Purple flowers bring a touch of elegance and charm to any garden. Landscapers love these stunning plants for their vibrant hues and versatile applications. Whether you want to create a focal point or complement existing greenery, these 15 purple flowering plants are perfect for next spring’s landscape design. Purple blooms also symbolize creativity and calmness, making them a thoughtful addition to outdoor spaces. By incorporating these plants, you can create a garden that’s not only visually striking but also soothing and inviting.
1. Lavender
Lavender is a timeless favorite among landscapers. With its fragrant blooms and low-maintenance care, it thrives in sunny spots and well-drained soil. The deep purple flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, making it an excellent choice for eco-friendly gardens. Lavender’s versatility extends to borders, pathways, or as a standalone feature. Additionally, it’s a drought-tolerant plant, making it ideal for areas with water restrictions. Its soothing fragrance is also perfect for creating relaxing outdoor spaces.
2. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea)
Known for its daisy-like petals, the purple coneflower is hardy and easy to grow. It’s a magnet for birds and butterflies, offering a wildlife-friendly touch to gardens. The flowers bloom from mid-summer to fall, providing months of vibrant color. They’re also drought-tolerant, making them ideal for low-water landscapes. These perennials are beautiful and medicinal, with their roots often used in herbal remedies. Purple coneflowers are a resilient and versatile option for any garden design.
3. Wisteria
This climbing vine creates a dramatic statement with its cascading purple flowers. Perfect for pergolas, fences, or walls, wisteria adds a romantic touch to any outdoor space. Though it requires some initial training and pruning, its stunning blooms are worth the effort. Choose a sunny spot to let it flourish. Once established, wisteria can grow rapidly, transforming structures into living works of art. Its fragrant flowers are also a favorite for attracting bees and other pollinators.
4. Lilac
Lilacs are cherished for their enchanting fragrance and lush flower clusters. These shrubs bloom in late spring, offering a splash of purple alongside their rich scent. They thrive in well-drained soil and full sun, making them a landscaper’s go-to for hedges or standalone features. Lilacs also pair well with white or pink blooms for a soft, romantic look. With their long lifespan, these shrubs can become a cherished part of your garden for generations to enjoy.
5. Salvia
Salvia’s spiky purple blooms bring vertical interest to gardens. These hardy perennials are drought-tolerant and thrive in sunny areas. Landscapers use them to attract hummingbirds and bees, adding lively movement to outdoor spaces. Salvia is great for borders, mixed beds, or container gardens. Additionally, its aromatic foliage helps deter pests, making it a practical choice for maintaining healthy garden ecosystems.
6. Clematis
Clematis vines boast large, showy flowers in various shades of purple. Ideal for trellises, arbors, or fences, they add height and beauty to landscapes. With proper care and support, clematis blooms throughout the growing season. Pair them with roses or other climbing plants for a stunning combination. Clematis also adapts well to containers, allowing you to enjoy its beauty in smaller garden spaces or patios.
7. Allium
Allium’s globe-shaped blooms stand out in any garden. These ornamental onions feature tall stems topped with clusters of purple flowers. They’re deer-resistant and attract pollinators, making them a practical yet beautiful choice. Plant allium bulbs in the fall for a spring display of whimsical blooms. Their unique shape adds architectural interest, blending beautifully with other perennials and grasses.
8. Hyacinth
Hyacinths are known for their sweet fragrance and dense flower spikes. Their deep purple hues add a rich contrast to spring gardens. These bulbs are easy to plant and thrive in full sun to partial shade. Landscapers often use hyacinths in containers, borders, or as part of mass plantings for dramatic impact. Their early blooms make them one of the first signs of spring, brightening gardens after a long winter.
9. Verbena
Verbena’s delicate clusters of purple flowers bloom all summer long. These versatile plants work well in hanging baskets, containers, or ground covers. Verbena thrives in sunny locations and tolerates heat, making it a landscaper’s favorite for warm climates. Its continuous blooms ensure long-lasting color in your garden. Additionally, verbena is a low-maintenance option, requiring minimal deadheading to stay vibrant.
10. Petunias
Purple petunias bring a burst of vibrant color to flower beds and containers. Their trailing habit makes them perfect for hanging baskets and window boxes. Petunias thrive in full sun and require regular watering for optimal growth. Their prolific blooms make them a show-stopping addition to any landscape. Landscapers love their versatility, as petunias can adapt to formal and casual garden styles.
11. Foxglove
Foxgloves add a cottage-garden charm with their tall spires of bell-shaped purple flowers. These biennials prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Landscapers love using foxgloves for their vertical interest and ability to create a whimsical, fairytale-like ambiance. Their blooms are also a favorite for pollinators, especially bees, making them an eco-friendly garden choice.
12. Iris
Iris flowers are renowned for their intricate beauty and wide range of purple shades. They’re easy to grow and thrive in sunny spots with well-drained soil. Plant them along walkways, ponds, or borders for a striking effect. Irises bloom in late spring to early summer, offering elegance to any garden. Their sword-like foliage adds texture even when the flowers are not in bloom.
13. Catmint (Nepeta)
Catmint’s lavender-purple flowers and aromatic foliage make it a favorite for borders and edging. This hardy perennial attracts bees and butterflies while deterring pests like deer and rabbits. Catmint is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, ideal for gardens with minimal upkeep needs. Its soft, mounding growth habit makes it perfect for creating a relaxed and inviting garden atmosphere.
14. Morning Glory
Morning glories are fast-growing climbers with trumpet-shaped purple blooms. They add a cheerful touch to gardens and are perfect for trellises, fences, or arbors. These vines thrive in full sun and bloom throughout the summer, providing continuous bursts of color. They’re an excellent choice for softening vertical structures. Morning glories are also loved for their ability to self-seed, ensuring their presence year after year.
15. Bellflower (Campanula)
Bellflowers offer dainty purple blooms that flourish in sunny to partially shaded areas. They’re perfect for rock gardens, borders, or ground covers. With their long blooming period, bellflowers provide consistent color throughout the growing season. Landscapers value their versatility and ability to fill gaps in flower beds. Their charming, bell-shaped flowers are sure to delight garden visitors.
A Spring Palette of Purple
Purple flowering plants bring vibrancy, elegance, and versatility to any landscape. From low-maintenance perennials to dramatic climbers, these 15 plants offer endless possibilities for creating stunning gardens. Whether you’re a professional landscaper or a home gardener, incorporating these plants will make next spring’s garden unforgettable. Choosing plants that thrive in different conditions and seasons ensures year-round beauty and harmony in your outdoor space.