15 Purple Flowering Perennials with Pictures + Growing Guides

There are many purple perennials to add to your garden, however, do you know all of them?

With so many options out there, there’s no better time to go over the best perennials you can plant this summer season. A perennial is one that grows for multiple seasons, so if you plant one this summer, you’ll be able to enjoy it again next summer.

Purple Perennial Columbine
Purple Perennial Columbine

While having purple in the garden really wows, you can create an even prettier garden by blending it with complimentary, but contrasting colors, such as orange flowering perennials. This combination will add easy visual interest.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just beginning, these are all easy plants to care for. Here’s a list of the best early and late-blooming purple flowers to plant:


1. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) 

Russian Sage 1
Russian Sage

Russian Sage is an excellent option to add to your garden, not only because of how easy it is to care for but because it can grow up to four feet tall, adding a lot of visual interest to your front lawn.

Though this beautiful purple plant does require some watering, you only have to do it while the roots are being established.

Once they are, this purple color flower becomes drought tolerant. Here’s what you need to know about caring for this lavender beauty: 

Botanical Name: Perovskia atriplicifolia
Growth Rate: Up to 4′ tall
Native Range: Asia
Hardiness Zones:4-9
Dangers:Non-toxic
Soil Needs: Well-draining soil that isn’t too rich
Exposure:Full sun
Ease of Care:Divide the plant in either the spring or fall 
Diseases:Root rot and stem blight
Propagation:Divide plant in either the spring or fall 
Fertilizer:Fertilize in the spring
Pests:Whiteflies, leafhoppers, and aphids
Blooming Period:Summer
Pruning:Trim plants back in the fall following the first frost
Water needs:Water once a week until the roots are established, then the plant becomes drought tolerant
Russian Sage Growing Guide Chart

2. Salvia (Salvia nemorosa)

Salvia 2
Salvia

The Salvia plant is a gorgeous addition to anyone’s garden. It’s easy to maintain and provides your garden with a pop of color that can add some visual flare.

One of the reasons why this plant is so easy to maintain is the low amount of water it requires. All you need to do is check to see if the top half-inch of the soil is wet to determine if it needs to be watered. No regular regime is needed.

Here’s more info you need to know to take care of this beautiful plant:

Botanical Name: Salvia nemorosa
Growth Rate: Up to 2′ tall
Native Range: Europe and Asia
Hardiness Zones:4-9
Dangers:Non-toxic
Soil Needs: Moist, well-draining soil 
Exposure:Full sun
Ease of Care:Low-maintenance
Diseases:Powdery mildew and leaf spot
Propagation:Plant cuttings in water or soil either in the spring or early summer
Fertilizer:Apply fertilizer in the middle of spring or mid-to-late fall
Pests:Whiteflies, aphids, thrips, and scales
Blooming Period:Summer
Pruning:Cut back in the spring and again in July 
Water needs:Water when the first half-inch of soil is dry
Salvia Growing Guide Chart

3. Phlox (Phlox paniculata)

Phlox

The Phlox is a beautiful flower that stands out in any garden! With its stunning white and pink flowers, it makes a statement while complimenting everything around it.

This flower is also low maintenance, only requiring well-draining soil and water about once a week, making it perfect for beginners. Here’s some more information on how to take care of a Phlox:

Botanical Name: Phlox paniculata
Growth Rate: A moist, well-draining soil 
Native Range: Up to 4′ tall 
Hardiness Zones:4-8
Dangers:Non-toxic
Soil Needs: Moist, well-draining soil 
Exposure:Full sun or partial sun
Ease of Care:Low-maintenance
Diseases:Leaf spot and powdery mildew
Propagation:Plant cuttings in the soil during the winter season
Fertilizer:Apply fertilizer either in early spring or late winter
Pests:Spider mites
Blooming Period:Summer
Pruning:Cut plant in late fall 
Water needs:Water once a week
Phlox Growing Guide Chart

4. Veronica (Veronica spicata)

Veronica
Veronica

When in bloom, the Veronica plant will either yield gorgeous purple or pink flowers. Veronica plants have pretty spindle-shaped flowers and can grow up to 3 feet tall, making them a real showstopper.

Though you can fertilize this plant, it’s not required. Veronica plants will still bloom beautifully without fertilizer, as long as they’re exposed to the right conditions.

This is a plant that does prefer full sun and well-draining soil. Here’s what to know about these beautiful flowers: 

Botanical Name: Veronica spicata
Growth Rate: Up to 3′ tall and up to 2′ wide
Native Range: Asia and Europe
Hardiness Zones:3-8
Dangers:Non-toxic
Soil Needs: Divide the plant in either the spring or fall 
Exposure:Full sun
Ease of Care:Low-maintenance
Diseases:Not applicable
Propagation:In the summer, water to keep the soil consistently moist. In the winter, water sparingly to keep the soil dry
Fertilizer:Apply fertilizer once a year or every other year, if so desired
Pests:Aphids, snails, and slugs
Blooming Period:Summer
Pruning:Trim after the foliage starts to die 
Water needs:In the summer, water to keep soil consistently moist. In the winter, water sparingly to keep the soil dry
Veronica Growing Guide Chart

5. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii)

Butterfly Bush 2
Butterfly Bush

Are you looking for ways to attract more butterflies to your garden? Plant a gorgeous Butterfly Bush!

Aptly named, the Butterfly Bush is great for attracting pollinators to your garden. While it’s common to see this plant display deep purple flowers, you may also get white blossoms.

Keep in mind that this plant grows best when it has fertilizer in the spring and early summer. However, do not apply fertilizer any later than July as this could create issues with the plant’s ability to lay dormant for the fall and winter seasons.

Interested in adding some purple and white flowers to your garden? Here’s what you need to know about caring for the popular Butterfly Bush!

Botanical Name: Buddleia davidii
Growth Rate: Up to 10′ tall and up to 10′ wide
Native Range: China
Hardiness Zones:6-9
Dangers:Non-toxic
Soil Needs: Well-draining soil with organic matter
Exposure:Full sun
Ease of Care:Cut the plant back in the spring
Diseases:Downy mildew
Propagation:Divide the plant in the middle of the summer
Fertilizer:Fertilize twice in the spring and once in early summer
Pests:Spider mites, caterpillars, and capsid bugs
Blooming Period:Summer – early fall 
Pruning:Cut plant back in the spring
Water needs:Water every couple of weeks during dry weather
Butterfly Bush Growing Guide Chart

6. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)

Bee Balm
Bee Balm

Bee Balm is just such a fun name, isn’t it? Aside from its cute name, the Bee Balm plant also has gorgeous flowers that are a shade in between dark purple and red. 

The Bee Balm plant does best when grown in either full sun or partial shade. It is a native perennial to North America, including both Canada and the United States. You can expect it to bloom all summer long, mainly through July and August. 

Here’s a handy care guide for these flowers that bloom in the summer: 

Botanical Name: Monarda didyma
Growth Rate: Up to 4′ tall
Native Range: United States and Canada
Hardiness Zones:4-9
Dangers:Non-toxic
Soil Needs: Rich, well-draining loam
Exposure:Partial shade to full sun
Ease of Care:Moderate
Diseases:Powdery mildew
Propagation:Divide the plant in either the spring or fall 
Fertilizer:Apply a 10-10-10 fertilizer once during the early spring
Pests:Whiteflies, spider mites, and aphids
Blooming Period:Summer
Pruning:Prune in either the fall or winter seasons when the growth has died
Water needs:Water to keep the soil consistently moist
Bee Balm Growing Guide Chart

7. Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus)

Balloon Flower
Balloon Flower

Balloon Flowers have a blue and purple hue to them. These small star-shaped flowers are easy to grow and highly resistant to disease as long as they have the right conditions to grow.

For example, the Balloon Flower will bloom best when exposed to full fun and organic, well-draining soil. 

Taking care of these purple blooms is easy with this care guide: 

Botanical Name: Platycodon grandiflorus
Growth Rate: Up to 30″ tall and up to 18″ wide
Native Range: Japan, China, and Siberia
Hardiness Zones:3-8
Dangers:Toxic
Soil Needs: Divide the plant in the spring
Exposure:An organic, well-draining soil 
Ease of Care:Low-maintenance
Diseases:Not applicable
Propagation:Water regularly to keep the soil moist
Fertilizer:Apply a slow-release fertilizer in the spring
Pests:Slugs
Blooming Period:Summer
Pruning:Trim plant all the way down in the fall 
Water needs:Water regularly to keep soil moist
Balloon Flower Growing Guide Chart

8. Meadow Rue (Thalictrum)

Meadow Rue
Meadow Rue

Meadow Rue is easily one of the prettiest light purple flowers on this list. Growing anywhere between 4 feet and 6 feet tall, this late-summer flowering plant adds visual interest to any landscape. It has small pinkish-purple flowers and grows best in full sun.

Keep in mind that because of how thin Meadow Rue is, you may need to stake it so it can take shape and grow easily.

Here’s everything you need to know about this beautiful perennial that blooms from mid-to-late summer:  

Botanical Name: A moist, well-draining soil 
Growth Rate: Up to 6′ tall and up to 3′ wide
Native Range: United States
Hardiness Zones:3-8
Dangers:May cause skin irritation
Soil Needs: Moist, well-draining soil 
Exposure:Full sun or partial shade
Ease of Care:Low-maintenance
Diseases:Not applicable
Propagation:Divide the plant in spring or fall 
Fertilizer:Apply fertilizer to plants in early spring and midway through the growing season
Pests:Not applicable
Blooming Period:Summer
Pruning:Trim the plant after the flowers are done blooming
Water needs:Water so the soil is consistently soggy, but not wet to avoid root rot
Meadow Rue Growing Guide Chart

 9. Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)

Foxglove Beardtongue
Foxglove Beardtongue

Though you’re likely to see Foxglove Beardtongue plants develop white and even red flowers, they do come in purple varieties, too.

These dark purple flowers get their name from their unique, cone-like shape, with the stamen resembling a tongue. 

Aside from being easy to care for, Foxglove Beardtongue plants are one of my favorite purple perennials because they adapt to many types of soil, attract pollinators, and can go long periods without water. It’s the perfect plant for beginners. 

If you want to know more about my favorite purple perennial flowers, check out the helpful guide below: 

Botanical Name: Penstemon digitalis
Growth Rate: Up to 48″ tall 
Native Range: United States
Hardiness Zones:3-8
Dangers:Toxic
Soil Needs: Trim plant any time during the spring and early summer; do not prune in September or the following months
Exposure:Full sun and partial shade
Ease of Care:Low-maintenance
Diseases:Not applicable
Propagation:Sow propagated seeds in the fall 
Fertilizer:Apply fertilizer to established plants in the spring and midway through the growing season
Pests:Not applicable
Blooming Period:Spring-early summer
Pruning:Trim plant any time during the spring and early summer; do not prune in September or following months
Water needs:Water once a week while the roots are being established, then water when the soil becomes dry 
Foxglove Beardtongue Growing Guide Chart

10. Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)

Anise Hyssop
Anise Hyssop

When in bloom, the Anise Hyssop develops small flowers in various shades including purple, pink, and orange. Though they are not super susceptible to pests, they can fall victim to common plant diseases such as root rot if they have too much water. 

The Anise Hyssop likes moist soil, but not wet or soggy soil, so try to avoid overwatering. These also make excellent cut flowers to add to a bouquet, so feel free to cut them down and bring them inside. 

Here’s what you need to know about this beautiful purple perennial: 

Botanical Name: Agastache foeniculum
Growth Rate: Up to 4′ tall 
Native Range: North America
Hardiness Zones:4-8
Dangers:Non-toxic
Soil Needs: Dry or moist, well-draining soil 
Exposure:Full sun
Ease of Care:Moderate
Diseases:Root rot, crown rot, powdery mildew, and rust
Propagation:Trim the plant back in the spring right before new growth emerges
Fertilizer:Apply compost when first planted
Pests:Not applicable
Blooming Period:Summer
Pruning:Trim plant back in the spring right before new growth emerges
Water needs:Water the plant before the soil dries out completely
Anise Hyssop Growing Guide Chart

11. Columbine (Aquilegia)

Columbine
Columbine

The Columbine plant is a striking flower with petals a deep shade of purple and bright white centers.

In fact, this plant has flowers that look the opposite of what you’d normally expect, making them the perfect perennial flowering plant to add to your garden for visual interest. 

Either full sun or partial shade is required for this perennial to grow. However, your flowers may start to wilt if they’re exposed to consistent heat, so try to plant them in an area that does get a little bit of natural shade covering.

Best of all, once established, they are extremely drought-tolerant, making them ideal for any homeowner who lives out west. 

Here’s what you need to know about this large perennial with purple flowers:

Botanical Name: Aquilegia
Growth Rate: Up to 3′ tall and up to 2′ wide
Native Range: Asia, North America, and Europe
Hardiness Zones:A moist, well-draining soil 
Dangers:Toxic
Soil Needs: Moist, well-draining soil 
Exposure:Partial shade or full sun if planted in a cool climate
Ease of Care:Low-maintenance
Diseases:Powdery mildew and gray mold
Propagation:Once the plant is established, water once a week
Fertilizer:Apply a 5-10-5 fertilizer once a month during the growing season
Pests:Aphids and sawflies
Blooming Period:Spring – Summer
Pruning:Divide the plant in the spring, every 2-3 years
Water needs:Once plant is established, water once a week
Columbine Growing Guide Chart

12. Lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus)

Lupine
Lupine

Why should you add these tall spires of flowers to your garden? Aside from creating visual interest, these pale purple flowers are easy to care for. 

This herbaceous perennial can grow up to 4.9 feet tall. This North American native plant thrives best in full sun.

Here’s how to care for this flowering perennial that blooms from late spring to early summer: 

Botanical Name: Lupinus polyphyllus
Growth Rate: Up to 4.9′ tall 
Native Range: North America
Hardiness Zones:3-6
Dangers:Toxic
Soil Needs: Well-draining soil 
Exposure:Full sun
Ease of Care:Low-maintenance
Diseases:Downy mildew
Propagation:Sow seeds in the fall; propagation is not recommended
Fertilizer:Not required
Pests:Aphids  
Blooming Period:Late spring – early summer
Pruning:Cut back by half its size in the summer after the flowers are done blooming
Water needs:Water daily until roots are established; then water every 3 days
Lupine Growing Guide Chart

13. German Iris (Iris germanica)

German Iris
German Iris

The most important thing to remember about growing the beautiful German Iris is that, even though it can thrive with full sun to partial shade, it will usually do best in full sun.

This gorgeous purple perennial is more resistant to diseases when growing in full sun. Here’s how you can take care of this plant that will grow between 2 to 3 feet tall: 

Botanical Name: Iris germanica
Growth Rate: Up to 3′ tall 
Native Range: The Mediterranean
Hardiness Zones:Divide the plant every 3-4 years in the summer
Dangers:Toxic
Soil Needs: Moist, well-draining soil with organic matter
Exposure:Full sun
Ease of Care:Low-maintenance
Diseases:Crown rot, bacterial soft rot, and fungal leaf spot
Propagation:Trim back in the middle of summer once the flowers look worn down
Fertilizer:Apply a 10-10-10 fertilizer in the spring before the flowers bloom and then again once they’re finished
Pests:Slugs, earwigs, and aphids
Blooming Period:Spring
Pruning:Water 1-2 times a week during the summer, then keep the soil dry through the autumn and winter season
Water needs:Water 1-2 times a week during the summer, then keep soil dry through the autumn and winter season
German Iris Growing Guide Chart

14. Chinese Astilbe (Astilbe chinensis)

Chinese Astilbe
Chinese Astilbe

If you’re looking for pink and purple perennials to add to your garden, look no further than the Chinese Astilbe.

The Chinese Astilbe plant is very easy to care for. Not only does it add a splash of purple to your garden, but it is also a great option if you have children and pets, as it’s non-toxic. 

Here’s what you need to know about these light purple blooms: 

Botanical Name: Astilbe chinensis
Growth Rate: Up to 16′ tall 
Native Range: North America
Hardiness Zones:A moist, well-draining soil 
Dangers:Non-toxic
Soil Needs: Moist, well-draining soil 
Exposure:Partial shade
Ease of Care:Low-maintenance
Diseases:Rhizoctonia wilt and root-knot nematode
Propagation:Propagate the plant either in the spring before the flowers bloom or in the fall after they’ve stopped blooming
Fertilizer:Apply either a 10-10-10 or 5-10-5 fertilizer in the spring
Pests:Black vine weevil
Blooming Period:Summer
Pruning:Cut back after the flowers wilt in late summer
Water needs:Once roots are established, water once a week
Chinese Astilbe Growing Guide Chart

15. Gayfeather (Liatris spicata)

Gayfeather 1
Gayfeather

Whether you call it Gayfeather or a Blazing Star, one thing’s for sure: this plant draws visual interest! Growing up to six feet tall, the Gayfeather plant has tall spiky blooms that have a pretty cool texture. 

In addition to this, they are very slender, so they’re perfect for lining the back of your garden and mixing with all the other flowers you have planted.

This plant can easily adapt to any type of soil, though it does prefer soil that is well-draining to avoid root disease. Furthermore, because of how tall and thin they are, you might want to stake it. 

Here’s a helpful guide to caring for this gorgeous plant::

Botanical Name: Liatris spicata
Growth Rate: Up to 6′ tall 
Native Range: North America
Hardiness Zones:3-9
Dangers:Non-toxic
Soil Needs: Well-draining soil 
Exposure:Full sun
Ease of Care:Low-maintenance
Diseases:Verticillium wilt, stem root, root rot, and powdery mildew
Propagation:Divide in the spring
Fertilizer:Not necessary, however, you can apply fertilizer in the spring to encourage new growth
Pests:Moths
Blooming Period:Early to mid-summer
Pruning:Cut back once the flowers have died off
Water needs:Water while the root system is developing, then the plant becomes drought tolerant
Gayfeather Growing Guide Chart

Final Thoughts 

So there you have it: the best ways of using purple flowers in your garden. Everything mentioned on this list is a perennial that blooms all summer, so you’ll have plenty of chances to enjoy it not only this year but next year, too.

Requiring little care and upkeep, all of these flowers are perfect for those who want to give gardening a try this summer.

Whether you’re looking for ground cover or blue or purple flowers that will attract pollinators, these are the best plants to try out. This guide can help you care for them. 

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