Do Not Miss These Perennial Plants with Purple Flowers

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Part 1: Sun-loving Purple Color Perennials

1.1 Ground Covers

Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)

Using crawling fluke as gardening ground cover is a good choice; it can quickly spread.

Creeping phlox is a low-growing plant that forms cushions and colorful blooms in spring. It grows in USDA hardiness zones 8–10 and is native to the eastern and central United States. Creeping Phlox is only 6 to 8 inches tall. However, it can spread to a 2-foot wide range, making it an excellent ground cover for sunny areas, slopes, or rock gardens.

Depending on the variety, the plant blooms dense clusters of small, five-petaled flowers in shades of purple, pink, white, or red. These flowers bloom in early spring, forming a bright color lasting for weeks. Creeping phlox has needle-like leaves that remain evergreen in a warm climate, adding texture and interest to the landscape all year round.

The low-maintenance plant thrives in well-drained soil with full sun. It is a drought-tolerant plant that requires minimal pruning or fertilization once its growth is stable. Creeping phlox propagates by dividing or cutting and is resistant to pests and diseases.

Rose Vervain (Verbena canadensis)

Rose vervain can be used as a ground cover plant, a rocky garden, a container, or the front of a border to add color throughout the season.

Rose vervain is a creeping perennial plant native to North America, growing in USDA hardiness zones 5-9. It has purple flowers, which attract bees and butterflies.

Rose vervain thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. Once the growth is stable, it is more drought-tolerant and suitable for gardens with various climates. It is a low-maintenance plant and is usually resistant to diseases and pests.

1.2 Border Options

Violet Profusion (Salvia nemorosa)

Use Violet profusion on the border in groups of three plants or more for best results.

Violet profusion grows in USDA hardiness zones 3-8 and is a perennial plant. It can grow 14–16 inches tall and 16–20 inches wide. Its dense violet spikes stand in sharp contrast to green leaves. Its flowers attract many bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Violet Profusion thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, though it can tolerate some shade. It is a low-maintenance plant that is usually quite resistant to pests and diseases.

Russian Sage (Salvia yangii)

Russian sage is suitable for planting on the sidewalk or near the courtyard so that you can enjoy its fragrance.

Russian sage is a perennial plant that grows in USDA hardiness zones 4-9. Mature plants can grow up to 5 feet tall and spread to 4 feet wide. Its gray-green leaves have a unique fragrance. From summer to fall, its purple flowers attract bees.

Russian sage prefers full sun and well-drained soil, tolerating drought and poor soil. It is a low-maintenance plant and requires little watering and pruning. Russian sage is also resistant to deer and rabbits.

1.3 Taller Varieties

False Indigo

False Indigo grows in USDA zones 3- 9. It is a perennial plant native to the eastern United States. The plant is ornamental due to its beautiful flowers and blue-green trifoliate leaves. Its indigo-blue flowers bloom densely on tall, straight stems from late spring to early summer.

False indigo matures will grow to 3-4 feet tall and wide. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Gravelly, sandy, or loam soil is fine as long as the soil is well-drained.

Deers do not like False Indigo. It is a low-maintenance plant that can fix nitrogen in the soil, so it doesn't need much fertilizer. Once the growth is stable, it is more tolerant of drought.

Part 2: Thriving in Light Shade:

2.1 Ground Covers

Sand violet (Viola affinis)

Many creeping plants growing in the shade are invasive species, and Sand violet is a non-invasive species.

Sand violet grows in USDA zones 4-8, is native to eastern North America, and is a perennial plant. This plant has heart-shaped green foliage and small five-petaled flowers. Its purple blooms begin to bloom in spring. Its slow growth makes it a non-invasive species that can be used as ground cover.

Sand Violet is a low-maintenance plant. It can quickly grow to 6-10 inches tall and 6-8 inches wide in partial shade, moist, well-drained soil.

2.2 Border Options

Hybrid Astilbe (Astilbe x arendsii)

Hybrid Astilbe is an excellent plant for decorating boundaries, woodlands, containers, and ground cover plants. They thrive in shady gardens, wet places, or ponds and streams.

The Hybrid Astilbe has its origins in Japan. It is a low-maintenance perennial plant that is hardy in zones 4-9. Its flowers bloom from late spring to fall, and its erect feathering spike consists of lavender-colored, white, pink, or red flowers. Hybrid Astilbe has green leaves and bronze leaves, and the color of the leaves depends on the variety.

Hybrid Astilbe grows in moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. It can grow 24-36 inches tall and 18-24 inches wide. Avoid planting Hybrid Astilbe in clay, as poor drainage can lead to root rot. In the hot summer in Florida, it needs full or partial shade and must keep the soil moist during the dry season.

2.3 Taller Varieties:

Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus africanus)

The Lily of the Nile has purple flowers with dark stripes in the center of each petal.

Lily of the Nile is a Florida-friendly perennial plant and grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. Its blue, purple, or white flowers rise above the leaves, with dark stripes in the center of each petal. The blooming period is summer, and frost-free areas will bloom in fall.

Lily of the Nile is easy to grow, and it grows in well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. It can grow up to 4 feet 2 feet wide. But it is worth noting that this plant has low severe poison.

Hosta

The most striking thing about Hosta is its large leaves.

Hosta is a tufted perennial plant that can grow in USDA zones 3-9. This plant is native to Asia and can grow up to 1.5-2.5 feet tall. It blooms purple flowers on long stems in late spring or summer. Hosta has many varieties, and small varieties grow faster than large varieties.

Hosta does not need too much sunshine and thrives in shade and partial shade. Hosta will grow in well-drained, fertile soils rich in organic matter, so clay is unsuitable for growing hosta.

Although Hosta is a low-maintenance plant, slugs, snails, and foliar nematodes can destroy it. In addition, deer and rabbits also attack Hosta.

Part 3: Conclusion

I recommend these nine purple perennials because these purple plants are not invasive species. Plants of invasive species can destroy the soil and other plants. Planting is not only a great way to get up close and personal with nature, but it also helps to protect the environment.

These purple flower plants have many unique qualities. These colors range from deep royal purple to blue-purple. These plants come back to my garden every year. The green leaves on the garden ground create a lush background for the bright purple flowers.

Bibliography:
Genetic Resources of Herbaceous Ornamentals in North America. Jourdan, P. (2019). In: Greene, S., Williams, K., Khoury, C., Kantar, M., Marek, L. (eds) North American Crop Wild Relatives, Volume 2. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97121-6_18
Verbena spp. Sastry, K.S., Mandal, B., Hammond, J., Scott, S.W., Briddon, R.W. (2019). In: Encyclopedia of Plant Viruses and Viroids. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-3912-3_985
FLORAL DEVELOPMENT OF ASTILBE X ARENDSII. Pemberton, G. H. and De Hertogh, A.A. (1992). Acta Hortic. 325, 229-234. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1992.325.27
2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

My name is Arthur Mo. I am a gardener who loves gardening so much. I graduated from Ocean University of China. After I returned to Japan, I began to learn how to cultivate hydrangeas and daisies. Mr. Mitsuhiro (my master) taught me to sow, cut, fertilize, and manage diseases and pests. For nine years, I have been sharpening my planting skills. In 2022, my family and I moved to Florida. The warm climate of Florida gives me the impulse to continue cultivating hydrangeas and daisies. I began my gardening trip in my backyard and unswervingly contributed my efforts to these plants. I love these plants deeply, and at the same time, I also thank my family, my master, and friends for their understanding and support.