100 Types of Purple Flowers (2024)

Whether pale lavender, deep violet, or moody plum, purple flowers are sure to win plenty of admiration in the garden. Famed for their powerful yet calming hues, purple flowering annual and perennial plants bring a touch of grandeur, nobility, extravagance, and even a few royal-esque notes to borders, planters, flower beds, and cut flower arrangements. Join us as we explore 100 beautiful types of purple flowers.

100 Types of Purple Flowers:

1) Allium (Allium)

About:

Allium is a genus of flowering plants comprising hundreds of different species, including onions, garlic, and chives. Many hybrids are grown as ornamentals (such as the ‘Gladiator’ and ‘Globemaster’) and are revered for their intricate spherical blossoming flowers atop a single elegant stalk. They’re also loved by pollinating insects; many grow up to around 3’ in height.

2) Alpine Betony (Stachys monieri)

About:

Alpine Betony offers a whimsically wild look to well-tended gardens as it offers abundant early spring flowers until fall. These perennial plants feature a starburst-shaped clump of textured leaves in a vibrant green. Long stems shoot upward from the leaves to bloom with small, pretty purple flower spikes. Alpine Betony grows up to 18 to 20 inches tall. Pollinators love them, while deer and rabbits avoid them, making them a perfect defense for other garden flowers.

3) Anemone (Anemone nemorosa)

About:

A member of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae), the Anemone nemorosa has deep, green leaves that unfurl in groups of three and petite flowers (less than 1 inch across) that bloom in early spring. They grow wildly throughout Europe, and more than 70 cultivars exist for garden planting. These herbaceous perennial flowers do not grow taller than 12 inches.

4) Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)

About:

From late spring through early fall, anise hyssop’s cone-shaped, lavender blooms attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bumblebees to gardens across North America, where it grows naturally in prairies. Its name comes from the anise-like scent that the plant emits when bruised. A single plant produces many flowers and reaches heights of up to 4 feet. This drought-tolerant perennial will also resist damage from deer that like to nibble.

5) Aster (Aster)

About:

Aster is a genus in the daisy family (Asteraceae), containing about 180 species of flowers. The name aster comes from the ancient Greek word for star, and it describes the aster’s stelliform flower heads with rings of petals around their bright-yellow centers. Asters bloom in late summer through early fall, brightening gardens after most of summer’s flowers have faded. Depending on the cultivar, aster can reach 8 inches to 8 feet. Be sure to choose one that’s suitable for your garden.

6) Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus)

About:

The only species of the Platycodon genus, the Platycodon grandiflorus gets its common name from the plant’s balloon-shaped buds that swell up before bursting into beautiful, upward-facing, starry bell-shaped flowers. Balloon flowers bloom in summer and grow wild in China, Japan, the Korean Peninsula, and Eastern Siberia. Balloon flower root has traditional medicinal uses and is a common ingredient in popular Korean dishes.

7) Bear’s Breeches (Acanthus mollis)

About:

Native to the Mediterranean, the Acanthus mollis features tall spires that sprout from clumped foliage to grow cones of snapdragon-like blooms. Bear’s breeches can grow between 3 and 5 feet in height, making them a perfect choice for accenting or adding height to a garden bed. In the 5th century B.C.E., the ancient Greek sculptor Callimachus made the shape of this plant’s leaf famous by modeling the ornate tops of his Corinthian columns after them.

8) Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera)

About:

The bee orchid offers a wonderful example of floral mimicry because it has a highly evolved plant-pollinator relationship. These types of orchids have four petals. Three are a stunning purple shade, and the fourth resembles a plump bumblebee feasting on pollen. This imposter petal attracts other bees to the flower, helping it reproduce. Native to Central and Southern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, this flower is not commonly found in northern climates or the United States.

9) Bell Heather (Erica cinerea)

About:

Bell heather is a low-spreading, blooming shrub that grows to be about 20 inches tall. Each twig-like stem features small, spiky leaves. From early spring through early fall, bell heather blooms profusely with bell-shaped flowers in a vibrant shade of purplish pink. They’re resistant to deer and drought and are generally pest-free, making them a low-maintenance choice for outdoor gardens.

10) Bellflower (Campanula)

About:

Campanula, commonly called bellflower, is a genus containing more than 500 species and numerous subspecies of perennial, biennial, and annual flowering plants. They bloom abundantly with star-like, bell-shaped flowers through June and July, and their blooming season can extend into October. They’ll spread throughout the seasons, making them a great choice for blooming ground cover. Depending on the species, they can range from just a few inches to almost 7 feet in height.

11) Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)

About:

The bittersweet nightshade is considered an invasive species in North America native to Europe and Asia. This species of vine is part of the potato family (Solanaceae). The climbing plant has arrow-shaped leaves and shooting star-shaped blossoms with purple petals and yellow stamens. Whilst not quite as toxic as Deadly Nightshade, bittersweet is recognized for its crimson berries, which are poisonous to humans.

12) Blackcurrant Swirl Moonflower (Datura metel)

About:

The blackcurrant swirl moonflower (Datura metel) is one of nine species of the genus Datura. All flowers from the genus Datura are flowering, shrub-like, vespertine plants. Their blooms (up to six inches wide!) open in the evening. Plants of this genus are also poisonous and have hallucinogenic properties. Throughout history, they’ve been used not only as a poison but also in spiritual practices. The blackcurrant variety of Datura flowers has trumpet-shaped blossoms in deep hues of purple-splotched white.

13) Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium montanum)

About:

Blue-eyed grass belongs to the iris (Iridaceae) plant family and grows wildly in meadows and open woods across the United States and Canada. This grass-like plant grows in clumps with slender stems and long, wing-like leaves. The plant’s small, purple flowers bloom from early spring through mid-summer, are less than 1 inch in diameter, and have six tepals and yellow stamens.

14) Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra)

About:

Bougainvillea is a beautiful, flowering evergreen shrub. It’s commonly grown against fences and walls that can reach about 12 feet in height. However, it can also grow standing alone in a garden bed. Bougainvillea blooms in swathes of vibrant purple bracts. In warm zones, it will bloom intermittently throughout the year. In cooler climates, blossoms will only appear in spring and summer.

15) Browallia (Browallia speciosa)

About:

Browallia speciosa is a tropical perennial that’s native to South America. In cooler climates, it’s typically grown as an annual flowering plant. Choose this perfect, low-maintenance plant for easy flower beds and container gardening that will bloom in beautiful hues of blue and purple from summer to fall. The plant grows into a cushion-shaped bush that blooms abundantly with star-shaped.

16) Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)

About:

This deciduous shrub grows vigorously, reaching up to 16 feet in height. Members of the Buddleja genus produce large, lilac-like cones of petite blossoms in delicate shades of purple, pink, and white. Burdened with heavy flower heads, the butterfly bush’s branches often arch to draw a weeping silhouette. From late spring to early fall, the plant’s honey-scented flowers provide a valuable nectar source to various butterfly species, hence the butterfly bush.

17) Calla Lily (Zantedeschia)

About:

A genus containing eight species of herbaceous flowering plants, flowers from the Zantedeschia genus are commonly called calla lilies. These plants don’t bloom with traditional flowers but rather sprout a false flower called a pseudanthium with a colorful, funnel-shaped bract. They begin blooming in summer and continue well into the fall.

18) Camas Lily (Camassia)

About:

From a clutch of grassy blades, star-shaped camas lily blossoms open up in purple clustered cones. These flowers are native to the western parts of North America, blossoming in early spring in winter-wet meadows, slopes, and prairies. Undisturbed camas lilies will self-seed and spread, creating a sea of purple – perfect for creating a natural look in a garden.

19) Candytuft (Iberis pruitii)

About:

Atop a cushion of dark-green foliage, candytufts produce perennial blooms during summer. In shades of almost-white lavender, their delicate blossoms feature circles of petite, round petals that grow smaller as they approach the bloom’s center. Popular cultivars to grow at home include Garden Candytuft (Iberis umbellata) and Snowflake Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens).

Candytufts will spread naturally, creating a mat for perfectly natural suppression of weed growth throughout your garden.

20) Canterbury Bells (Campanula medium)

About:

Native to Southern Europe, Campanula medium is an annual or biennial flowering plant that blooms in spring and summer with broad, perfectly bell-shaped blossoms in various softly sophisticated hues. They provide an abundance of pollen and nectar that attracts butterflies and honey bees.

21) Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus)

About:

If you’ve ever walked past a flower shop window, you’ve seen a carnation. Included in just about every bouquet, boutonniere, and corsage, carnations are beloved for their attractive ruffles of petals. The original flowers bloom in a pretty shade of pinkish-purple, but its cultivars bloom in just about every color and combination of colors under the sun.

22) Catmint (Nepeta)

About:

Nepeta is a genus containing about 250 species of mostly perennial flowering plants. They produce tall, skinny spires of purple blossoms ranging from 9 inches to 3 feet. Their aromatic, slightly minty blossoms bloom from late spring to early fall. If you plant a garden full of one particular species, Nepeta cataria, it might appear you’re cultivating cats because this true variety of catnip attracts our feline friends with its fragrantly euphoric effects.

For more, see our essential guide to growing Catnip at home.

23) Cattleya Orchid (Cattleya)

About:

Cattleya is a genus of flowering, sometimes fragrant tropical plants that grow naturally in a region that stretches from Costa Rica to Argentina. The genus contains several unique species of orchids that feature intricate blossoms in a rainbow of warm hues. They’re delightful to grow indoors and can also be cultivated outside in warm, humid climates or in cooler climates during the spring and summer.

24) China Aster (Callistephus chinensis)

About:

These cheerful, annual blossoms are a favorite in spring and summer gardens. China aster cultivars vary in height (from 8 inches to 3 feet) and feature a wide array of flower heads that range in shape and fullness from a single row of daisy-like petals to full, shaggy, pom-pom blooms. The impressive flower heads span from 3 to 5 inches in diameter. They’re tolerant of various conditions, making them a perfect choice for gardens anywhere.

25) Clematis (Clematis)

About:

The Clematis genus contains about 300 perennial and biennial woody climbing vines. Clematis vines sprout stunning, star-like blossoms in solid and variegated patterns ranging from the blackest purple to delicate lavenders and violets, warm pinks, rosy reds, and white. A garden favorite, clematis is a versatile plant trained to grow along the ground, offering cover, or climb up walls, trellises, fences, shrubs, and trees.

For more, see our expert guides to growing Clematis Montana and growing Clematis Nelly Moser at home.

26) Columbine (Aquilegia)

About:

Aquilegia is a genus containing about 70 perennial plants that bloom from late spring through early summer with five intricately shaped petals, sepals, and stamens. The scientific name, Aquilegia comes from the Latin word for eagle, as the petals are said to resemble the shape of an eagle’s talons. The common name, columbine comes from the Latin word for dove because the blossoms resemble a group of five doves gathered in a circle.

27) Common Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

About:

Native to North America, Europe, and Western Asia, the common comfrey grows wildly in moist grasslands. Comfreys have broad, hairy leaves that sprout small, bell-shaped flowers. The plants have deep-burrowing roots that take up copious nutrients deep within the soil. As a result, spent plants can be mulched to create a natural fertilizer for the rest of your garden.

28) Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

About:

Echinacea purpurea, commonly called coneflower, is most popular for its use in herbal medicine. Taken in a pill or brewed into tea, it’s thought to help strengthen the immune system against viral infections. These flowers grow wild across much of the United States and Canada. Sprouting up in meadows and grasslands, these daisy-like coneflowers resemble a badminton shuttleco*ck with vibrant purple flowers that slope downward from a bulbous, orange-brown center. They’ll draw birds and butterflies to your garden.

29) Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)

About:

Members of the daisy family, Cosmos bipinnatus is a popular flowering plant. Flower heads blossom from 2 to 4 inches wide. With their bright yellow centers encircled by equally vibrant petals, they’re prized for their ornamental use in gardens and containers. Although they’re considered annuals, the garden cosmos will self-sow and reappear to be enjoyed year after year.

30) Crocus (Crocus vernus)

About:

The crocus is one of the first flowers of spring. They usually bloom in late March or early April; sometimes you’ll see them popping out from beneath the last snowflakes of winter. Although that might seem strange, these frost-tolerant blooms are native to the alpine regions of Europe like the Alps, Pyrenees, and the Carpathian Mountains. Low-growing crocus blooms open up during the day and close at night. They often remain closed on rainy days, too.

31) Cup-and-Saucer Vine (Cobaea scandens)

About:

The Cobaea scandens is a perennial, climbing vine that will cling to just about any surface. These flowers native to Mexico and are sometimes grown naturally in other parts of Central America. The vine produces forward-facing blossoms. These large, bell-shaped flowers have a prominent ruff around the base, which gives these blossoms their class cup-and-saucer shape. At maturity, the blossoms emit a lovely fragrance.

32) Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum)

About:

Native to the Mediterranean Middle East, Cyclamen is a genus of perennial flowering plants that tend to grow out of rocky hillsides, woodlands, and shrublands. These lovely flowers grow in clumps of heart-shaped leaves marbled with light and dark green stripes. Stems with shooting star-shaped flowers sprout from the plant’s center, featuring five sepals topped with five upswept petals. Blooms begin in autumn and continue through winter. When dormant, cyclamens appear almost dead, but they are simply dormant.

33) Dendrobium Orchid (Dendrobium)

About:

The genus Dendrobium contains more than 1,800 diverse species of orchids that grow across much of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. Plants in this genus of orchids rarely grow with their roots in the soil. Instead, they spread out, clinging to tree bark and rocks. The plants have a tuft of up to six waxy, deep-green leaves from which a single branch of blossoms blooms. This orchid symbolizes pure affection and love, making it the perfect gift for one’s true love.

34) Dianthus (Dianthus Spp)

About:

The Dianthus genus contains about 300 flowering plants, including annuals, biennials, and perennials. Although some flower heads feature single petal rows and others have double rows (like miniature carnations), they all have the same ragged-looking petals with jagged, toothed edges. Dianthus plants have blue-green foliage that can clump, trail, or tower. Depending on the variety, dianthus plants vary from 5 inches to 3 feet in height.

35) Dwarf Iris (Iris reticulata)

About:

Compared to other plants from the Iris genus, which can reach up to 3 feet in height, the Iris reticulata is relatively small, growing to only about 6 inches. Sword-like, ribbed leaves surround sweetly fragrant spring blossoms, which feature floppy petals in various colors contrasted with a spotted, orange, flame-like mark.

36) European Periwinkles (Vinca)

About:

The Vinca genus contains several trailing, flowering plants. Some are evergreens, and others are deciduous. They have simple, green leaves and produce delicate, five-petaled blooms throughout the growing season. European periwinkles produce trailing branches that take root where they touch the ground. As a result, they spread aggressively and should only be planted unfettered in the ground where ground cover is desired.

37) False Goat’s Beard (Astilbe)

About:

The genus Astilbe contains 18 species of flowering, shrub-like plants. With sprawling fern-like foliage, false goat’s beard plants grow upright, reaching about 4 to 6 feet tall and spreading about 2 to 4 feet wide. Throughout summer, they produce feathery, cone-shaped plumes of flowers. They prefer wetter soil than most blooming plants, making them perfect for pond-side planting and adorning backyard water features.

38) False Indigo (Baptisia australis)

About:

Native to much of North America, Baptisia australis grows naturally in open meadows, along streams, and at the forest’s edge. This upright perennial grows to be about 4 feet tall, has lush clover-like foliage, and tall, purple flower cones resemble lupine blooms and blossoms in late spring. Once blossoms are spent, they develop black pods filled with seeds, which rattle when shaken. These attractive black pods are prized for the unique beauty they give the plant and floral arrangements.

39) Foxglove Flowers (Digitalis purpurea)

About:

You can’t miss a garden-growing foxglove. This strikingly beautiful plant blossoms throughout spring with prominently packed cones of ornate, bell-shaped flowers. Before blooming, foxgloves grow rows of simple, green leaves in a spiral pattern, forming a rosette around the plant’s 3- to 7-foot tall flowering stem. Once blossoms are spent, the blooms go to seed and self-sew to return each year.

40) Fuchsia Flowers (Fuchsia magellanica)

About:

The Hardy Fuchsia is a flower plant species belonging to the Onagraceae (evening primrose) family, and it’s native to Southern South America. In frost-free climates, the fuchsia can grow to 10 feet in height and width; in colder climates, it can still achieve about 4 or 5 feet in height. Apart from its size, the fuchsia is most notable for its intricate and exotic-looking pendant flowers, which feature a deep-purple central tube filled with equally vibrant stamen and surrounded by hot-pink sepals.

41) Geranium Flowers (Geranium)

About:

The geranium genus contains over 400 species of flowering evergreen perennials, biennials, and annuals. Geranium foliage features palm-like, cleft leaves. The plants bloom throughout summer with delicate, five-petaled flowers.

42) Gladiolus Flowers (Gladiolus hortulanus)

About:

Part of the Iris (Iridaceae) family, the Gladiolus genus is a group of perennial flowering plants that grow from corms. They have sword-shaped leaves and giant flower spikes that can reach heights of 1.5 to 6 feet. Their tightly packed cones of bell-shaped blossoms arrive in late summer and continue into early autumn. Most gladioli grown in gardens today are hybrids known as Gladiolus x hortulanus.

43) Globe Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus)

About:

Cynara cardunculus, commonly called the globe artichoke or cardoon, is an edible plant that can be harvested for its celery-like stalks and its artichoke-like top (if harvested before blooming). Additionally, the cardoon is a joy to plant and watch as it grows into a towering 6-foot-tall plant. The globe artichoke has attractive, silvery foliage, and its artichoke-like plant bulb blossoms with a halo of spikey, purple flowers. It’s native to the Mediterranean region and is considered an invasive species in parts of California, where it now grows wildly.

44) Globe Thistles (Echinops)

About:

The Echinops genus contains about 120 blooming plants from the Asteraceae (daisy) family. Although they’re related to daisies, globe thistles are anything but ordinary, as they’re cultivated for their spiny, globe-shaped blossoms. They grow beautifully in garden edges. Plus, they add a wonderfully surprising textural element to cut floral arrangements. Blooming through summer to early fall, their golf ball-sized purple blossoms can reach impressive heights of up to 6 feet.

45) Gloxinia Flowers (Sinningia speciosa)

About:

The Sinningia speciosa shares many similarities with the popular houseplant, African Violets. They have similarly velvety blooms in vibrant colors and soft, deep-green foliage of a similar texture. However, they’re native to Brazil ­– not Africa – and bloom in the spring, followed by a dormant period. These flowering plants of the Sinningia genus are sometimes referred to as gloxinia. However, this name is technically incorrect because Sinningia speciosa used to belong to the Gloxinia genus until they were reclassified. They have yet to receive a new common moniker.

46) Heliotrope (Heliotropium peruvianum)

About:

The heliotrope is a perennial shrub native to Peru. However, it grows in gardens all around the world today. They grow to about 2 feet in height, making them a well-controlled choice for flowerbeds. These shrubs have soft, green foliage and blossom from summer to fall with rounded clusters of multitudinous, petite flowers. Although most animals avoid them, you should remember that heliotrope is highly toxic to cats, dogs, and humans.

47) Hellebores (Helleborus)

About:

The Helleborus genus consists of about 20 species of perennial, flowering plants – most of which are poisonous. These evergreens keep their attractive green foliage year-round and produce striking, long-lasting blooms that open during winter or early spring and remain for 6 to 8 weeks. Hellebores have an enchanting, almost eerie quality of beauty with rows of pointed petals in a haunting palette of shades.

48) Hibiscus Flowers (Hibiscus)

About:

Hibiscus is a genus containing hundreds of species of flowering woody shrubs, purple perennial plants, and trees. Native to warm, temperate regions and tropical/subtropical climates, purple hibiscus plants grow best in similar conditions where they’ll bloom throughout the year. They’re most revered for their spectacular blossoms that feature trumpet-shaped blooms, delicate petals, and showy stamens in exotic colors and silhouettes.

49) Hollyhock Flowers (Alcea rosea)

About:

Alcea rosea, commonly called hollyhocks, is one species of about 60 in the Alcea genus of flowering plants. People often confuse hollyhocks with perennial plants, but they’re annuals and expert self-sewers that, with proper care, will seed on their own and grow back each year. Gardeners in agreeable zones around the world love hollyhocks for their ornamental appeal. They can grow up to 8 feet tall, and vibrant, trumpet-shaped blossoms crowd their towering stalks from June to August.Cultivars also include an array of other colors, including the dark and mysterious Alcea rosea nigra.

50) Honesty (Lunaria annua)

About:

The Lunaria annua, commonly called honesty, actually has several common names. While this tall plant offers attractive clusters of small flowers from mid-spring to late summer, it’s loved and recognized for its alluring, translucent seed pods. These seedpods resemble silver dollars, come in see-through shades of white and green, and are commonly included in arrangements of dry flowers. Although this biennial plant blooms only once every two years, it self-sews. So, once the plants are established in your garden, you can enjoy them yearly.

51) Honeywort (Cerinthe major)

About:

Honeywort is a herbaceous plant native to the Mediterranean that sports purple nodding flowers at the end of multiple stems. Bees and hummingbirds love the flowers, surrounded by colorful bracts in some varieties like ‘Purpurascens.’ The plants are easy to grow, top out between 2 and 4 feet tall, and bloom throughout the summer.

52) Hydrangea Flowers (Hydrangea)

About:

Hydrangea is a genus of flowering shrubs known for their rounded masses of small petaled flowers. Colors range from white to pink and deep purple, depending largely on the variety and the soil’s specific pH balance. The hydrangea season blooms from late spring to summer and grow between 1 and 5 feet tall. Some types of hydrangeas are very easy to grow, while others are less hardy and are better kept indoors as houseplants.

53) Italian Aster (Aster amellus)

About:

Italian Aster is a small flowering member of the daisy family with bright purple petals contrasting a bold orange center. It’s native to high European mountain ranges like the Alps, and it’s surprisingly easy to grow in the home garden. It doesn’t require much special care or water and stays under 18 inches in height.

54) Lavender (Lavandula)

About:

One of the best-known purple flowers, Lavender is a genus of nearly 50 different related flowers. Most types of lavender are highly fragrant and used for perfume and aromatherapy, especially Lavandula angustifolia. These plants send up tiny purple flowers on tall stalks above low-growing foliage, and most thrive in dry and sunny conditions. Lavender is easy to propagate as well if you’re looking to expand your collection or gift to friends and loved ones. It’s also easy to harvest and dry lavender for use throughout the winter months.

55) Liatris (Liatris)

About:

The Liatris genus includes a variety of similar grass-like plants that sport blazing flower spikes high above their foliage. The unopened buds are a dark royal purple, while the upper blooms are lavender and fuchsia. Also known as Blazing Star, these meadow plants are tough and easy to grow.

56) Lilac Flowers (Syringa vulgaris)

About:

Lilac is a fragrant flowering shrub native to the Balkans. It flowers in spring and has white, lavender, or mauve blossoms in a compact cone known as a panicle. The shrub eventually becomes more treelike, and the wood is even valuable for decorative work.

57) Lily of the Incas (Alstroemeria)

About:

The genus Alstroemeria includes many flowering plants known as Lilies of the Incas. These South American blooms aren’t true lilies, but they have colorful blossoms emerging from tubers, much like the plants named after. They can flower nearly year-round in warm climates.

58) Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus orientalis)

About:

Easily grown from bulbs, Lily of the Nile is a purple to blue flowering plant that is ideal for vase cuttings. It can grow up to 4 feet tall with clusters of flowers set atop tall stems. However, it’s limited to only the warmest parts of the country.

59) Lily turf (Liriope muscari)

About:

A short and attractive flowering perennial, lily turf is great for filling in beds. It has lime green grass-like foliage, giving it the turf name, yet it also sports purple or blue flower stalks in the summer. Its evergreen foliage makes it great for yard decoration.

60) Lisianthus Flowers (Eustoma Grandiflorum)

About:

Spring-blooming Lisianthus is a type of dramatically purple gentian that is hardy in warm zones. Native to dry prairies across the US and Mexico, it sports flowers that are up to 2 inches across. They work equally well as cutting and bedding plants.

61) Lungwort Flowers (Pulmonaria)

About:

Lungwort is a genus of short woodland perennials that are often grown for their striking foliage and purple to blue flowers. Speckled or striped foliage is common, which helps give the plant its unusual name. Plants rarely grow above 10 inches tall, making them ideal for beds and borders.

62) Lupine (Lupinus)

About:

The Lupinus genus includes hundreds of beautiful flowering plants that make tall, distinct spikes of colorful flowers. Lupines are known for their rich purple and blue colors but also available in many other varieties. Some lupines are also important food sources thanks to the production of edible bean-like seeds.

63) Melastoma (Melastoma)

About:

Melastoma is a genus of mostly tropical plants that sport distinctive five-petaled flowers in rich shades of pink, fuchsia, and purple. Most species within this genus require warm and humid conditions, but they’re worth the effort to grow for their large blossoms. The group includes both shrubs and short twining vines.

64) Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)

About:

Named after its fringed and delicate flowers, the Mistflower is a colorful Aster family member. It loves wet areas and will spread rapidly in the right conditions. Use it as a part of a naturalized water garden and to attract beneficial insects.

65) Monkshood (Aconitum napellus)

About:

Monkshood (aka Wolf’s Bane) is a striking blue to purple flowering plant with a spike reaching up to 4 feet tall. It’s also highly poisonous and must be handled with gloves for safety, even in the garden. Consider if the risks of its toxic nature are worth the beauty of its blooms before planting.

66) Moonflower (Ipomoea turbinata)

About:

Popular for its strong fragrance as much as its large night-opening blooms, the Moonflower is a type of tropical morning glory. As long as these vigorous vines get warmth and room to climb, they’ll reward you with unique blossoms. Grow them as annuals in cooler climates or perennials in their hardy zones.

67) Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea)

About:

The common morning glory is still popular because of its brightly colored trumpet-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. This wide-growing vine can adapt to many conditions and doesn’t require much care after establishment. It can be invasive, so consider growing it in a container rather than the garden.

68) Mountain cornflower (Centaurea montana)

About:

Growing only 1 to 2 feet tall, the Mountain cornflower is native to European mountain ranges but does well in beds worldwide. Its intensely colored fringe flowers make a strong statement against the lance-shaped foliage. Mounding shapes make it ideal for holding its own in a mixed bed or container.

69) Mystic Merlin (Malva Sylvestris)

About:

One of the shorter Mallow family members, the Mystic Merlin, is only 3 to 4 feet tall and sports boldly colored blooms against dark foliage. Most varieties have dark stripes on the flower petals. It requires heavy pruning in the late summer to continue looking its best as older leaves grow ragged.

70) Pansy Flowers (Viola wittrockiana)

About:

One of the most popular annual bedding plants in the US, the pansy features a charming round flower with multiple colors on each blossom. The short height and spreading foliage make it ideal for filling in any bed, container, or border. These plants prefer cooler temperatures, so plant them in the spring or fall and replace them in the summer.

71) Pasque (Pulsatilla)

About:

Despite their toxicity, the Pulsatilla genus includes 40 species of purple flowering herbs used for medicinal purposes. The plants are very short, some only a few inches tall while blooming. The small, delicate flowers are best showcased in a container or raised bed where you can see them.

72) Passion Flowers (Passiflora)

About:

The Passiflora genus is full of beautiful flowers, but most of the species within it are also prized for their fruit. Almost all of the varieties are vines that eagerly grow up any surface and produce large, unique-looking multipart flowers.

73) Peony (Paeonia)

About:

The Peony genus includes many related flowering bushes that resemble roses without thorns. The large and many-petaled flowers are also highly fragrant in many varieties, with scents ranging from spicy to sweet. Large tree peonies can grow up to 7 feet tall and 5 feet wide.

74) Petunia Flowers (Petunia)

About:

Sharing the same family as tomatoes and tobacco, the Petunia genus is full of flowering plants widely used for bedding and container annuals. Most petunias have been bred for dwarf growth and barely top 8 to 12 inches in height. They’re great for filling in beds and creating hanging baskets that bloom all summer long.

75) Primroses (Onagraceae)

About:

The Primrose family includes dozens of flowering herbs that are popular on their own, including evening primrose and fuchsia. Many primrose species have colorful sepals to match the flower petals, making their blooms look larger. The plants are native or naturalized to almost every continent.

76) Purple Flash (Capsicum annuum)

About:

An ornamental pepper bred specifically for its stunning dark purple leaves, the Purple Flash pepper also has charming purple flowers. It’s great for container growing because it’s dwarfed from other pepper varieties. Like most ornamental chilis, the red fruits are edible but extremely hot.

77) Pygmy Iris (Iris Pumila)

About:

The pygmy iris is the original dwarf iris bred to create all the modern short-stemmed varieties. The rounded blooms in bright purple, blue, or cream sit atop stems just a few inches tall. They’re hardy and easy to grow, but they deserve a spot where they can be admired independently.

78) Rhododendron Flowers (Rhododendron)

About:

Over 1,000 species of flowering trees and shrubs make up the Rhododendron genus. Many of them are evergreen, and most feature large and colorful clusters of flowers. They tend to grow in mountainous regions worldwide and include popular landscaping varieties like azaleas. Blooming can range from late spring to early fall.

79) Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

About:

Growing native throughout the steppes of Asia, Russian sage is a flowering herb that easily blends into cottage and formal gardens. Like other sages, it has spikes of blue to purple flowers and a pleasant smell from the crushed foliage. It’s used for dye-making and herbal remedies in Russia as well.

80) Salvia (Salvia)

About:

Salvia is a genus within the mint family that includes over 1,000 different species. Many feature beautiful purple, blue, or white flowers that attract bees and butterflies. Some sage plants can be used for cooking, while others are considered medicinal.

81) Scabiosa (Scabiosa)

About:

The Scabiosa genus of the honeysuckle family includes many tufted round flowers known as pincushions. The genus takes its name from the fact that many members were traditionally used to treat scabies. Most varieties send up pink or purple compound flowers on tall stems, making them easy to admire in mixed beds and borders.

82) Sea Holly (Eryngium)

About:

Sea holly is an unusual, almost severe-looking flowering plant that can handle dry and salty conditions. The spiny leaves and elongated stems are topped with powdery blue or lavender flowers that look spiky. These flowers make a strong statement in any garden area.

83) Sea Thistle (Cirsium japonicum)

About:

The fall flowering Sea Thistle is just as spiny as many other thistles, but it has a charming pink to purple flower that is even more feathery than other varieties. Unlike other larger Cirsium species, it only grows a few feet tall and is commonly used for cut flower production of flowers and dried seed pods.

84) Spike speedwell (Veronica spicata)

About:

Clumping spike speedwell sends up tall spires of purple, pink, or white flowers all summer long. Tuck this plant into beds and borders that need vertical color and visual interest. With shallow root systems and a preference for moist soil, it can be tricky to keep watered evenly.

85) Summer Lilac (Buddleja davidii)

About:

Summer lilac or butterfly bush is a cheerful flowering shrub that attracts butterflies and bees. It has been used ornamentally since the 1800s and requires annual pruning to look its best year after year. Most varieties have a sweet honeylike scent, which is what helps attract butterflies.

86) Summer Snapdragon (Serenita angelonia)

About:

Summer snapdragon isn’t really a snapdragon, but rather a sprawling flowering plant that can produce blooms all summer long. Bicolor varieties bring a lot of color to small spaces, while pink, white, and purple blooms are also common. The fragrant flowers are attractive to beneficial insects and make great cut flowers.

87) Sweet Pea Flowers (Lathyrus odoratus)

About:

Few spring-blooming flowers are as colorful and charming as the Sweet Pea. Not only do these pea-like flowers usually sport two or more colors, but they also have strong, sweet fragrances that give them their names. Many varieties bloom through July, especially in cooler climates.

88) Sweet rocket (Hesperis matrionalis)

About:

Sweet rocket is often mistaken for phlox, but this pink-to-purple herb only has four petals on each flower. Clusters of smaller flowers top a tall stalk covered in arrow-shaped leaves. It’s ideal for creating tall borders along the edges of paths and beds, but it can spread easily and become invasive.

89) Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

About:

Teasel is a tall flowering plant considered a weed in some areas and a desirable food source for birds in others. It produces rounded and spiky flower heads that can rise 8 feet above the ground and only blooms every other year. The flowers are slightly purple to mauve colored, but they’re generally not attractive enough to be planted for ornamental use.

90) Throatwort (Trachelium caeruleum)

About:

Low-maintenance throatwort is eye-catching thanks to hundreds of tiny tubular flowers all clustered along the top of the plant. The royal purple to navy blue colors are great for beds that need a burst of color, while the rich nectar supply nurtures bees and butterflies.

91) Tulip Flowers (Tulipa)

About:

The Tulipa genus includes hundreds of species and varieties of related perennial bulbs that all share a common cup-shaped flower. With colorful splotches and painted edges in every color combination, these spring blooms are a great way to brighten up a landscape. No wonder they’ve caused multiple gardening crazes over the last few centuries.

92) Verbena Flowers (Verbena bonariensis)

About:

Whether it’s called Verbena or purpletop vervain, this flowering herb is a fast-growing way to add purple to any bed. It can reach 6 feet tall with fertile soil, so make it the tall back layer of a mixed bed or container. It’s a perennial in many areas but grows fast enough to be a worthwhile annual in other zones.

93) Wallflowers (Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’)

About:

Of all the wallflower varieties, ‘Bowles’s Mauve’ has some of the brightest and most colorful blossoms. The dense clusters of flowers rise high above the grass-like foliage, allowing these flowers to stand out in any bed or border. It can also cascade over edges and walls if planted with space to sprawl sideways.

94) Waxflower (Chamelaucium)

About:

Related to myrtles and tea trees, the waxflower is a tropical evergreen shrub with large, distinctive flowers. Five-petaled pink or purple flowers form along the needled boughs, and their waxy feel gives the plant its name. The leaves are aromatic when crushed, but the flowers themselves have little to no scent.

95) Wild Hyacinth (Dichelostemma capitatum)

About:

Wild hyacinth grows from a buried corm to create a tall stem with only a handful of leaves and a cluster of crocus-like flowers. Mauve petals surround orange stamens for a beautiful contrast of colors. It’s native to California’s coastal deserts and prairies, but it’s grown in many dry areas.

96) Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis)

About:

Wild indigo isn’t an indigo, but it has beautiful blue to purple flowers similar to the plant named after. It needs little watering or fertilizer and grows well in poor soils. Some gardeners grow it specifically for the attractive seed pods instead and let it stand all winter.

97) Wisteria Flowers (Wisteria sinensis)

About:

Wisteria is a unique plant native to China and Japan that can grow as both a vine and a tree. When it can get support from a trellis or other plant, it will vine over it and bloom profusely with sweetly scented clusters of light purple blossoms. Wisteria planted on its own will grow a trunk and take on a tree shape, still blooming profusely after a few years.

98) Wood phlox (Phlox divaricata)

About:

Wood phlox is a native wildflower that spreads by creating large clumps of dense growth. Bright blue to mauve flowers with five petals attract butterflies, but you’ll need to keep the plants well-watered through the heat of the summer. This type of phlox tends to stay shorter than other pink flowering species.

99) Yesterday Today Tomorrow (Brunfelsia pauciflora)

About:

Yesterday Today Tomorrow is a flowering shrub covered in flowers similar to pansies or violets, making them attractive additions to any walkway or formal garden. It’s a tropical evergreen plant restricted to indoor cultivation or use only in warmer climates.

100) Zinnia Flowers (Zinnia)

About:

The Zinnia genus encompasses a wide range of colorful annual flowers that are related to daisies and sunflowers. Most are in the red and yellow colors, but purple and pink varieties are also available. Zinnias are some of the easiest annual flowers to grow from seed and will self-seed themselves if you don’t deadhead them.

The Final Word

There are so many purple flowers to choose from that making selections for a garden with limited space can sometimes feel overwhelming. When choosing which purple flowers to include in your garden, consider your hardiness zone and the work you want to put into your garden. Make selections based on your environment and each plant’s care requirements for the most beautiful gardening results.