Perennials are plants which last for more than two years. With care, perennials can produce flowers for several years. Bushes can also be perennial and a common example is the Hibiscus bush or shrub.
As a seasoned gardener, I’ve had the opportunity to cultivate a wide range of perennial shrubs over the years, but nothing quite compares to my passion for the ones that boast a captivating hue of purple flowers.
In my garden, I’ve taken a leap of faith and nurtured various species of these shrubs, including hydrangeas, lavenders, butterfly bushes, and more. Each of these plants brings its own unique allure, yet they all exude a striking purple color that adds an aura of mystery and serenity to my garden beds.
However, what truly astounds me about these purple flowering shrubs is their resilience. Being perennials, they come back year after year with a minimum amount of care from me, and all they demand is a well-drained soil, regular watering, and some rays of sun.
To my surprise, they can endure drought and some species can even thrive in partial shade, making them an ideal choice for gardens that don’t receive full sun throughout the day.
If you’re considering growing these magnificent plants, my advice is to carefully choose the right variety that suits your climate and soil conditions. For instance, hydrangeas love acidic soils, while lavenders thrive in well-drained, sandy soils.
I also suggest pruning your shrubs every year to promote new growth and prevent them from becoming too tall and leggy. Finally, don’t forget to fertilize your plants in the spring, and you’ll be rewarded with a profusion of purple flowers each season.
The most common evergreen shrubs with purple flowers include lilacs, plums, and lavender. The purple bushes contrast with luscious green foliage in full bloom. The flowers of these evergreen shrubs usually come back every year making your garden have color in your landscape the whole year.
Key Takeaway: Choosing the best shrubs should depend on the location of your garden. Flowering evergreen shrubs thrive best along borders or behind a flower bed. You, should, however ensure it gets enough sunlight to blossom.
What is the bush that looks like lavender?
Salvia officinalis, also known as sage or common sage, has grey leaves and blueish purple flowers that resemble lavender. This sage, like lavender, is native to the Mediterranean and has a plethora of culinary and medicinal applications. It is one of the most popular
Video – Which is the most popular Perennial Shrub with Purple Flowers?
Shrubs with beautiful purple blooms
Evergreen shrub with small purple flowers
Below is a list of the most popular evergreen shrubs with small purple flowers. They include:
Purple Hydrangea Shrubs – These shrubs can be identified by their large purple blooms that are made up of small flowers
Purple Fuchsia Shrubs – This shrub produces fantastic flowers with a tear-shaped center surrounded by pink petals
Rhododendron Flowering Shrubs– These shrubs bloom with small purple or pinkish flowers. These shrubs also give a pleasant fragrance when in bloom.
Bluebeard – This small flowering shrub blooms in late summer filling the garden air with a pleasant smell. Not only can you grow this shrub on perennial borders and front gardens, but also in containers.
Lavender – This is a small herbaceous shrub that produces spikes of purple flowers that smell fantastic.
Perennial purple flowers
Purple perennial flowers are divided according to their stature. The majority of gardeners use a plant’s mature height to decide where it should be planted and whether it will fit in the space. Example are vervain, German bearded iris, Beer’s breeches, and Monkshood among others.
Purple perennial flower identification – list of purple flowers
Flower/plant name
Scientific name
Best growing conditions
Vervain
Verbena Stricta
The sun-living vervain is hardy to -30 degrees F. Although the plant tolerates shade, it grows well under full sunlight with drained soils as a necessity.
German Bearded iris
Iris germanica
Iris thrives well in full to partial sunlight. The plant is easy to grow but it is considered to be as tough as nails with a carefree nature. Reaching 2 to 3 feet in height, it is fully hardy down to -40 degrees F.
Bear’s breeches
Acunthus mollis
Grows well in full summer with its blooms lasting for 4 months. it’s also winter hardy down to -20 degrees F.
Monkshood
Aconitum napellus
They do well until late summer and last into autumn. Full sunlight makes the flower of this plant stand tall.
Tatarian aster
Aster tataricus
These 6 feet tall perennial thrives in full sun and it is hardy to -40 degrees F. Does well in a variety of soil conditions but proper drainage must be adhered to.
Russell blue lupine
Lupinus ‘Russell Blue’
Lupines thrive well under full sunlight. They are classics in late spring and winter hardy to -30 degrees F.
Clustered bellflower
Campanulaglomerata
The flowers of this plant thrive best in both partial and full sunlight. Most cultivators also prefer cool moist soils for increased blooms.
Blazing star
Liaricis spicata
This North American native perennial prefers full sun conditions. It’s also easy to plant and must be cultivated in drained soils of medium fertility.
Salvia
Salvia nemorosa
Salvia is best known to bloom in hot, sunny, and dry garden beds. Simply put, the soil must be well-drained.
Anise hyssop
Agastache foeniculum ‘Blue Fortune’
This plant can tolerate light shade but sunny conditions are better.
Wood phlox
Phlox divaricata
Known to produce early-season blooms. Wood phlox thrives well during spring; hence it is resistant to dry soil. It is hardy down to -40 degrees F
Purple- leaved spiderwort
Tradescntia pallida ‘Purple Queen’
This plant is hardy in warmer climates and must be replaced during spring. Also does well in partial shade as long as the soil is moist.
Bushes with purple flowers
Infographic – Common perennials with purple flowers
Purple flowering shrub identification
Purple shrubs and bushes
Shrubs and bushes with purple flowers come in many diverse forms. There are both deciduous and evergreen species. The most interesting shrubs to consider include:
Rose of Sharon
Weigela
Syringa Vulgaris
Magnolia
Rhododendron
Purple flowering shrubs UK
The teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) is a native UK plant that grows every other year. Its tall spikes of brush-like flower heads with purple blooms attract bees and butterflies. In the winter, goldfinches eat the seed. For best results, plant in a secluded area of the garden.
Other plants with purple flowers
Sweet rocket. Scientifically knowns as Hesperis matrionalis is a purple-flowered plant with an amazing fragrance. This plant thrives well in partial sunlight or a partially shaded border.
Alliums – this pant is popular with pollinating insects.
Salvias – this plant thrives well among other bright-colored flowers like rudbekias and kniphofias.
Verbena bonariensis – this plant which is not only attractive to pollinators but its plate-like purple flowers make it popular.
Wisteria – Wisteria is best grown against the front of a house or on garden walls.
List of purple perennials
Teasel
Sweet rocket
Alliums
Salvias
Catmint
Verbena bonariensis
Clematis
Wisteria
Purple Bushes
If you are thinking of adding purple color to your garden, you have many options of bushes with purple flowers. Many of them are relatively hardy and require minimal maintenance. However, you must select the right kind of bush that is hardy to your climatic region.
Furthermore, if you want permanent fixtures in your garden, you may consider woody bushes that appear like small trees. Take a look at the comprehensive list of purple bushes below:
Teasel Bush
Purplish-pink Teasel flower
Teasel is a short and coarse biennial with long leaves that meet at the base to form a trough that traps rainwater. It forms tall dome-shaped flower heads with numerous four-lobed flower heads that settle on a crownlike circle of spiny narrow bracts.
The male flower parts mature before the female for effective pollination. Teasel seeds are food for birds.
Check out interesting features and growing conditions for teasel bush:
It produces purple or pink-lilac flowers.
A mature plant grows up to 59.1 inches tall and 17.7 inches wide.
It is a hardy biennial ideal for rock gardens, wildlife, and cut flower gardens.
It requires minimal maintenance.
It thrives best in partial shade or full sun exposure.
It blooms from July to August and the inflorescence continues after flowering.
Sweet rocket, scientifically known as Hesperis refers to a small group of tall, flowering, and hardy biennials of the cabbage family. Sometimes they can grow as short-lived perennials according to the climate.
Dark-green, deciduous, pointed leaves and bears pale purple or sometimes white flowers. The flowers appear as loose clusters at the top of tall stems.
Below are unique features and growing conditions for the sweet rocket bush.
It blooms from June to July.
It is native to Asia and Europe.
It can grow as a bushy biennial or perennial but grows as a perennial all across the UK.
It flourishes in full sun but it can withstand some shade.
It can grow in an east, west, south, or north-facing aspect.
It requires moist sandy soil to thrive.
Sweet rocket is an excellent mixed herbaceous border plant and is also ideal for cottage gardens. Moreover, it is a self-seeding plant if the growing conditions are favorable. It is popular for attracting butterflies and other beneficial insects to your garden.
Also known as purple allium, it is a bulbous plant that can live up to four years after planting. They have a long blooming season, blooming for weeks to bridge the gap between spring and summer.
These bushes bear lovely pompom flowers in shades of purple, white, and pink. Alliums will look more attractive if you plant them in groups. They are perfect for cut flowers in both dried and fresh arrangements.
The following are the favorable conditions for growing allium bushes:
They grow best in slightly acidic soils with a pH level between 5.5 and 6.5.
They grow well in well-drained soil.
They are drought-tolerant and grow best in full sun, though most types will also tolerate partial shade and some are winter hardy and can grow in cooler zones.
They grow well in the containers, when planted alone or with other plants.
For best results, it’s advisable to use the growing guide as large bulbs can be planted 5 to 6” deep, while small ones like alliums only require 3” deep.
Salvia, scientifically called Salvia divinorum, is an herb in the mint family. It produces incredible purple flowers though some species may have other flower colors. Moreover, the blooms are rich in nectar that attract butterflies and other pollinators.
Below are some unique features and favorable growing conditions for salvias:
They thrive best in well-drained soil; you can boost drainage in heavy soil by adding gravel to the planting hole.
While salvias appreciate full sun exposure, they require some shelter for the best performance.
They are hardy and shrubby, meaning they can survive in winter if they have proper drainage and care.
Some species like Salvia patens are half-hardy and might require mulching from frost in colder regions. Alternatively, you can lift them in their containers and overwinter them indoors.
The characteristic leaf shape of Catmint gives it away – it’s a member of the Mint famil
Catmint (Nepeta) is a perennial herb in the mint family. They are fast-growing plants that are easy to grow and care for; it does not experience many pest problems. They have slightly fragrant foliage that flaunts a delicate lacy appearance.
It bears spiky flowers in summer but they repeat throughout the season. The flowers can be purple, white, or pink, but they come in white hues.
Check out the following features and favorable growing conditions for catmint:
A mature plant can grow up to 10 to 24 inches in height and 1 to 2 feet in width.
It is ideal for hardiness zones 4-8.
It blooms in spring and summer with purple, white, or pink flowers.
It requires full sun exposure to thrive but it can tolerate partial shade.
It flourishes in well-drained alkaline, acidic, or neutral soil.
Catmint is one of the most faithful purple bushes you can use to adorn your garden; you can plant it from spring to early fall. It is resistant to deer, pests, and diseases.
Vervain is tall without many leaves, but sports a head of purple flower petal
Commonly known as Argentinian vervain, Verbena Bonariensis is a tall, narrow plant with sparse leaves on the stems. It bears flattened heads of bright lavender-purple blooms in late summer.
It is the perfect border plant to grow as a warm-weather privacy screen. The following are interesting features and growing conditions for Verbena Bonariensis.
It requires moist but well-drained loamy soil.
It thrives in full sun exposure.
It is a self-seeding plant that requires protection from frost in colder regions.
In addition, Verbena Bonariensis is a popular climbing plant that gives your border an ornamental vibe.
Clematis or “Queen of the Vines” is the best-known purple flowering bush. It is famous for its enormous star-shaped flowers on twining vines. There are various types of clematis with some growing as vines while others grow as shrubs and bushes.
Check out the following amazing features and growing conditions for clematis:
Most species are hardy to USDA Hardiness zones 4 to 8.
They are native to North America.
The flowers mostly come in lighter hues of purple, pink, blue, or white, but they can come in other shades too.
It thrives in well-drained soil.
It requires full sun to bloom but it can tolerate partial shade.
Clematis Care Sheet
Soil Type
Well-draining, rich soil
Sunshine Needed
Full sun to partial shade
Growing Zones (U.S.A.)
3-9
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Water Requirements
Regular watering
Rose of Sharon
Purplish-pink Rose of Sharon
Rose of Sharon is an incredible garden bush that flaunts purple, pink, red, or white flowers in summer. Growing Rose of Sharon is straightforward if you adhere to the growing guide and provide the ideal growing conditions.
Its blooms are enormous and they attract butterflies, birds, and other beneficial insects.
Here is what to note about Roses of Sharon bush:
A mature plant can be about 2.5-3.5 meters tall and up to 3 m wide.
It is native to eastern Asia.
Its height and spread make it suitable for growing as your privacy border plant.
Rose bushes appreciate moist, well-drained soil, but they can tolerate other soils as long as they are not too dry or soggy.
Wisteria is a vigorously-blooming bush that produces clusters of lilac flowers in every growing season. It is an aggressive fast-growing vine that can reach up to 30 feet or longer. Moreover, it is a heavy grower. Check out some wisteria facts below:
Its flowers produce bean-like seed pods that stay on the plant till winter.
It is toxic to humans, livestock, and pets.
It appreciates full sun but it can survive partial shade.
It flourishes in fertile, moist, well-draining loamy soil, you can improve poor quality soil by adding compost.
Common Lilac has delicate flowers with a powerful perfume
It is commonly known as the common lilac and it is famous for its fragrant purple flowers. It is an easy-to-grow tough bush that is resistant to deer and most pests and diseases. It has the following unique features:
It is native to Southern Europe.
A mature plant can grow up to about 240 to 450 cm tall, but there are a few exceptions.
It is a warm-weather plant, mostly suitable for zone 8.
It thrives best in fertile, humus-rich dry-medium, alkaline-neutral soil.
It can grow in partial shade but it requires full sun exposure to flower.
Magnolia is a deciduous or evergreen bush with alternating flowers. In addition, it yields sweet fragrant cuplike flowers at the branch tops. Magnolia flowers are purple but they can come in a range of colors depending on the species. Below are some magnolia fan facts:
It thrives best in moist yet well-drained slightly acidic soil.
It needs full sun exposure.
It is an ideal ornamental bush.
However, it would help to distinguish between the magnolia tree and the bush before growing them.
Rhododendron flowers can be white, pink, purple, red or almost orange!
Rhododendron is a deciduous large garden bush with large leaves that stay green all through winter to welcome lovely flowers in early spring. It produces clusters of tubular, funnel, or bell-shaped flowers that start to manifest in spring. Here are facts about Rhododendron bush:
It grows up to 1-2 feet tall, but some species can go up to 25 feet.
The flowers come in many shades including purple, pink, red, yellow, and white.
They mostly bloom in spring, but a few exceptions bloom in summer.
FAQ relating to perennial shrubs with purple flowers:
What is the name of the bush with purple flowers?
Lilacs. Common lilac flower clusters are equally lovely. They have a pleasant fragrance that may propel them to the top of the list of shrubs with purple flowers. Although other colors are available, many gardeners prefer purple lilacs.
What perennial plant has purple flowers?
Verbena bonariensis is cultivated for its plate-like purple flowers, which attract a wide range of pollinators. It’s ideal for giving borders height as well as long-lasting color.
What flowering shrubs look good all year?
Many shrubs provide perennial interest due to their evergreen leaves or a changing palette of berries, flowers, and foliage color in the autumn. However, shrubs have a seasonal cycle with a specific flowering period, making it impossible to flower all year.
Derek Bruce has interests in many diverse subjects, including gardening, electric vehicles, creative writing and science fiction. "Really look at a flower and you will see the whole Universe!"
Sitemap derekbruce597@gmail.com
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