Whenever I’m planning a garden, no matter what mood I’m trying to create, I always include some plants with purple blooms.Purple seems to symbolize so many things that I find it the most versatile color of all. Let’s say I’m shooting for sophistication: Rich, dark plum and mulberry shades give me that feeling of refinement and luxury. Maybe I’m in the mood to plant a romantic garden: Light lavenders and mauves lend a flirty air. And when it comes to pure fun, any jaunty mix in the lilac-violet-amethyst family adds instant whimsy. Are you starting to feel inspired? Let’s get some purple on with this month’s Top 10.
Verbena, zones 9 to 11, annual elsewhere
You can expect summer-long color from these beautiful blooms. These full-sun plants sport attractive clusters of flowers and grow to about 18 inches high. Keep the soil moist but well drained; dry conditions can hinder flowering.
Top picks: Both V. bonariensis and the Imagination cultivar blossom in joyous shades that run between magenta and violet.
Lavandula, Zones 5 to 10
Lavender’s not just beautiful; its powerful scent does wonders to alleviate stress. The silvery-gray plant grows from 1 to 4 feet tall in full sun and boasts graceful spires of tiny flowers.
Top picks: For particularly showy purple blooms, choose Hidcote Superior, Sarah or Munstead.
Clematis spp., Zones 3 to 9
You say “CLEM-uh-tiss,” I say “cluh-MAT-iss”: However you pronounce it, this is one dazzling plant. Some grow up to 30 feet tall, it provides more flowers in less space than almost anything you’ll find. Plant in a sunny, sheltered spot and watch it thrive.
Top picks: The classic Jackmanii springs to mind instantly, but Arabella is all that plus multitones of blue and mauve.
Campanula spp., Zones 3 to 9
In addition to perennials, the bellflower family includes annuals and biennials, all with graceful blossoms lasting from late spring into summer. Although it also enjoys full sun, planting in partial shade preserves its delicate colors. Keep bellflowers happy by watering regularly.
Top picks: Try Birch Hybrid or Bavarian Blue for charming storybook shades.
Iris reticulata, Zones 4 to 9
This fragrant, petite early bloomer grows from just 2 to 12 inches high. The vibrant flowers, which do best in full sun, emerge in late winter to early spring.
Top picks: The dark, rich petals of J.S. Dijit unfurl to offer spring a royal welcome.
Platycodon, Zones 3 to 9Before opening into five-pointed blooms, the hollow buds look like tiny balloons. Balloon flower does best in full sun or partial shade and thrives in moist, well-draining soil.
Top picks: Astra blue and Fuji blue varieties display charming pale blue-violet blooms.
Nepeta, Zones 3 to 8
Easy to grow, catmint provides silvery-green or gray foliage and a long season of blooms. The flower spikes reach about 2 feet tall and enjoy full sun. Many hybrid catmints are sterile, so they don’t seed. Divide plants in spring or take cuttings in summer.
Top picks: For fun, the classic cultivar Nepeta x faassenii can’t be beat. For an alpine ambience, give N. sibirica a shot.
Salvia spp., Zones 4 to 9, Annual Elsewhere
Count on this attention getter for color all season in any landscape. Its 8- to 30-inch-tall plumes teem with tubular flowers. Though it’s generally partial to full sun, this resilient plant will thrive in partial shade during hot summers.
Top picks: The Evolution and May Night cultivars offer intense, dramatic purple hues.
Allium spp., Zones 3 to 9
If you want to add brightness and bounce, there’s no better bloomer than allium. This pretty perennial is a winning selection for most backyards. Not only can you find an allium to suit almost any spot, it’s easy to grow, and you can find different types that will bloom from late spring to fall.
Top picks: Try A. aflatunense for a sassy taste of purplish pink or Globemaster if you prefer a saucy hint of bluish purple.
Pulsatilla, Zones 4 to 8
An early-spring bloomer, pasque flower adds texture to any garden. While it’s not a go-to perennial for most gardeners, this sun-loving, drought-tolerant, fuss-free flower certainly deserves top honors on our list.
Top picks: P. vulgaris offers an enchanting mauve, while the silvery overtones of P. halleri add an icy, textured charm.
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Garry kerr says
Light lavenders and mauves lend a flirty air. And when it comes to pure fun and its like a charm.
Richard Holsworth says
How about the top ten pretty flowers that the deer won’t eat???
suzanne says
Rosemary has tiny blue to light lavender flowers and the deer won’t eat it. At least they haven’t eaten ours.
Lynn Biasini says
Ditto here in NC Deer do NOT like rosemary or lantana. Too strong and chewy??? lol
Linda says
Lavender, catmint, salvia and allium are “usually” left alone by deer. I would add Russian sage, Baptisia australis, ageratum, blue mist shrub, Echinops ritro, and Agastache Blue Fortune to my list of top 10 deer resistant purple plants.
Jo says
Russian sage is so invasive in CO. Do not plant it.
Sylvia says
Also invasive in northeast TN. It pops up all over between the other flowers and a pain to get it out. I might just remove it all and plant it in the woods in the fall instead of in my flower bed.
Betty Anne says
Hunting season helps also.
PAL says
ha ha ha ha
Arlene Matteson says
I have good luck with Salvia and globe thistle. The deer bother other plants but seem to leave these alone.
Debbie West says
We have clematis in eastern Arkansas, but the whiteflies attack it hard! I spray the leaves often & get a good showing in spring and another in fall. We have a friend who lives 3 miles away, however..surrounded by wheat & rice fields. She has no whiteflies & her clematis are beautiful! They’re worth the extra care if you’re able to do so. My husband built an iron circle for one clematis to grow on. He built an iron heart for the other. Very beautiful ornamentation for this flowering vine!
Garden Flowers London says
Every flower in my garden and their colourful blooms mean something to me. My favourite colour is purple and I have a lot of plants with purple blooms. Some of yours catch my attention and I have to have them. Thank you, they are marvellous!
Lynn Biasini says
The flower is not the most impressive part, but Tradescantia pallida is a beautiful purple plant (“wandering jew”) with small purple and white flowers. It is stunning as a border for a lawn or bed. LOVES SUN. Probably Zone 7B or higher (we have it here near Charlotte NC)
Marta says
Love this plant.. Grows easily and will spread on its own in north FL and south GA. However, not invasive IMHO. Lovely in a hanging basket too.
suzanne says
I have a hard time with this one in just a pot. Too hot to plant in S.AZ outside. seems like the leaves are droopy all the time
Rose says
We’ve had pretty good luck with lavender vs deer, the darling things. I keep telling them to go back down to the river bottoms to eat the nice corn and beans that the farmer down there planted just for them, but no such luck so far.
Teri Peterson says
Rozanne geranium is my favorite purple flower, blooming from June to frost
Garden Flowers London says
Every flower in my garden and their colourful blooms mean something to me. My favourite colour is purple and I have a lot of plants with purple blooms. Some of yours catch my attention and I have to have them. Thank you, they are marvelous!
Edward Tobin says
Just this year we got a plant called purple showers. It’s so cool , blooms continuously throughout the Summer…blooms seem to just magically appear. Gonna get more next year.
Sarah says
Regarding deer, we just got this motion activated sprinkler on Amazon: Orbit 62100 Yard Enforcer Motion Activated Sprinkler https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009F1R0GC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_rG74N5rJqurSi
We got it to deter our dogs from certain areas in our back yard, but I think it would work to scare off deer as well. Our dogs applied for that job too but then they don’t come back!
sandy foster says
do you cut the dead blooms of or leave them?
Terri says
Purple vine beauty? Try ‘Amethyst Fall’s Sister is. Miniature version of wild with awesome wood!