Looking for some purple perennial flowers to add some color to your flower garden this season? Finding the right balance of color for your flower garden is important to almost every gardener, especially when you have so many options available to choose from. In this article, we take a look at our favorite purple perennial flowers that you can plant in your garden this season.
Choosing the right colors for your garden is crucial to your design and the overall feeling you’re going for. Purple is a color often associated with wealth and royalty. Depending on the shade, purple can also represent spirituality or romance. Adding some purple flowers to your garden can add pops of color because they can contrast well with many other colors in your garden. It’s even better when the flowers are perennial, meaning they return year over year.
Light purple flowers can evoke feelings of peace and calmness, while vibrant pinkish-purples can add some drama. Keep shades in mind when selecting which plants will work best in your garden and where you want to plant them.
Flowers come in different shapes, sizes, and fragrances, especially with our favorite purple perennials. Luckily, there are plenty of different options you can choose from. Below, we share our favorite purple perennials for your garden this season!
Allium
Allium plants come from the onion family and contain a flower head with clusters of florets. With Alliums, the flowers may have a rounded, oval, or cascading shape. Flowers come in a wide range of vibrantly colored blooms, including purple. You can also choose from various heights ranging from just a few inches to a few feet tall. Flowers on Allium plants often grow on the end of stalks with little to no leaves.
Alliums are easy to care for if you plant them in well-drained soil in an area with plenty of sunshine. You won’t need to water, weed, or fertilize it often. Typically rainfall will take care of Allium’s watering needs, but you may need to water your plants during a drought. Organic mulch can also enhance the health of your Allium flowers.
Anise Hyssop
Anise, sometimes referred to as blue giant hyssop or fragrant giant hyssop, is a herbaceous perennial with bluish-purple flowers that is very fragrant. Many gardeners relate the scent to licorice or tarragon. Anise is an edible plant with a licorice flavor and may be used as an herbal supplement. Flowers of Anise contain sweet nectar, attract pollinating insects, such as bees, and are deer-resistant. They are also well known to attract hummingbirds.
For the best health of your plant, use well-drained alkaline soil with a pH of around 6.5. Plant Anise seeds in a fresh and clean bed without any weeds or roots. Regular watering is necessary at first, and then these plants tend to be pretty drought-resistant.
African Daisy
African Daisies are evergreen perennials that produce rich lavender flowers. Depending on the time of year and type of flower, these stunning purple flowers will have a hint of white, pink, or peach faded into the petals. You can expect these perennials to bloom in the middle of summer, and after they are established, you can enjoy their vibrant colors spring through fall.
While African Daisies are young, they will need regular watering. After they’re established, they can tolerate periods of drought. However, a little water can help during long dry periods. Avoid overwatering these plants as they are especially prone to root rot when watering them.
Bearded Iris
Bearded Iris features vibrant colors, such as royal purple, with a lovely pattern on each petal. This flower gets its common name from the fuzzy “beards” atop the falls. This species has so many hybrids that many of the varieties aren’t morphologically typical of the Iris germanica. These perennials attract butterflies and hummingbirds but are deer-resistant.
This stunning flower blooms best when it gets plenty of sun but can tolerate partial shade—Plant Bearded Iris in well-drained soil humus soil. You will want to keep the soil moist but avoid overwatering it. Once established, Bearded Iris plants can tolerate some periods of drought. Every three to four years, divide Bearded Iris plants to avoid overcrowding.
Bluebonnet
Bluebonnets are hybrids of lupines and are popular among gardeners for many reasons. These plants contain clusters of vibrant bluish-purple flowers with light green foliage. One main benefit of these flowers is their various bright colors and their fast-growing tendencies.
Lupines do best when they have plenty of sunshine and need at least six hours of it per day. Though they can tolerate partial shade, their flowers will not bloom as well. Some afternoon shade may be beneficial if you live in a hot climate. Bluebonnets are drought-tolerant and do not like excess moisture; watering once per week should be plenty.
Butterfly Bush
Butterfly bush is a perennial that is simple to grow and produces stunning flower spikes. You can purchase these flowers in a variety of colors, including multicolor. Not only do Butterfly bushes attract butterflies, but hummingbirds like them as well. These perennials make great additions to just about any garden because they are both beautiful and can thrive in harsh conditions.
Butterfly bushes bloom best when planted in full sun. Though they can tolerate partial shade, they may not bloom as well. This plant isn’t picky about soil conditions as long as it’s well-drained. They prefer regular weekly watering, whether by you or rainfall. This plant can be considered invasive in certain states, so make sure to research your area.
Catmint
Catmint is a perennial herb of the mint family as the name suggests. Catmint is easy to grow and is pretty pest-resistant and deer-resistant. This low-growing perennial grows quickly and can thrive in most environments. You can grow Catmint anytime between spring to fall.
You can make tea from the flowers and leaves, which offers benefits such as relief from coughing, congestion, and even menstrual cramping. Cats are also attracted to Catmint, which has similar effects as catnip. Unsurprisingly, Catmint has a sweet, minty flavor.
Catmint prefers full sun; however, they do well with partial shade. They do best well-drained humus-rich soil, but some varieties can grow in various soil types. Until established, these plants will need plenty of water, but then Catmints can tolerate periods of drought.
Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums, often referred to as mums, feature vibrant clusters of petals on each flower. Just about every household has Chrysanthemums during the fall and winter months. You can purchase them in most grocery stores when they are in full bloom. However, you can get more out of your mums by planting them in the spring.
Mums can grow to be 3 feet tall and make great filler plants to add color in autumn. Chrysanthemums need lots of sunshine and regular watering. Add enough water to make the soil moist, but be careful not to overwater them. If you do choose to purchase mums for your home, look for plants that have unopened buds so that they will bloom all season.
Clematis
Clematis is an eye-catching perennial that will liven up any garden. The flowers on this plant are large, reaching up to 8 inches in diameter. This perennial is considered a “repeat bloomer,” meaning a young plant may bloom in both July and September. As a member of the Buttercup family, Clematis has over 300 species with various hybrids to choose from.
If you live in a cooler region, Clematis enjoys full sun, so long as you keep the roots shaded. In hotter regions, partially shaded is ideal for preventing the vibrant colors from fading. Well-drained soil works best for these perennials, and do your best to keep the soil moist.
Coneflower
Coneflowers are hardy plants that just about every Gardener adds to their display. Each bloom features multiple tiny flowers that are rich in color. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds love Coneflowers, and some birds enjoy eating their seeds. These perennials bloom early in the spring, with plenty of color.
Coneflowers can withstand a variety of temperatures but do not do well in humid or rainy climates. These flowers can do well in various soil types, as long as it doesn’t get too wet. Coneflowers can tolerate drought but do best with regular watering until they are established. Adult Echinaceas are only thirsty during periods of droughts.
Coral Bells
There are hundreds of varieties of Coral Bell, also known as Heuchera. These perennials feature flowers with a bell-like shape and range in colors. Traditionally, the leaves are green, but some varieties have purple, pink, gold, and other colored leaves. Butterflies and hummingbirds love Coral Bells, so you can expect to see a few flying around them.
Heuchera prefers partial shade in hotter regions; otherwise, the sun can diminish the bright colors. Plant Coral Bells in a slightly acidic, humus-rich, and well-drained soil. Soil that is too wet can be detrimental to Heuchera and may cause root rot. However, they appreciate regular watering and evenly moist soil.