Purple flowering shrubs are probably the solution to make your garden look more interestingly attractive. Whether you desire to have some purple colored flowers or need to combine them with other shades, shrubs that produce flowers are an excellent choice.
First off, this is a group of flowering plants that beautify and enhance the garden. The purple and violet shades create an impact that can definitely catch pairs of eyes. They surely serve as decoration to any garden or landscaping.
In addition, many purple flowers are highly attractive to insect pollinators. The process of pollination is imperative as this helps quicken and intensify the fertilization and production of seeds. And who wouldn’t want their garden to be filled by colorful butterflies or cute hummingbirds?
Let’s take a look of the prettiest, most blooming purple flowering shrubs below.
10 Purple Flowering Shrubs
1. Abelia
Abelia is a shrub that produces small but beautiful flowers. There are varieties of this that include one that bloom purple colored flowers.
It is a late spring bloomer that promises not only pretty foliage but also spicy-sweet fragrance. The bell shaped flowers have a blend of purple and white colors with yellow stamens. This purple flowering shrub survives well in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 9.
2. Bougainvillea
Among the most commonly easily grown purple flowering shrubs is the Bougainvillea. This plant has two general types: single bloomer and double bloomer.
While you may mix other colors such as white or pink, the purple flowers create a vibrant look especially that this is a climbing shrub that grows so high and spreads widely.
It is best to plant them nearby the fences or better add support to keep the thin branches upright. The secret to having more flowers is to let them dry a little. It’s important that you control their water intake.
3. Buddleia Davidii/Butterfly Bush
Buddleia Davidii, which is otherwise known by the names Butterfly Bush and Summer Lilac, is another pretty purple flowering shrub you may consider.
It is beautiful and distinctive with its large clusters of flowers that bloom all spring season long. The fragrant flowers attract butterflies; hence, the name.
Like most purple flowering shrubs, Butterfly Bush is a hardy plant that grows in zones 5 to 9. It requires well drained soil and full sunlight.
4. Caryopteris
Blue Balloon and Beyond Midnight are just a couple of the varieties of Caryopteris that are included on this list. They may look a little bluish than other purple flowering shrubs but they are cute to add to your garden, patio or backyard landscape.
This flower tolerates sun, and it does need enough full light. It grows well in hardy zones 5 to 9. It typically blooms from later summer to fall. This attracts bees and butterflies as pollinators.
5. Crape Myrtle
One of the easiest purple flowering shrubs to cultivate is the Crape Myrtle. That is because of the fact that it is cold and warm hardy, being able to tolerate zones from 5 to 10.
It needs acidic soil for it to thrive well and produces quality flowers. It also requires full sun. If these are met, it produces beautiful purple shaded flowers in spring.
6. Golden Dewdrops
Well grown in zones 9 to 11, Golden Dewdrops is a beautiful flower you can plant for decorative purposes or a more botanical reason. It is a shrub that grows as high as 6 feet, as well as spread to a maximum width of 6.
For better blooms of its purple flowers, this must be exposed to sun all day long. You have the option to control its shape by simply pruning, but must be regulated.
7. Hydrangea
It is not new to hear Hydrangeas. This is a very popular ornamental plant with its beautiful flowers among the favorite in the world. It is also one of the pretty purple flowering shrubs you can grow, as long as it’s from zones 3 to 8.
What makes this shrub standout is its large round clusters of three to five petalled flower heads. For best quality and abundant blooms, this must be exposed to sunlight at least 4 hours a day.
As long as it’s planted in the right soil, this plant requires little water. In fact, it cannot stand wet soil, so must be drained well. For areas with warmer temperature, have it water soaked once a week.
8. Lilacs
If you want little basic care and maintenance, lilac is among those purple flowering shrubs. You can grow them from zone 3 to 9 with slightly alkaline soil.
This best thrives in a full sun area, as it needs at least 6 hours of natural light on a daily basis. Make sure that you give some space between each plant to let air circulate well and prevent the development of powdery mildew that can ultimately damage the plant.
This beautiful flowering plant is fragrant, making it a good choice to add to sidewalks, patios, entrance, and other landscaping areas.
9. Rhododendron
Rhododendron blooms in a fresh bouquet. This purple colored flower is another on the list that you may consider growing in your garden. It survives in zones 4 to 9 with acidic soil. Full sun is needed for both the leaves and flowers to turn up in their quality texture and colors.
10. Weigela
If you prefer a much taller shrub, Weigela is a great plant to grow. This can extend from 4 feet, which is typical, up to 6 feet high. It also has a wide foliage spreading about 5 feet.
This purple flowering producing plant blooms in late spring and re-blooms until frost. Hardy zones 4 to 8 with partial to full sunlight is required.
Basic Ways on How to Plant and Care for Purple Flowering Shrubs
For first timers, this next short list is all about DIY planting flowering shrubs.
Step 1 – Gather necessary tools.
You need the essential tools to begin planting any of the purple flowering shrubs as listed above. These include shovel, trowel, garden hose, as well as water, mulch, and of course, your choice of shrub varieties or species.
Tools:
- Garden Hose
- Trowel
- Shovel
Materials:
- Water
- Mulch
- Shrubs
Step 2 – Select the right location
You must have some space where to grow shrubs. Remember that this type of plant grows really high and spreads wider than others. Another consideration is the view.
Does it give a more attractive look or block the beautiful from a distance? The keypoint here is that you need to find the best location that serves its main purpose, and as long as it is situated in a soil with the right condition.
Step 3 – Dig a hole
The normal measurement of a hole to make must be 2 feet to 3 feet wide. This allows the root ball to have enough room that eventually assists in growing and spreading. Ensure that the height and depth must be equal.
Step 4 – Place the shrub into the hole
Once you make the perfect hole, place your chosen shrub. Check if you need to loosen the roots. If it’s looking good, fill the hole with native soil (the same removed from digging). Firmly and gently press the soil.
Step 5 – Water
Right after planting the shrub and covering the hole with soil, it’s very important that you water it. Doing this hydrates the plant and minimizes the shock of the roots during transplanting.
Apply the needed amount of water to keep its moisture depending on the requirement throughout its growing process.
Step 6 – Add mulch
Around the base of the shrub must be at least a 2-inch layer of mulch. It helps retain moisture on the soil and also prevents the presence of weeds. But do not place at the base of the trunk or this can cause a problem later on. Add more mulch if the previous batch starts decomposing.
Growing purple flowering shrubs is manageable even for beginners. With the basic knowledge and gardening skills, this activity can become fun. You will soon embrace the regularity of taking good care of plants like flowering shrubs.
From the list of purple flowering shrubs listed above, which ones do you think that can thrive well in your place? What catches your interest the most? Let us know in the comment!