37 Purple Perennial Flowers You Plant Once And Enjoy Forever

If you want to grow an effortless, virtually maintenance-free garden, growing perennials is the way to go.

You can more or less plant and then forget these species, although occasional watering, fertilizing, or weeding may be required.

Photo collage featuring various purple perennials from the post.

You don’t have to forego beauty for effort, either.

There are plenty of gorgeous purple perennials you can grow that will not only add color to your garden but versatility and allure, too.

Here are some of the 37 best purple perennials you can grow.

Jump to:

37 Purple Perennials You Can Grow

1. Allium

There are several types of allium that grow well in a garden - and produce gorgeous purple globes.

These plants (also known as chives or ornamental onions) produce dusty purple flower globes in the mid- to late-summer.

They are generally hardy in zones four through eight.

2. Vervain

Another native perennial you can plant is vervain.

This tall purple perennial produces flowers that are sure to stand out among the other plants in your garden.

They grow to roughly four feet and love being grown in the sun. You may have a hard time finding these plants at your local nursery, but rest assured, they’re easy to start from seed.

3. Butterfly Bush

Butterfly Bush - Purple Perennial Flower

Most butterfly bush plants are found in shades of red, but there are some types that are purple, too. ‘Grand Cascade’ is one cultivar to consider.

This plant produces pale lavender flowers that can grow well over a foot in length. It blooms well in zones five through ten.

4. German Bearded Iris

German Bearded Iris - Purple Perennial Flower

The German bearded iris can be found in all kinds of colors and shades, but the violet shade is one of the most breathtaking.

When you plant, you’ll want to be careful about not burying the rhizomes too deeply - this can cause them to rot.

Otherwise, German iris plants are easy to grow. They are hardy to -40 degrees and grow up to three feet tall each spring.

5. Bush Clematis

Bush clematis is a hybrid species that is a cross between two cultivars, which gives it not only a unique appearance, but also stellar performance in the garden.

It has broad leaves that are doused in tiny purple flowers (most of which are shaped like stars).

This is a non-vining clematis plant that loves to sprawl.

6. Bear’s Breeches

Bear’s Breeches - Purple Perennial Flower

This plant isn’t only fun to talk about - it’s also fun to grow! It is a large perennial with purple flowers that produces tall, hooded flowers each summer.

It thrives in full sun and will bloom almost all summer long, but is hardy to -20 degrees.

7. Hardy Geranium

Hardy Geranium - Purple Perennial Flower

Hardy geranium is a hybrid plant that grows rich, dark bronze leaves and grows in an upright fashion. It has blue-purple flowers and is a vigorous grower.

8. Monkshood

This gorgeous purple perennial is one of the few that blooms in the fall. It grows best in full sun, producing tall spires of flowers that are also deer-resistant.

9. Daylily

Daylilies can be found in all colors, but if you’re looking for purple blooms, you’ll want to consider the Rainbow Rhythm ‘Storm Shelter’ Daylily.

This plant produces gorgeous eggplant-colored blooms and rounded, elegant petals. It blooms in mid- to late summer in zones three to nine.

10. Tatarian Aster

Tatarian Aster - Purple Perennial Flower

A super tall purple perennial, this plant is prized for its ability to attract migrating monarch butterflies.

It blooms late but grows to nearly six feet tall, crowded with dense clusters of purple flowers that are beloved by most pollinators.

It thrives in full sun and requires zero staking, despite its statuesque heights.

11. Coral Bells

Coral bells is a beautiful purple perennial that doesn’t produce purple flowers, but instead, purple leaves.

These leaves are large and scalloped.

There are several types of coral bells you can grow if you want purple foliage - two of the best are ‘Wildberry’ and ‘Blackberry Ice.’

12. False Indigo

False indigo also produces gorgeous spikes of bluish-purple flowers.

It can be found in shades of burgundy, white, and yellow, too, but purple is, without a doubt, the most common (and the most beautiful!).

This plant can grow to three feet tall in sunny locations and is hard to almost all winter temperatures.

13. Russell Blue Lupine

Russell Blue Lupine - Purple Perennial Flower

If you’re going to grow a perennial garden, lupines are almost always the way to glow.

These plants bloom in the spring and produce gorgeous purple spires of towering blooms.

If you want a very purple shade, you might want to consider ‘Russell Blue,’ which is more purple than blue despite its confusing moniker.

14. Monarda ‘Leading Lady Plum’

Monarda ‘Leading Lady Plum’ - Purple Perennial Flower

Monarda ‘Leading Lady Plum’ is another top hybrid to grow if you want a plant that will flower early and form growth in a petite clump.

It is densely branched and loaded with dark green foliage that is mildew-resistant.

Another popular purple monarda species to grow? ‘Rockin Raspberry.’

This shrub blooms a bit later in the summer but is still aromatic and gorgeous to look at.

15. Clustered Bellflower

Clustered Bellflower - Purple Perennial Flower

the clustered bellflower, or Campanula glomerata, produces dark p purple flowers that are sure to stop you in your tracks.

The plant thrives in full and partial sun and is hardy to -40 degrees.

It’s beloved by pollinators and is also deer-resistant.

16. Perennial Salvia

Perennial Salvia - Purple Perennial Flower

Perennial salvia offers a concentrated display of purple color spread out over dense, well-branched plants.

It blooms in the late spring to early summer and is hardy in zones three through eight.

17. Blazing Star

Blazing star is a native purple perennial that is found in North America.

Relished by bees and butterflies alike, the plant produces foot-tall spikes every summer.

The blooms open down the stem slowly, giving the plant a prolonged bloom time.

This plant prefers full sunlight and grows in a bulb-like structure. It’s easy to plant and deer-resistant, too.

18. Corydalis

Corydalis plants grow in large clumps, producing fern-like foliage and delicate purple flowers.

The plant will bloom the most prolifically in he's print but will continue pushing out blossoms in the summer and fall, growing as tall as 15 inches high.

19. Tradescantia

This unique foliage plant grows like a grass, but produces delicate purple blooms (along with purple foliage).

The plant’s flowers only last a day or two, but you'll love looking at them when they do appear.

The plant grows up to 36 inches wide.

20. Veronicas

Veronicas are easy to grow and thrive in moist conditions. These spiky flowers bloom from late spring until the late summer months.

21. Anemone

A dainty flower, the anemone blooms in the spring, adding beauty and elegance to a garden. These plants bloom best when given a bit of shade and plenty of fertile soil.

22. Delphinium

The delphinium is a summer-blooming plant that needs to be grown in full sun. when grown in the proper conditions, it produces gorgeous purple blooms that attract gorgeous creatures like hummingbirds and butterflies.

23. Boltonia

Boltonia flowers bloom late in the summer, thriving in full sun.

They look a lot like baby’s breath before blossoms appear, but once they do, it will be easy for you to tell the difference.

They’ll push out hundreds of showy purple flowers that will sprawl out in your garden space.

24. Anise

Anise, or anise hyssop, is a plant that grows well in most areas.

It produces pollinator-friendly purple perennials that will grow well each spring.

The plant is beloved by bees and butterflies but hated by deer- it produces non-stop blooms during the spring and summer months.

25. Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums - Purple Perennial Flower

Chrysanthemums can be found in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and colors, but the purple color is one of the most beloved.

These flowers will look much like daisies, growing in mounds in your garden. They can grow up to three feet tall.

26. Coneflower

Coneflower, or echinacea, is another gorgeous purple perennial you can grow. This plant is south as it is beautiful, blooming all summer long even in poor, dry soil. It is a butterfly magnet, too.

27. Sedum

Sedum is a semi-succulent plant that produces dome-like flowers with a rounded blooming habit. These purple majesties grow on thick stems with large leaves, blooming in the late summer to late fall.

28. Hydrangea

The hydrangea is one of the most popular purple shrubs you can grow. Both bigleaf and mophead hydrangeas will produce all the colors you want to see. The plant requires a bit of shade and moderate amounts of water.

29. Bergenia

Bergenia is one of the most gorgeous purple perennials you can plant. Each leaf is round and toothed, surrounding a bloom that consists of an open rosette with a five-petaled flower. They are versatile and bloom seasonally, preferring full sun and well-draining soil.

30. Catmint

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a plant that’s tougher than catmint. This plant thrives in a hot,dry climate and will bloom all season long.

Catmint forms a low, rounded mound of silver-blue foliage along with dense spikes of purple flowers. It attracts both butterflies and birds and can be cut back each winter.

31. Meadow Rue

Meadow rue is a low-maintenance purple perennial that produces narrow stems and toothed leaves. This plant grows best in a full sun location.

32. Purple-Leaved Spiderwort

Purple-Leaved Spiderwort - Purple Perennial Flower

The purple-leaved spiderwort produces purple leaves along with tiny purple flowers. Hardy only in warm climates, it’s worth growing even if you have to replace it every spring and grow it as an annual.

It is particularly lovely and easy to care for when grown in a container.

33. Lavender

If you want to grow a plant that is aromatic as it is beautiful, lavender is the way to go.

This tranquil, relaxing bloom produces clusters of gray leaves leading up to fragrant purple blooms. It grows best in late summer and doesn’t require a lot of water to thrive.

34. Mistflower

This North American native plant produces gorgeous purple flowers with powder puff-like blooms.

It blooms late, not flowering until late in the season. It is a perennial that is hardy to -20 degrees, growing well in full sun to partial shade.

35. Lungwort

This purple perennial blooms early and thrives in the shade; it's also deer-resistant.

The plant is hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit and produces gorgeous white and pink flowers, some of which have mottled foliage.

36. Pasque Flower

The pasque flower is a gorgeous plant that blooms all in the early spring. It has fer-n-like foliage and large seed heads. The plant is hardy to -40 degrees and thrives in well-draining soil. It reseeds easily, too.

37. Phlox

Phlox is a classic purple perennial, with multiple cultivars for you to choose from. Verging three feet tall, these plants produce purple blooms as long as they have full sun.

They are hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenehtia and beloved by bees, butterflies, moths, and other pollinators.

Tips for Finding the Perfect Purple Perennials

Purple is the color of royalty and nobility - and there is no shortage of purple perennial plant options out there.

You’ll have plenty of choices to choose from, and you’ll love how low-maintenance these picks can be.

When you’re trying to find the right perennials, consider your growing zones and the planting conditions in your garden.

You’ll want to make sure the perennials you select match those conditions perfectly to help reduce your efforts in the garden even further.

Otherwise, finding the right purple perennials is easy.

Consider planting one - or several! - of these gorgeous purple perennials for cool, balanced color all season long.