35 Pretty Purple Flowers To Plant In Your Garden

Delphiniums

• Botanical Name: Delphinium spp.
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.5-7.5

Been dreaming of a country cottage garden? These towering columns of bright purple blooms will definitely do the trick. Delphinium blooms (also called larkspur) attract butterflies and bees and add height as they grow from 1 to 6 feet tall or more in gardens. Hybrids should be treated like annuals as they don't like long, hot, humid summers, while less-spectacular-looking native species are reliable perennials, according to The New Southern Living Garden Book.

Hyacinths

• Botanical Name: Hyacinthus orientalis
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.0-7.0

Hyacinths are bulbs that can be planted from October to December for flowering in the spring months (usually March and April). These perennials produce spikes of fragrant, bell-shaped flowers and make quite the addition to any Southern garden, as long as they get adequate exposure to cold temperatures in winter. Grow them in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4-8 or pre-chill the bulbs in the refrigerator for three months.

Sweet Peas

• Botanical Name: Lathyrus odoratus
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Well-drained
• Soil pH: 7.0-8.0

Another cottage garden essential, sweet peas bear delicate, brightly colored blooms atop tall, tangled stems. They're a cinch to plant, and with a little attention, will thrive in your garden. They come in a bush or vining form and do best with rich soil, regular water, and full sun. They suffer in hot weather, so plant them in the fall in mild climates or just after the last frost in cooler ones.

Fan Flowers

• Botanical Name: Scaevola aemula
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.0-7.0

Say hello to your new favorite outdoor container filler. Scaevolas, or fan flowers, are often sold already planted in hanging baskets, and we'd recommend adding another hue or two of blooms to keep things interesting. This Australian-native plant likes full sun and doesn't mind summer heat in the least. Grow it as an annual outside of Zones 10 and 11.

Summer Phlox

• Botanical Name: Phlox paniculata
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.0-7.0

Want to bring all of the butterflies and hummingbirds to the yard? Summer phlox can help. The lush sweep of color is just a bonus, really. It's a sun-loving, hardy perennial. They can be susceptible to mildew at the end of blooming season, so provide good air circulation and plant mildew-resistant selections. Plant in Zones 4-8.

Anemones

• Botanical Name: Anemone spp.
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.0-7.0

Prepare to be charmed by pretty anemones, which come in all shapes and sizes. They look especially striking when planted in masses in a border and make popular cut flowers. Anemones, also called windflowers, are perennials that bloom from early spring to fall, depending on which species you grow. Plant purple poppy anemones in fall for early spring flowers or wait until after the last frost of spring if you live in Zone 6 or cooler.

Clematis

• Botanical Name: Clematis hybrida
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: Neutral

We'd let this pretty, perennial clematis 'Jackmanii' creep up our mailbox or porch column any day. Use the climbing vine to add color to higher areas of your garden. Expect a spectacular floral display in late spring or early summer (depending on where you live) and then off-and-on blooms through the summer. Keep clematis moist and well-fed with a monthly liquid fertilizer during the growing season for healthy growth.

American Wisteria

• Botanical Name: Wisteria frutescens
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.0-7.0

Wisteria is a looker, that's for sure, but even the most seasoned of gardeners will get frustrated with the varieties that spread like wildfire, such as Japanese wisteria. Annual pruning will keep native wisteria varieties like Kentucky wisteria in check, while American wisteria grows even slower. American wisteria can be planted in Zones 5-9.

"For best flowering, plant either vine in full sun in moderately fertile, well-drained soil," says the Grumpy Gardener. The vines should bloom by the second or third year of planting and become drought tolerant once established, he says.

Little Girl Magnolias

• Botanical Name: Magnolia liliiflora × Magnolia stellata 
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Moist, loamy
• Soil pH: 6.0-7.0

Give this later-blooming, compact magnolia tree a try—you won't be disappointed. While your spring-blooming magnolia might be tricked into early blooming by mild late-winter weather, this tree sees right through it.

Little Girl magnolias have names like 'Jane,' 'Betty,' 'Pinkie,' and 'Susan' and bear reddish-purple or pink-purple blooms. They like full to part sun and loamy, moist soil, and they will grow slowly into a dense, multi-trunked tree generally around 12 to 15 feet tall and wide.

Princess Flowers

• Botanical Name: Tibouchina urvilleana
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: 5.0-6.5

Every Southerner will love this heat-tolerant plant. As the temps grow higher, these blooms won't faint from the heat. Princess flower is a Brazilian native shrub that prefers rich, well-drained, slightly acid soil, and a thick layer of mulch to help keep the roots cool, according to The New Southern Living Garden Book. In Zones 9-11, it can grow at least 8 feet tall and be pruned into tree form. In Zone 8, it will die back to the ground in winter but may return in spring.

Bee Balm

• Botanical Name: Monarda fistulosa
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.0-7.5

As the name suggests, these fragrant wildflowers will attract bees and other pollinators to the garden. Also known as wild bergamot, M. fistulosa is a cousin of the scarlet bee balms like 'Jacob Cline.' Give this sun-loving plant plenty of light and moist, rich soil (this tough plant can also tolerate clay and occasional dryness). While bee balm is deer-resistant, it is susceptible to powdery mildew, so look for disease-resistant varieties to plant in your garden.

Petunias

• Botanical Name: Petunia x hybrida
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.0-7.0

Trumpet-shaped garden petunias come in a wide range of colors. Add purple blooms to your flower beds, borders, or containers to attract hummingbirds. Deadhead these annuals regularly for fragrant flowers all season long. Give them plenty of light and well-draining soil. They can tolerate nearly any kind of soil as long as it has good drainage.

Butterfly Bush

• Botanical Name: Buddleja davidii
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Type: Well-drained
• Soil pH: 5.5-8.5

This sun-loving shrub comes in various shades of purple, attracting not only butterflies but also bees and hummingbirds. Because butterfly bushes are invasive in some areas, look for seedless or non-invasive varieties. Many cultivars are dwarf varieties that make them perfect for smaller yards and flower beds. Others can be pruned back in late winter so they will produce more flowers.

Beardtongue

• Botanical Name: Penstemon spp.
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Type: Sandy, well-drained
• Soil pH: Acidic, neutral

Tall purple spikes of beardtongue add height to a flower bed, walkway, or container garden. These bell-shaped flowers reach 3 feet tall or more. Create a wildflower or rock garden, or use them on their own for privacy around the patio. Attractive to pollinators, beardtongue will draw many visitors to your garden all summer long.

Allium

• Botanical Name: Allium spp.
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Type: Well-drained, sandy loam
• Soil pH: 5.5-6.5

Choose these purple pom-pom flowers to make a statement in your late-spring garden. Allium come in a range of sizes and colors, some bearing massive globe-shaped heads that stand tall above other flowers in your garden. While these ornamental onions aren’t edible, their stems do give off a mild onion scent when crushed. Give them lots of sun for the best growing conditions.

Catmint

• Botanical Name: Nepeta spp.
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Sandy, loamy, clay, well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.0-8.0

This perennial herb belongs to the mint family and spreads as it grows. Plant catmint in any well-drained soil along a path or as a border. Delicate purple flowers bloom all summer long. Catmint is resistant to deer and other pests. This easy-growing plant is a favorite among gardeners for its toughness and minty aroma.

Lavender

• Botanical Name: Lavandula spp.
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Type: Well-drained, sandy
• Soil pH: 6.5-7.5

Give this fragrant perennial herb plenty of sunlight. Lavender plants don’t like excessive moisture, so add sand to the soil before planting to improve drainage. The compact, bushy plants work well in raised flower beds or containers. Prune them in spring so they don't get too large and woody. Lavender plants typically decline after 10 years, so plant new ones accordingly.

Chaste Tree

• Botanical Name: Vitex agnus-castus
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Type: Well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.0-7.0

Native to southern Europe and central Asia, the chaste tree is a quick-growing, summer-blooming beauty that is hardy in Zones 7 and warmer. It can die back to the ground in a cold winter, but quickly regenerates as a multi-branched shrub the following spring. Chaste tree is wide-spreading but can be pruned into tree form. 'Shoal Creek' has show-stopping purple blooms and 'Purpurea' bears delicate lilac flowers.

Asters

• Botanical Name: Aster spp.
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Organically rich, loamy, clay
• Soil pH: 5.0-8.0, varies by species

There are more than 250 types of asters in the world, so naturally there is one that will fit into almost any environment—moist or dry soil, blazing sun or dappled shade. Most do well in well-drained but moist, organically rich soils. Many asters flower in vibrant shades of purple with yellow centers, though you can find a wide range of colors. Asters usually bloom in summer or fall, adding a bright punch of color at the end of the season.

Purple Coneflowers

• Botanical Name: Echinacea purpurea
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Organically rich, well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.0-7.0

Plant a patch of purple coneflowers and the butterflies will come your way. The pinkish-purple blooms appear from summer into fall, shooting up to about 3 feet tall. Coneflowers have the ability to tough it out in many soils and can reseed and spread in your garden. That's one good reason to leave the dried-out flower stalks in place in fall; another reason is that many birds, especially goldfinches, enjoy snacking on the seeds.

Irises

• Botanical Name: Iris spp.
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Organically rich, well-drained but moist
• Soil pH: 5.5-6.5

We love them all, from the towering blooms of bearded Iris (I. germanica) down to the diminutive ground covers like crested Iris (I. cristata). Irises can be found in nearly black, royal purple, deep plum, bright magenta, and soft lavenders and blues. Many irises prefer moist, rich soil, in which they are shallowly planted. Some must have full sun to bloom well, while others like crested iris can take a bit of shade. Divide your patch of irises every five years or so when it gets overcrowded.

Cranesbill Geraniums

• Botanical Name: Geranium spp.
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Well-drained, average garden soil
• Soil pH: 6.0-7.5

Hardy or cranesbill geraniums make a pretty patch of purple at the front of borders, in rock gardens, or along pathways. Best of all, they are low-maintenance plants that can bloom from early summer to fall with little fuss (shearing after the first bloom can help the plants produce more flowers). Cranesbills can be grown in Zones 4 to 8 or 9, depending on the variety.

Crocuses

• Botanical Name: Crocus spp.
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.0-7.0

Sprinkle crocus bulbs through the lawn, under deciduous trees, and in flower beds for a bright pop of purple. These winter-hardy bulbs will grow in Zones 4-9 and look best when planted in drifts to make a bigger impact. Crocuses are often the first flowers to peep out in late winter or early spring.

Verbena

• Botanical Name: Verbena spp.
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Type: Well-drained
• Soil pH: 5.8-7.2

Whether you choose a short or a tall verbena, these excellent pollinator plants make a stunning statement in a sunny garden. The heat-loving Verbena genus can be perennial in Zones 7-11, and includes trailing, upright, moss, and annual types. Plant them all—from carpets of lush foliage punctuated by velvety blooms to tall, wispy wands capped with lavender flowers—and enjoy the show from late spring to fall. 

False Indigo

• Botanical Name: Baptisia spp.
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Well-drained, loamy
• Soil pH: 5.8-7.2

This nearly trouble-free native sends up spikes of pea-like flowers in spring or summer with hardly any effort on your part. Baptisia can grow in dry or moist soils, don't require fertilizer, and are rarely troubled by deer or pests. The only downside is that their taproot makes them difficult to move after they've settled into the garden. Most species can be grown in Zones 4 to 9.

Bellflowers

• Botanical Name: Campanula spp.
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Well-drained, average garden soil
• Soil pH: 6.0-8.0

Bellflowers grow in a gorgeous range of blues and purples, which you can set off with a few white varieties in your cottage garden for good measure. Deadhead the plants to encourage continuous blooming until autumn. Some bellflower species can be grown in Zones 9 or 10, while others don't like heat, so check the tags carefully. Most bellflowers need protection from the afternoon sun in a hot climate.

Blazing Star

• Botanical Name: Liatris spp.
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Varies by species
• Soil pH: 5.5-7.0

Every garden deserves a patch of these spiky pollinator plants that light up our meadows and prairies in summer. The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds when in bloom; the foliage looks much like a clump of grass the rest of the year. Many types of blazing star grow well in poor, dry soils. The widely available L. spicata likes well-drained soil but can handle more moisture and even grow in rain gardens.

Million Bells

• Botanical Name: Calibrachoa x hybrida
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Type: Loamy, organically rich, well-drained but moist
• Soil pH: 5.0-6.5

Million bells resemble mini, trailing petunias—ones that can handle scorching heat and don't need deadheading to produce a massive flush of blooms. Plant them in your mixed containers, in hanging baskets, or along walkways, where they will bloom all summer long and keep going until the first frost. Million bells come in purple and every other color of the rainbow.

Wishbone Flower

• Botanical Name: Torenia fournieri
• Sun Exposure: Partial, full shade
• Soil Type: Organically rich, well-drained but moist
• Soil pH: 5.5-6.5

Shady spots deserve purple too, and wishbone flower is here to answer the call. Plant in rich, evenly moist soil and mulch around the roots. Wishbone flower makes a beautiful flower border in summer and can also be grown in hanging baskets and containers.

Jacaranda

• Botanical Name: Jacaranda mimosifolia
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Type: Sandy loam
• Soil pH: 6.0-7.0

This semi-evergreen tree from South America is suitable for planting in frost-free areas like southern Florida and Texas. Masses of purple blooms appear in late spring or summer, while ferny leaves provide dappled shade the rest of the year. Jacaranda trees can be messy, so you may not want to plant it near your swimming pool or driveway. This is a fast-growing tree that reaches 40 feet or more.

Mona Lavender

• Botanical Name: Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender'
• Sun Exposure: Partial
• Soil Type: Organically rich, well-drained but moist
• Soil pH: 5.5-6.5

Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender' is a hybrid spur flower that blooms in fall. The undersides of the leaves have a deep burgundy color. Give it morning sun and moist, rich soil. Pinch back flowers or stems to keep the plant in a rounded shape and to prolong blooming. 'Mona Lavender' is evergreen in Zones 10 and 11 and can be brought indoors in winter in cooler climates.

Salvia

• Botanical Name: Salvia spp.
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Type: Well-drained, organically rich
• Soil pH: 5.5-6.5

The tubular flowers of ornamental sages are a true butterfly magnet in the garden. Most salvias like sun and heat and are drought-tolerant once established. As members of the mint family, many have a slightly medicinal scent when you brush up against the leaves. Salvias have a long bloom season, lasting until the first frost in fall.

Agapanthus

• Botanical Name: Agapanthus spp.
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Type: Sandy loam, well-drained
• Soil pH: Varies

Also called Lily of the Nile, agapanthus actually originates from southern Africa and is evergreen in Zones 8 to 11. These plants also aren't lilies as once thought, though they do have fleshy tubers much like day lilies do. Agapanthus looks very striking in a container on a sunny patio in summer. A. africanus prefers acidic soil, but other species are more tolerant.

Passionflower

• Botanical Name: Passiflora spp.
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Organically rich, well-drained but moist
• Soil pH: Varies by species

The alien-like passionflower will certainly lead to conversations in the garden. This perennial vine can grow 10 to 40 feet long and produces showy flowers from summer to early fall. The green fruits gradually ripen to yellow and orange and have a pulpy center that can be used in cocktails, smoothies, and desserts. Some species are very frost-tender, while others can be grown in Zones 6 through 10 and remain evergreen in warmer climates. Passionflower can produce better-tasting fruit when grown in acidic soil. Maypop, or P. incarnata, is native to the Southeast.

Pansies

• Botanical Name: Viola spp.
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Organically rich, well-drained but moist, loamy
• Soil pH: 5.4-6.0

In the mild South, we're lucky that we can plant purple in our gardens year-round. Add pansies during the cooler months for a touch of drama in containers or flower beds. They will continue blooming while temperatures remain between 45°F and 65°F, occasionally taking a break during colder weather. Replace your pansies with heat-loving flowers when temperatures warm up.