Purple Flowers A-Z: 100+ Beautiful Blooms for Your Garden

Purple flowers bring depth, royalty, and mystique to any landscape—from formal borders to cottage gardens. Their shades range from pale lavender to deep violet, and their forms span delicate bells to bold spikes. Whether you're designing a monochromatic purple border or adding accent points, this comprehensive guide covers over 100 purple-flowered plants with key details to help you choose.

Purple Flower Encyclopedia (A–Z)

A

Aconitum (Monkshood, Wolfsbane) – Aconitum napellus; Perennial; Mid to late summer; Hooded deep purple-blue flowers; toxic.

Autumn Gentian (Felwort) – Gentianella amarella; Biennial; Mid summer to early fall; Small purple trumpets.

Alpine Betony – Stachys monieri 'Hummelo'; Perennial; Summer; Dense spikes of reddish-purple.

Agapanthus (African Lily, Lily of the Nile) – Agapanthus orientalis; Perennial; Mid summer to early fall; Large globes of blue-purple trumpets.

Anemone (Windflower) – Anemone nemorosa; Perennial; Early spring to autumn; Daisy-like blooms in purple, blue, white.

Adria Bellflower – Campanula portenschlagiana; Perennial; Mid spring to early summer; Trailing mats of violet bells.

B

Bee Orchid – Ophrys apifera; Perennial; Summer; Remarkable bee-mimicking flowers.

Bittersweet Nightshade – Solanum dulcamara; Perennial; Spring to fall; Star-shaped purple flowers with yellow centers; toxic berries.

Purple Basil – Ocimum basilicum purpurascens; Annual; Mid to late summer; Edible ornamental with lavender spikes.

Baptisia (False Indigo) – Baptisia australis; Perennial; Late spring to early summer; Lupine-like spires of deep indigo.

Butterfly Orchid – Habenaria psycodes; Annual; Summer to fall; Fringed pale purple flowers.

Bell Heather – Erica cinerea; Perennial; Early summer to early fall; Tiny purple bells on low evergreen shrubs.

Blue-eyed Grass – Sisyrinchium montanum; Perennial; Spring to fall; Small purple stars with yellow eyes; not a true grass.

Bachelor's Button (Cornflower) – Centaurea cyanus; Annual; Late spring to early fall; Classic blue-purple fringed blooms.

Blue Dick – Dichelostemma capitatum; Perennial; Spring; Clusters of purple tubular flowers.

Bush Lupine – Lupinus albifrons; Perennial; Spring to early summer; Silvery foliage with purple spikes.

Betony – Stachys officinalis; Perennial; June to September; Dense spikes of reddish-purple.

C

China Aster – Callistephus chinensis; Annual; Summer to early fall; Double pompons in deep purple.

Creeping Thistle – Cirsium arvense; Perennial; Mid summer to early fall; Spiny plants with purple flower heads.

Canterbury Bells – Campanula medium; Annual/Biennial; Late spring to mid summer; Large bell-shaped purple, pink, white.

Clustered Bellflower – Campanula glomerata; Perennial; Spring to fall; Dense heads of violet bells.

Carnation – Dianthus caryophyllus; Perennial; Summer to year-round; Fringed, clove-scented blooms in purple shades.

Checkered Lily (Snakehead Lily) – Fritillaria meleagris; Perennial; Late winter to mid spring; Nodding checkered purple bells.

Cattleya Orchid – Cattleya; Perennial; Spring and summer; Large, showy purple orchids.

Cirsium (Plum Thistle) – Cirsium japonicum; Perennial; Late spring to fall; Spiny with purple thistle heads.

Chives – Allium schoenoprasum; Perennial; Late spring to early summer; Edible purple pompons.

Calla Lily – Zantedeschia; Perennial; Early spring; Elegant purple-spathed varieties available.

Cosmos – Cosmos; Annual; Summer and fall; Daisy-like purple flowers on airy stems.

Common Knapweed – Centaurea nigra; Perennial; Summer to fall; Purple thistle-like heads.

Common Comfrey – Symphytum officinale; Perennial; Early summer to fall; Drooping purple bells; medicinal.

Common Mallow – Malva neglecta; Annual; Early summer to mid fall; Small purple-pink hibiscus-like flowers.

Cuckoo Flower (Lady's Smock) – Cardamine pratensis; Perennial; Early spring; Pale purple four-petaled flowers.

Common Butterwort – Pinguicula vulgaris; Perennial; Late spring to mid summer; Carnivorous with purple flowers.

Coneflower (Echinacea) – Echinacea purpurea; Perennial; Summer to fall; Bold purple petals with orange cones.

Walker's Low Catmint – Nepeta × faassenii; Perennial; Early summer; Lavender-blue spikes; aromatic foliage.

Candytuft – Iberis; Annual/Perennial; Spring to summer; Low mounds with purple-tinged white flowers.

Common Vetch – Vicia sativa; Annual; Mid spring to mid summer; Small purple pea flowers.

Corncockle – Agrostemma githago; Annual; Summer; Magenta-purple five-petaled flowers.

Spiderwort (Concord Grapes) – Tradescantia; Perennial; Late spring to early summer; Three-petaled purple flowers.

Clematis 'Jackmanii' – Clematis 'Jackmanii'; Perennial; Early summer to early fall; Large, velvety purple flowers.

Cyclamen – Cyclamen persicum; Perennial; Fall and winter; Upswept petals in purple, pink, white.

Crocus – Crocus vernus; Perennial; Winter and spring; Early purple cups; naturalizes well.

Columbine – Aquilegia; Perennial; Early to mid spring; Spurred purple and white flowers.

Chia – Salvia hispanica; Annual; Summer; Spikes of purple flowers; edible seeds.

D

Delphinium – Delphinium sp.; Perennial; Early summer to fall; Tall spires of intense blue-purple.

Dendrobium Orchid – Dendrobium; Perennial; Mid winter to early spring; Sprays of purple orchid blooms.

Devil's-bit Scabious – Succisa pratensis; Perennial; Mid summer to fall; Pincushion purple flower heads.

Dinner Plate Dahlia – Dahlia; Perennial; Mid summer to fall; Huge, decorative purple flowers.

Daylily – Hemerocallis; Perennial; Late spring to fall; Trumpet-shaped purple blooms; each lasts one day.

Daphne – Daphne odora; Perennial; Winter and spring; Fragrant purple-pink clusters.

F

Flowering Water Mint – Mentha aquatica; Perennial; Mid summer to fall; Whorls of tiny purple flowers; wet soil.

Fan Flower – Scaevola aemula; Annual; Mid summer to early fall; Fan-shaped purple blooms; heat-tolerant.

Fuchsia – Fuchsia magellanica; Annual/Perennial; Early summer to mid fall; Pendulous purple-red and pink flowers.

Foxglove – Digitalis purpurea; Perennial; Summer and spring; Tall spires of purple tubular flowers; toxic.

Fragrant Orchid – Gymnadenia conopsea; Annual/Perennial; Summer; Dense spikes of sweet-scented purple flowers.

G

Gladiolus – Gladiolus × hortulanus; Perennial; Early summer to mid fall; Tall spikes of purple funnel-shaped flowers.

Godetia (Farewell-to-spring) – Clarkia amoena; Annual; Summer; Cup-shaped purple-pink flowers.

Globe Artichoke – Cynara scolymus; Perennial; Mid fall; Large purple thistle heads; edible buds.

Ground Ivy – Glechoma hederacea; Perennial; Spring; Creeping with small purple flowers.

Globe Amaranth – Gomphrena globosa; Annual; Early summer to frost; Clover-like purple globes; everlasting.

Geraldton Waxflower – Chamelaucium uncinatum; Perennial; Winter; Small purple waxy flowers; cut flower favorite.

Garden Radish – Raphanus sativus; Annual/Biennial; Summer; Edible roots; purple flowers if left to bolt.

Geranium (Hardy Geranium, Cranesbill) – Geranium × oxonianum; Perennial; Summer and autumn; Five-petaled purple flowers.

H

Heliotrope – Heliotropium peruvianum; Annual/Perennial; Late spring to early fall; Vanilla-scented purple clusters.

Hottentot Fig – Carpobrotus edulis; Perennial; Late spring to early fall; Succulent with large purple daisy flowers.

Hosta – Hosta tardiflora; Perennial; Autumn; Lavender-purple bells on tall scapes; shade-loving.

Honesty – Lunaria annua; Annual/Biennial; Spring and early summer; Purple cross-shaped flowers; silvery seed pods.

Henbit Deadnettle – Lamium amplexicaule; Annual; Spring and summer; Whorls of purple flowers on square stems.

Hyacinth Bean Vine – Dolichos lablab; Annual; Summer to fall; Purple pea flowers; ornamental pods.

Heal-all (Self-heal) – Prunella vulgaris; Perennial; Spring and summer; Short spikes of purple hooded flowers.

I

Iris (German, Bearded) – Iris; Perennial; Summer; Iconic three-upright, three-falls purple flowers.

L

Lavender – Lavandula; Perennial; Mid spring to early summer; Fragrant purple spikes; herb and ornamental.

Lamium 'Ghost' – Lamium maculatum; Perennial; Early summer to mid fall; Silver leaves with purple flowers.

Liatris (Purple Torch, Blazing Star) – Liatris; Perennial; Mid summer to early fall; Vertical purple bottlebrush spikes.

Lesser Centaury – Centaurium pulchellum; Annual; Summer to autumn; Small purple starry flowers.

Lilac – Syringa; Shrub; Spring; Fragrant purple panicles; classic spring shrub.

Lupine – Lupinus; Perennial/Annual; Summer; Tall spires of purple pea flowers.

Limonium (Sea Lavender, Statice) – Limonium perezii; Perennial; Spring and summer; Papery purple calyces; great for drying.

Lisianthus – Eustoma grandiflorum; Annual; Summer; Rose-like purple flowers; long-lasting cut flowers.

Linaria (Toadflax) – Linaria purpurea; Perennial; Late spring to early fall; Snapdragon-like purple spikes.

Lobelia – Lobelia inflata; Annual/Perennial; Mid summer to fall; Intense blue-purple tubular flowers.

M

Michaelmas Daisy (Aster) – Aster; Perennial; Late summer to early fall; Daisy-like purple flowers; late-season color.

Matthiola (Stock) – Matthiola incana; Perennial; Summer and spring; Fragrant purple spikes; cool-season annual.

Meadow Saffron (Autumn Crocus) – Colchicum autumnale; Perennial; Autumn; Large purple crocus-like flowers; toxic.

Morning Glory – Ipomoea purpurea; Annual/Perennial; Summer and fall; Trumpet-shaped purple flowers; vine.

Million Bells (Calibrachoa) – Calibrachoa; Annual; Late spring to mid fall; Petunia-like purple flowers; cascading.

Mystic Merlin (Musk Mallow) – Malva sylvestris; Perennial; Early summer to early fall; Hollyhock-like purple flowers.

Mint (Spearmint) – Mentha spicata; Perennial; Summer; Whorls of tiny purple flowers; aromatic.

Musk Thistle – Carduus nutans; Biennial; Spring; Large purple thistle heads; invasive in some areas.

Marsh Woundwort – Stachys palustris; Perennial; Summer; Whorls of purple hooded flowers; wet areas.

Meadow Clary – Salvia pratensis; Perennial; Summer to fall; Blue-purple spikes; meadow plant.

N

New England Aster – Symphyotrichum novae-angliae; Perennial; Late summer to early fall; Profuse purple daisies; pollinator magnet.

O

Owl's Clover – Escobita; Annual; Spring; Purple bracts with small flowers; native annual.

Orchids (Early-purple Orchid) – Orchis mascula; Perennial; Summer and spring; Terrestrial orchids with purple spikes.

P

Penstemon (Beardtongue) – Penstemon; Perennial; Spring and summer; Tubular purple flowers; drought-tolerant.

Purple Sensation (Flowering Onion) – Allium aflatunense; Perennial; Mid spring to early summer; Large purple globes; ornamental onion.

Purple Pansy – Viola × wittrockiana; Annual; Early spring to autumn; Velvety purple faces; cool-season favorite.

Purple Primrose – Primula vulgaris; Perennial; Early spring to summer; Pale purple yellow-eyed flowers.

Purple Monte Casino (Heath Aster) – Aster ericoides; Perennial; Late summer to fall; Sprays of tiny purple daisies.

Purple Lotus – Nelumbo nucifera; Aquatic Perennial; Summer; Sacred purple lotus; water garden.

Pride of Madeira – Echium candicans; Biennial; Late spring to mid summer; Towering purple cones; spectacular.

Purple Mum (Garden Chrysanthemum) – Chrysanthemum morifolium; Perennial; Spring, autumn, late summer; Cushion of purple daisies.

Purple Kale (Flowering Cabbage) – Brassica oleracea; Annual; Winter to spring; Rosettes of purple leaves; ornamental.

Pig Squeak (Bergenia) – Bergenia cordifolia; Perennial; Late winter to spring; Pink-purple clusters; leathery leaves.

Purple Smoke Indigo – Baptisia 'Purple Smoke'; Perennial; Early spring to late summer; Smoky purple spikes.

Pasque Flower – Pulsatilla; Perennial; Early spring; Silky purple bells; feathery seed heads.

Purple Bee Balm – Monarda fistulosa; Perennial; Mid to late summer; Shaggy purple heads; pollinator favorite.

Physostegia (Obedient Plant) – Physostegia virginiana; Perennial; Mid summer to fall; Snapdragon-like purple spikes; flowers stay positioned.

Pennyroyal – Mentha pulegium; Annual/Perennial; Mid to late summer; Whorls of tiny purple flowers; minty.

Protea (King Protea) – Protea cynaroides; Perennial; Late spring to mid summer; Huge exotic purple-pink heads.

Phlox 'Miracle Grace' – Phlox paniculata; Perennial; Mid to late summer; Fragrant purple clusters; mildew-resistant.

Creeping Phlox – Phlox stolonifera; Annual/Perennial; Spring to summer; Mat-forming with purple flowers.

Purple Hydrangea – Hydrangea macrophylla (purple cultivars); Perennial; Summer and fall; Large mophead or lacecap purple blooms; soil pH affects color.

Purple Hyacinth Bean – Lablab purpureus; Perennial; Early to mid spring; Purple pea flowers; ornamental pods.

Purple Tulips – Tulipa; Perennial; Spring; Classic cup-shaped purple tulips; many shades.

Purple Loosestrife – Lythrum salicaria; Perennial; Summer; Tall spikes of purple flowers; invasive in wetlands.

Purple Roses – Rosa; Perennial; Spring and summer; Many purple/lavender rose cultivars.

Pineapple Lily – Eucomis; Perennial; Summer; Pineapple-like spike of purple-green flowers.

Petunias – Petunia × hybrida; Annual; Early spring to early fall; Trumpet-shaped purple; continuous bloom.

R

Rosebay Willowherb (Fireweed) – Chamerion angustifolium; Perennial; Summer; Tall spikes of purple-pink flowers; pioneer species.

Ranunculus (Persian Buttercup) – Ranunculus; Perennial; Spring to early summer; Multi-petaled purple roses; cool-season.

Rhododendron (Purple) – Rhododendron catawbiense; Evergreen; Spring and summer; Large purple trusses; acid soil.

Rhodochiton (Purple Bell Vine) – Rhodochiton atrosanguineum; Perennial/Annual; Mid summer to early fall; Pendulous purple-black bells; vine.

Rose of Sharon – Hibiscus syriacus; Perennial; Summer; Purple hibiscus flowers; upright shrub.

S

Sweet Violet – Viola odorata; Perennial; Late winter to early summer; Fragrant purple flowers; edible.

Scabious (Pincushion Flower) – Scabiosa; Perennial; Mid summer to early fall; Pincushion purple heads; long bloom.

Sea Pea – Lathyrus japonicus; Perennial; Summer; Purple pea flowers; coastal.

Sea Holly – Eryngium; Perennial; Summer to fall; Spiky metallic purple cones; architectural.

Stokesia – Stokesia laevis; Perennial; Summer and fall; Fringed purple daisies; long-blooming.

Saffron Crocus – Crocus sativus; Perennial; Autumn; Purple flowers with red stigmas; source of saffron.

Sweet Pea – Lathyrus odoratus; Annual/Perennial; Summer and early autumn; Fragrant purple flowers; vine.

Sea Aster – Aster tripolium; Perennial; Summer to early fall; Purple daisies; salt-tolerant.

T

Thyme – Thymus vulgaris; Perennial; Spring; Tiny purple flowers; culinary herb.

Tufted Vetch – Vicia cracca; Perennial; Summer; Purple pea flowers; climbing.

V

Vanda Orchid (Blue Vanda) – Vanda coerulea; Perennial; Spring and fall; Stunning blue-purple orchids; epiphytic.

Violet Gloxinia – Sinningia speciosa; Perennial; Late spring to early fall; Velvety purple bells; houseplant.

Verbena – Verbena bonariensis; Perennial; Spring to fall; Tall airy purple clusters; butterfly magnet.

W

Wisteria – Wisteria sinensis; Perennial; Spring; Cascading purple racemes; vigorous vine.

Wintry Sky Iris – Iris 'Wintry Sky'; Perennial; Early to mid season; Pale blue-purple bearded iris.

Wild Garlic – Allium canadense; Perennial; Summer; White to pale purple umbels; edible.

Western Shooting Star – Dodecatheon pulchellum; Perennial; Spring to summer; Reflexed purple petals; native wildflower.

Western Marsh Orchid – Dactylorhiza majalis; Perennial; Late spring to summer; Purple spikes; wet meadows.

Wild Hydrangea – Hydrangea arborescens; Perennial; Late spring to fall; White to pinkish-purple lacecaps; native.

Welted Thistle – Carduus crispus; Annual; Summer to autumn; Spiny purple thistle heads.

Z

Zinnia – Zinnia elegans; Annual/Perennial; Summer through fall; Bold purple daisies; heat-loving.

With this extensive palette of purple blooms—spanning seasons, heights, and growing conditions—you can design a garden that celebrates this regal color from early spring to late fall. Mix perennials for permanence with annuals for quick color, and don't forget bulbs for early surprises. Happy planting!