Purple garden flowers: identification guide with photos
Purple is one of the most common colors in the garden flower spectrum, and many purple-flowered plants are superficially similar enough to cause confusion. This guide organizes common purple flowers by type (annual, perennial, bulb, shrub) and provides distinguishing features for the most commonly.
Purple is one of the most common colors in the garden flower spectrum, and many purple-flowered plants are superficially similar enough to cause confusion. This guide organizes common purple flowers by type (annual, perennial, bulb, shrub) and provides distinguishing features for the most commonly confused groups.
Per Missouri Botanical Garden, "purple" in horticulture covers a wide range from red-purple (magenta) through violet to blue-purple. True purple flowers — balanced between red and blue — include lavender, allium, and some clematis cultivars. Many "purple" flowers are technically violet or red-violet.
Purple spring bulbs
Allium (Allium spp.)
Globe-shaped flower heads composed of dozens of small star-shaped flowers on leafless stems 12–48 inches tall. The dried seed heads are also ornamental. Strong onion scent when foliage is crushed.
Common ornamental alliums: 'Gladiator' (4 inches diameter; violet-purple; 36 inches tall), 'Globemaster' (8 inches diameter; zones 6–10), 'Purple Sensation' (4 inches; rich purple; 24 inches), A. schoenoprasum (chive; smaller; 12–18 inches).
Per Penn State Extension, ornamental alliums bloom May–June in zones 5–7 and are among the most deer-resistant spring bulbs available.
Dutch crocus (Crocus vernus)
Cup-shaped flowers 2–4 inches tall in late February–March (zone 6). Purple varieties are among the earliest garden flowers. Distinguished from grape hyacinth (later, smaller, more tubular) by their larger cup-shaped flowers and grass-like foliage.
Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis)
Dense spikes of small tubular flowers in April; intensely fragrant. Purple varieties include 'Amethyst' and 'Woodstock'. Distinguished from other spring bulbs by fragrance and the extremely dense, upright flower spike.