As a lifelong home gardener, I’ve always found that bluish-purple flowers add a sense of depth and elegance that no other hue quite matches. Whether you’re building a pollinator-friendly haven or designing a relaxing backyard retreat, incorporating plants with bluish-purple blooms can transform your garden into something truly enchanting. Over the years, I’ve grown dozens of varieties in this color palette, and through trial and error, I’ve come to appreciate which ones thrive, which ones attract the most butterflies and bees, and which ones bloom the longest.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the most popular bluish-purple flowering plants for home gardens, backed by research and personal experience. I’ll also include care tips, bloom time, and why each of these beauties deserves a spot in your garden.
1. Lavender (Lavandula)
Lavender is hands-down one of the most cherished bluish-purple plants in home gardens—and with good reason. Not only is it visually stunning with its soft purple spikes, but its fragrance adds a calming, spa-like scent to the air. I grow English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) along my walkway, and each summer, it turns into a buzzing runway for bees and butterflies.
Lavender thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, which makes it an ideal choice for rock gardens or raised beds. It’s drought-tolerant once established and rarely troubled by pests or diseases. From my experience, pruning back the stems right after the first bloom encourages a second flush later in the season.
Its versatility goes beyond ornamental use—dried lavender can be used for potpourri, sachets, or even baking. As an added bonus, it repels mosquitos and other pests, making your outdoor evenings more pleasant.
📚 Reference: University of Florida IFAS Extension – “Lavender in the Landscape”
2. Salvia (Salvia nemorosa and Salvia farinacea)
Salvia is another bluish-purple bloomer that has become a staple in my garden. From late spring through fall, Salvia nemorosa—commonly called Meadow Sage—puts on a spectacular display. The spiked blooms rise above clumps of aromatic foliage and are irresistible to bees and hummingbirds.
There are several varieties to choose from, but my favorites are ‘Caradonna’ and ‘May Night’, both of which have rich purple-blue flower spikes. Salvia does best in full sun and appreciates well-drained soil. I deadhead the spent blooms to keep the color coming throughout the season.
What I love about salvia is how well it tolerates heat and drought. It doesn’t wilt under summer stress, and it bounces back quickly even after a heavy rain. This makes it a low-maintenance option with high visual impact.
📚 Reference: Missouri Botanical Garden – “Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’”
3. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
For a tall, wispy look, Russian sage is one of the best bluish-purple flowering plants you can grow. Standing up to 4 feet tall, it brings texture and a hazy purple hue to the back of borders. I have mine planted alongside ornamental grasses for a soft, prairie-style effect.
This hardy perennial is drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and loved by pollinators. It thrives in poor, sandy soils, and requires minimal care once established. In my zone 7b garden, I cut it back to about 12 inches in early spring to keep it from becoming too leggy.
The silvery foliage adds contrast to greener plants and makes Russian sage a standout even when not in full bloom. When it flowers from mid-summer into fall, it creates a dreamlike mist of purple that glows in the evening light.
📚 Reference: North Carolina State Extension – “Perovskia atriplicifolia”
4. Catmint (Nepeta)
If you’re looking for a reliable bloomer that thrives with minimal fuss, catmint should be on your list. My personal favorite is ‘Walker’s Low’ Nepeta, which creates mounds of silvery foliage topped with clouds of violet-blue flowers.
Catmint blooms from late spring into summer, and if you trim it back after flowering, it often rewards you with a second round of color. It’s deer-resistant, drought-tolerant, and does exceptionally well in full sun.
One reason I love catmint is how it complements other plants. I often pair it with yellow daylilies or white daisies for a balanced color scheme. It also draws in plenty of pollinators, particularly honeybees, and the occasional neighborhood cat will lounge in the aromatic foliage.
📚 Reference: Royal Horticultural Society – “Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’”
5. Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus)
Balloon flower is a fun and unique plant that gets its name from its balloon-like buds that pop open into star-shaped, bluish-purple flowers. Kids love watching them open, and I have a small patch right by my patio steps for that reason.
This perennial does best in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained, loamy soil. Once established, balloon flower is very low-maintenance. I find that the stems can get a bit floppy, so staking or planting it near sturdier companions helps.
Balloon flowers bloom in mid-to-late summer and add a whimsical charm to the garden. One great thing is that they come back stronger each year, spreading slowly but steadily. Deadheading helps prolong the bloom season, but I like to leave a few seed heads for winter interest.
📚 Reference: Iowa State University Extension – “Balloon Flower: Platycodon grandiflorus”
6. Campanula (Bellflower)
Campanula, or bellflower, is one of those plants that seems delicate but is incredibly resilient. I have several varieties in my front bed, including Campanula carpatica, which forms neat mounds of blue-violet flowers in early summer.
Depending on the species, Campanula can grow as ground cover, form mounds, or send up tall spires. They typically thrive in cooler climates and do best in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. I water mine regularly during dry spells, and in return, they keep blooming for weeks.
What’s great about Campanula is its versatility—you can grow it in borders, rock gardens, or even containers. It also attracts bees and hummingbirds, especially during morning hours when the flowers are wide open.
📚 Reference: Cornell University Cooperative Extension – “Growing Bellflowers”
7. Clematis (Clematis jackmanii)
If you’re looking for a climbing plant with rich, bluish-purple flowers, Clematis ‘Jackmanii’ is a show-stopper. I have one growing up a wooden trellis on the side of my shed, and each summer, it erupts in a cascade of velvety purple blooms.
Clematis likes its roots cool and shaded but its top growth in full sun. I plant ground covers like hostas or mulch around the base to keep the roots comfortable. This variety blooms mid-to-late summer and can be pruned back in early spring.
Training clematis takes a bit of patience, but once it takes off, it’s relatively low maintenance. You’ll want to provide a sturdy support system because a mature clematis can get quite heavy when fully grown.
📚 Reference: American Clematis Society – “Clematis Cultivation Tips”
8. Bluebeard (Caryopteris)
Caryopteris, commonly known as bluebeard or blue mist shrub, is a lesser-known gem that deserves more attention. I added one to my back border last year, and it’s already one of my favorite late-summer bloomers. The plant forms a compact shrub that bursts into small, bluish-purple flowers from August into September—just when most other perennials start fading.
Bluebeard is a magnet for bees and butterflies and adds interest at a time when other plants are winding down. It prefers full sun, well-drained soil, and light pruning in early spring to maintain its shape.
One thing I appreciate about bluebeard is that it doesn’t require much water once established. It also has aromatic foliage that adds a second layer of sensory interest in the garden.
📚 Reference: PennState Extension – “Caryopteris: A Shrub for Late Summer Color”
Frequently Asked Questions
What flowers are blue in color?
Some true blue flowers include delphiniums, cornflowers, bluebells, hydrangeas (in acidic soil), and blue flax. These blooms are relatively rare in nature, making them highly sought after in ornamental gardening for their calming and striking appearance in flower beds and garden borders.
What is a name for a purple flower?
Lavender is one of the most well-known purple flowers, prized for both its color and scent. Other popular purple blooms include violets, salvia, bellflowers, and clematis. These flowers are widely used in gardens for their beauty and ability to attract pollinators.
What kind of flower is in the color purple?
Purple flowers come from various plant families. Examples include lilac (shrub), iris (perennial), aster (late-bloomer), and petunia (annual). Each brings its own shape, fragrance, and bloom season, making purple a versatile and elegant addition to any garden or landscape design.
Do purple roses exist?
Yes, purple roses exist and are often bred through hybridization. Varieties like ‘Blue Moon,’ ‘Ebb Tide,’ and ‘Midnight Blue’ offer shades ranging from lavender to deep violet. These roses symbolize enchantment, mystery, and love at first sight, making them popular for romantic occasions.
What purple flower symbolizes first love?
The lilac flower, especially in its lighter purple shade, traditionally symbolizes first love. Its soft fragrance and gentle hue evoke youthful affection and innocent romance. In the language of flowers, giving lilacs can be a nostalgic nod to the beginnings of romantic feelings.
Final Thoughts: Creating a Garden Palette with Bluish-Purple Flowers
Incorporating bluish-purple flowers into your garden isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s also about creating a vibrant ecosystem. These plants attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds while offering seasonal color that ranges from soft pastels to deep violets.
From my own garden, I’ve found that blending these shades with contrasting flower colors—like white daisies, yellow coreopsis, or orange coneflowers—adds layers of visual appeal. Whether you prefer the tidy look of lavender hedges or the wild beauty of Russian sage waving in the wind, there’s a bluish-purple bloomer for every style of garden.
So go ahead and make room for a few (or all!) of these popular plants. You’ll be rewarded with seasons of color, happy pollinators, and a soothing atmosphere that feels like home.
You Can Also Read:
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How Do You Care for an Ensete Maurelii Plant?
How Do You Grow and Care for a Whale Tongue Agave in a Home Garden?
What Are the Best Perennials with Pink Flowers for Home Gardens?
How Do You Grow and Care for an Opuntia Cactus Spineless Variety? (A Home Gardener’s Guide)
References:
- University of Florida IFAS Extension: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu
- Missouri Botanical Garden: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org
- North Carolina State Extension: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu
- Royal Horticultural Society: https://www.rhs.org.uk
- Iowa State University Extension: https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu
- Cornell University Cooperative Extension: http://cce.cornell.edu
- American Clematis Society: https://clematis.org
- PennState Extension: https://extension.psu.edu
