However, they may also be grown beside tall, slim plants for contrast.
Candytuft blooms grow pretty low, so they are also great for use as ground covers. In the same vein, try to keep them from growing too tall as they become frail with height.
To grow candytufts, you need to expose them to full sun and sow them in well-drained soil.
Candytufts are best suited for zones 7 to 11.
Catmint
Cats love the leaves from catmints. So, if you have a cat, you really should consider growing them in your garden.
Catmints blossom into purple flowers that run along the length of silvery-grey spires. The flowers are widely used as cut flowers, and they blossom over long periods.
If you are bothered about catmints taking over your garden, you could opt for a hybrid species. Hybrid species of catmints are typically sterile. So, they do not produce seeds.
Catmints need well-drained soil and full sun for optimal growth. They are hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8.
Coneflower
Coneflowers have daisy-like petals with orange, cone-like centers. So, their name is pretty accurate. They bloom into beautiful purple flowers, which can make gardens picture perfect.
Coneflowers also make top-notch cut flowers. They are effective at attracting pollinators such as songbirds and butterflies. They can be an ideal companion plant for fruit plants.
Coneflowers need full sun and well-drained soil to grow well. They are drought-tolerant, so you may not have to worry about watering them regularly.
As the bloom of your coneflower fades, be sure to prune out the dwindling flowers. Doing this promotes re-blooming and prolongs the season.
If your coneflower becomes frail, ensure you prune them to the ground after they blossom.
Coneflowers are best grown in zones 3 to 9.
Crocus
Crocus plants blossom into chic flowers of various colors. Their blooms come in white, yellow, orange, purple, and many other colors.
Crocus plants are early bloomers; they are one of the first to blossom in spring. Most Crocus flowers are aromatic, and their fragrance attracts early bees.
Crocus flowers are low-growing, so they are commonly used as ground cover. They are best grown in well-drained soil while exposed to full sun or partial shade.
Crocus plants and bulbs are hardy in zones 3 to 8.
Cyclamen
Cyclamens are a widely known houseplant. They produce purple and red flowers, and they are pretty easy to grow.
Houseplant varieties of Cyclamens are tropical, so ensure you keep them indoors.
Cyclamens are best grown in well-drained soil, and they thrive in full sun or partial shade. When caring for Cyclamens, water moderately. Excessive watering or underwatering may harm them.
Cyclamens are generally sensitive to temperature extremes, so be ready to care for them under moderate conditions.
Cyclamens are suited for USDA zone 5.
Foxgloves
Foxgloves are biennials that bloom vividly purple bell-shaped flowers. Foxglove flowers are polka-dotted, and they grow along the lengths of long spires.
Foxgloves are primarily ornamental because of their flowers. However, they also find medicinal applications. Foxgloves contain a cardiac glycoside called Digoxin.
Digoxin is a highly potent medication used in treating various heart conditions. However, it has a dreadfully low toxicity window. In other words, Digoxin can become toxic or lethal even in minute doses. For this reason, you should never consume foxgloves; they are poisonous.
Foxgloves can grow in full sun or partial shade. They prefer moist, well-drained soil.
Foxgloves are hardy in zones 4 to 10.
Fuchsia
Fuchsias are unique because of their two-toned flowers. They are pretty exotic, having red and purple petals on the same flower.
Fuchsias are hard to ignore. Of course, their unusual petal tones contribute to their ability to grab attention.
Fuchsia flowers are commonly used in hanging baskets. They can be grown in partial shade and well-drained soil. However, they are heat-sensitive, so ensure they get as much shade as possible.
Fuchsias are hardy in zones 9 to 10.
Honesty
The pretty flowers of honesty plants are the truth, so there is no misnomer here.
Honesty plants bloom into small-sized vivid purple flowers. They come with an unusual seed head and are pleasantly fragrant.
Honesty seed heads have a silvery glow to them. They are widely desired by florists because of their translucence and unique oval shape.
Honesty plants are low maintenance; you do not have to pamper them much to survive. Generally, they need moist, well-drained soil and full sun or partial shade for proper growth.
Honesty plants are hardy in zones 4 to 8.
Hydrangea
Hydrangeas are shrubs that blossom into flowers of various colors. They can produce purple, pink, and even blue flowers. The color of Hydrangea blooms is, in part, dependent on soil quality and type. Generally, if you want bluer flowers, make the soil more acidic.
Hydrangeas are typified by long, cone- or ball-shaped panicles from which large-sized flower heads emerge. The flower heads consist of multiple small-sized flowers.
Hydrangeas grow best in moist, well-drained soil. They are fine in full sun or partial shade and are hardy in zones 4 to 9.
Lavender
Lavenders are pretty popular because of the pleasant fragrance they release. But beyond their lovely scent, they bloom into beautiful, tiny flowers clustered on silvery stalks.
The fact that lavenders retain their smell even when dry makes them extensively useful. From relaxation masks to mosquito repellents, lavender blooms find various applications.
Lavender blooms grow on silvery-grey spires. So, the flowers are not the only visual appeal they offer. If you want one of the most elegant types of lavender, go for the ‘Hidcote Superior’ variety.
Lavenders grow best in well-drained soil while exposed to full sun. They seed pretty fast, so cut back as necessary so they do not take over your garden.
Lavenders are suited for growing zones 5 to 10.
Petunia
There are about 35 species of petunias in existence, and each one of them comes in various colors. While petunia blooms are available in diverse colors, you are more likely to find them colored white or purple.
Petunias grow well when planted in a location that receives full sun. They should be planted in well-drained soil for the best outcomes.
Petunias are elegant but delicate. They are pretty sensitive to frost. So, if you intend to grow them, put measures in place to keep them warm when necessary.
Petunias may also be affected by wind. So, ensure you protect them or remove them from high wind conditions.
Petunias are hardy in zones 9 to 11.
Verbena
Verbena blooms can come in any shade between violet and magenta. They come as a cluster of tall, small-sized flowers sitting atop a spire.
Verbena blooms are typically used in floral arrangements. They also find applications when used in their dry form, and all in all, they are a top option for your landscape.
With proper care, Verbena can blossom all summer long. Ensure you maintain the moisture in the soil, else flowering may stop.
Verbenas are suited for zones 9 to 11.
Resources
- https://www.proflowers.com/blog/purple-flowers
- https://www.flowerglossary.com/purple-flowers
- https://www.countryliving.com/gardening/garden-ideas/g25230472/purple-flowers
- https://www.southernliving.com/garden/flowers/anemone-flower
- https://www.ftd.com/blog/share/types-of-hydrangeas
- https://balconygardenweb.com/types-of-purple-flowers-names