What is a Shrub With Mostly Purple Flower?

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By Ashley Hanson

Updated: Mar 29, 2024

8 min read

Purple Flower Bush
Photo: @misty.meadows_farm

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    Consider incorporating purple-flowering or purple-foliage shrubs into your landscape if you love seeing more colors in nature other than green. Purple. A lot of shrubs have different shades of purple flower capable of providing a gradient garden.

    While most purple shrubs thrive in full sun, some tolerate partial shade. Explore various options to have the purple flowering bush identified in your garden, adding year-round color and a sense of splendor and glory.

    The World of Azaleas

    Azaleas Purple Flower Bush
    Photo: @capturando_mardel

    Azaleas, belonging to the Rhododendron spp., are versatile shrubs native to China and Japan, featuring both evergreen and deciduous varieties. With a compact size of 1-2 feet, they flourish in partial sun to full shade conditions.

    These popular flowering shrubs boast vibrant trumpet-shaped flowers in an array of hues, from purple to pink, red, white, and yellow, lending them a tropical allure. Their dense floral display extends across the shrub, with deciduous types proving stronger than their evergreen counterparts, blooming from spring to fall.

    The Fragrance of Blue Mist Spiraea

    Blue Mist Spiraea, scientifically known as Caryopteris, is a deciduous shrub native to East Asia, ranging from 1-3 feet tall or 3-8 feet tall. Thriving in full sun, this shrub produces purple flowers that resemble misty petals, emitting a fragrant scent.

    Blue Mist Spiraea
    Photo: @mybalconygarden

    Originally silver-green with loose buds, it now comes in various varieties with tighter flower clusters and foliage ranging from darker green to silver and brighter yellow-green.

    A Colorful Butterfly Bush

    The Butterfly Bush, scientifically known as Davidii, is a deciduous shrub originating from China. Typically growing between 5-8 feet tall, it thrives in full sun.

    Purple Butterfly Bush
    Photo: @thefarmatgreenvillage

    Incorporate it into your butterfly garden for its striking purple flowers, accompanied by long bright green leaves. This flexible shrub attracts pollinators throughout the summer and fall. It can be exotic, prioritizing well-drained yet moist, loamy, sandy soil for optimal growth.

    The Beauty of Bush Clover- Thunbergii

    Consider the bush clover - thunbergii if you reside in a warmer region. This deciduous shrub, originating from Asia and Australia, reaches a height of 4-5 feet. It thrives in partial to full sun.

    Purple Bush Clover
    Photo: Fine Gardening

    Sporting vibrant pink-purple flowers resembling peas, they drape elegantly from silver-green, vine-like branches. The shrub's edible seed pods offer a peppery flavor. Soil preferences are flexible as long as it remains moist and well-draining.

    Placement of Lavender

    Situating lavender, scientifically known as Lavandula angustifolia, in a sunny location, ideally on the south or southwest side of your garden. Originating from Europe, this deciduous herb shrub typically reaches heights of 2-3 feet.

    Lavender Flowers
    Photo: @halifaxseed

    Thriving in full sun and suitable for plant zones 5-9, it can be cultivated as a hedge shrub and complements various plants in your garden, whether flowers, vegetables, or herbs. With its silvery green foliage and long spikes of tiny 5-petal flowers, lavender adds aesthetic appeal.

    Charming Addition Leptodermis

    Leptodermis, a delightful member of the Rubiaceae family, is a deciduous shrub originating from Central and South Asia.

    Leptodermis Bush
    Photo: @bluestoneperenn

    With a compact growth habit, it produces charming clusters of lilac-hued tubular flowers. Its scientific name is Leptodermis oblonga, and it typically reaches heights of 1.5 to 3 feet.

    Embracing the Lilac

    Syringa cultivars, the Lilac, known for their rich purple hues, are essential for purple-loving gardeners.

    Lilac Bush
    Photo: @tesselaarplants

    These plants, typically 8 to 16 feet tall with simple deciduous leaves, bear fragrant clusters of spring blooms in various shades of purple, from the classic LilacLilac to the deeper tones. While there are some varieties in white, pink, and yellow, the focus remains on the regal purple shades.

    Chaste Tree - A Temperature Plant

    Chaste Tree, scientifically known as Vitex spp., is a deciduous shrub or small tree originating from South Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Growing up to 8-10 feet tall, it thrives in full to partial sun.

    Chaste Tree as a Bush
    Photo: @underwaterdollhouse

    Unlike the tropical bush clover with warm purple blooms, the Chaste Tree boasts cool purple flowers and is suited to temperate climates. Its elongated leaves and flower clusters resemble flowering sage, and there are various blue-purple varieties available. It blooms from summer to fall, attracting diverse pollinators with its vibrant flower heads.

    Versatile Beauty of Clematis Betty Corning

    With hundreds of species and countless hybrids available, Clematis offers a diverse range of flowers, from star-shaped to bell-shaped blooms, in shades ranging from light lavender to papery pointed petals.

    Purple Clematis Bush
    Photo: @cloverbellfarm

    Betty Corning is particularly recommended for its light lavender blooms. Plant it near a trellis to encourage vine growth or in hanging pots for a flowing effect.

    Striking Beauty Bush of Daphne Odora Rogbret

    The Evergreen or deciduous shrub originally from Central and Southern Europe, North Africa, and Asia grows to 3 to 4 feet. Daphne Marianne, also known as Daphne odora Rogbret, adds elegance to any garden with its glossy leaves adorned with yellow and green stripes.

    Purple Daphne Odora
    Photo: @seattlecenter

    The clusters of fragrant white flowers, tinged with pale purple or pink, stand out against the foliage, featuring tubular buds with star-shaped petals. This late winter bloomer attracts various pollinators, showcasing its beauty in February and March.

    Vibrant Shrub of the Golden Dewdrop 

    Thriving in full sun, its long drooping branches adorned with yellow berries and clusters of small, 5-petal flowers in blue or purple, this shrub lives up to its name.

    Vibrant Shrub of the Golden Dewdrop 
    Photo: @aby_views

    Despite its tropical origins, it can become exotic in certain regions, such as southern Australia. Regular pruning is recommended to control its growth, but it can also be left to grow freely.

    Heather The Hard Shrub

    Heather, scientifically named Calluna vulgaris, is a deciduous shrub originating from Northern and Western Europe. It typically grows to a height of 1.5-2 feet and thrives in partial to full sun within plant zones 4-8.

    Calluna vulgaris bush
    Photo: @serendipia.vivero

    Renowned for its enduring, colored blooms, Heather displays a spectrum of colors, including purple, red, orange, yellow, pink, and white. It has bell-shaped flowers with long, erect stems. Blooming from late summer through fall, Heather favors acidic soil and cooler climates.

    Evergreen Hebe for Garden

    Hebe, hailing from the Plantaginaceae family, are evergreen shrubs standing between 1.5 to 2 feet tall. Scientifically known as Hebe spp. These plants are deciduous shrubs native to Eastern and Southwestern North America, thriving in zones 3-9.

    Plantaginaceae Bush
    Photo: @floramongolia

    With their spiked clusters of blossoms and vibrant foliage, Hebe varieties, numbering over 100, offer a spectrum of colors, including purple, red, pink, blue, and white. Varieties with smaller leaves and a low growth habit are more resilient in cooler climates. They prefer ample sunlight and well-drained soil for continuous blooming throughout summer and fall, thriving best in full light and avoiding excessive shade to prevent leggy growth.

    Color Magic of Hydrangea

    Hydrangea possesses a unique ability to absorb aluminum, identified scientifically as Hydrangea spp. It is a deciduous shrub originating from Asia and North America, typically reaching heights between 4 and 15 feet. It thrives in partial to full sun exposure within plant zones 5-9.

    Hydrangea
    Photo: @hillcottages

    Commonly, purple-flowered Hydrangeas manifest in two main types: Hydrangea macrophylla and Hydrangea serrata. Hydrangea macrophylla displays larger petals and allows for color manipulation of flowers by adjusting soil pH, offering a spectrum of hues including purple, blue, red, pink, white, and green.

    Characteristics of Anne Magnolias

    Anne magnolia, renowned for its vibrant pink-purple goblet-shaped blossoms, stands out as a late spring bloomer compared to its predecessor.

    Anne Magnolias
    Photo: Katob427

    Possessing the classic green foliage characteristic of magnolias, it transitions to golden hues in autumn. This sizable shrub, known for its purple flowers, offers versatility, easily shaped into either a striking shrub or a petite tree.

    The Beauty of Paper Flower

    For those residing in warmer regions, consider exploring this shrub that thrives in heat! Paper Flower boasts teardrop-shaped leaves and delicate stems. Its actual blooms consist of tiny white flowers encircled by three bracts resembling petals, available in a spectrum of hues such as purple, red, orange, yellow, pink, white, and various combinations.

    Purple Paper Flower Bougainvillea
    Photo: @bloomscapebybeth

    Depending on your preferences, cultivate it as a vine, shrub, or petite tree. Compact varieties of this purple-flowering plant are ideal for containers. Additionally, Paper Flowers can be cultivated as a hanging plant or used as a privacy hedge, depending on the variant.

    In regions with mild winters, Paper Flower blossoms year-round, otherwise, it flowers from spring to autumn. It thrives in sunny, warm conditions and prefers moist, well-drained soil with an acidic pH level.

    The World of Roses

    The World of Roses
    Photo: @Flickr

    Rose Bush

    Rose bushes bloom profusely for extended periods, often displaying large and exquisitely colored flowers. They belong to the Rosa spp. Species categorized as deciduous shrubs with origins spanning North America, Asia, and Europe.

    Purple roses, though not naturally occurring, are available as hybrids, offering a spectrum from pastel lavender to deep plum. With hundreds of rose species available, classic rose bushes remain a timeless choice for gardeners. Optimal growth conditions include neutral, moist, loamy soil and regular watering. Pruning at the start of the growing season encourages health and continual blooming from spring to fall.

    Rose of Sharon

    Growing 8 to 12 feet tall, it prefers partial to full sun exposure, suited for plant zones 5 to 9. Distinguished by its tough, woody branches and dark green leaves, Rose of Sharon produces saucer-like flowers with five papery petals in shades of red, blue, pink, purple, and white.

    Tea Rose

    Tea Roses are deciduous shrubs also found in North America, Asia, and Europe. Growing 2 to 8 feet tall, they thrive in full sun exposure, suited for plant zones 5 to 9.

    A hybrid of rose bushes and classic tea roses, they offer a blend of shrub rose hardiness with the smaller fragrant flowers of tea roses. Available in various colors, tea roses feature waxy stems, glossy leaves, and minimal thorns.

    Cultivating Weigela- Purple Flower Bush

    Purple Weigela
    Photo: Garden Crossings

    Weigela, a type of shrub with dark foliage, typically reaches heights of 3 to 10 feet and often displays pink funnel-shaped flowers. Varieties like Dark Horse and Wine and Roses feature deep purple leaves, providing a striking contrast to the blooms. To ensure optimal flowering, prune your weigela by half every other year after it has finished flowering.

    Conclusion

    Purple holds a unique allure, not just visually but also symbolically linked to royalty and status. You can add some stunning purple blooms to your outdoor area; think about opting for shrubs that boast such flowers. Unlike trees, shrubs are compact, making them perfect for smaller yards or gardens.

    FAQs

    What Are the Purple Bushes Called?

    Some of the most cherished purple bushes commonly found in gardens are Lilacs, Lavender, Rose of Sharon, Hebe and Hydrangeas.

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