Purple flowering plants are undeniably striking and can be a favourite with gardeners. Teamed with white and yellow flowering plants, these beauties look stunning. Here’s our top 10 purple flowering plants for warm climates.
1. Duranta repens ‘Geisha Girl’ – Pigeon Berry
This stunning form of Duranta repens has deep blueish purple delicately fragranced flowers that are made even more lovely by the white centres and borders of white on the wavy flower petals.
Flowers are produced on the ends of its cascading branches during Spring, Summer and Autumn. This shrub grows to around 2m in height and width with leaves of glossy green.
Find out more2. Tibouchina ‘Jules’ – Lasiandra/Glory Bush
Tibouchina ‘Jules’ is an evergreen shrub with large, vivid purple flowers which are present during Spring and Summer and sporadically throughout Autumn and Winter.
This shrub has square stems and velvety, veined, deep green leaves which make the perfect backdrop to the flowers. Jules grows to 1m in width and height ideally in warm temperate to tropical gardens.
Find out more3. Westringia fruticosa ‘Zena’ – Coastal Rosemary
Westringia fruticosa ‘Zena’ is a lovely, rounded, evergreen Australian native shrub that displays dense grey-green foliage.
A very hardy specimen, the Coastal Rosemary grows to a height and width of 1m and produces a mass of small, delicate lilac flowers for long periods, the bulk of which appear during Spring and Summer.
Find out more4. Plectranthus saccatus – Spurflower
A spreading, fast growing shrubby perennial that grows to approximately 60cm in high and 50cm wide.
The leaves are dark green in colour with interesting and contrasting purple undersides. There are many cultivars which produce deep pink/purple flowers that appear during the warmer months. Plectranthus saccatus ‘Velvet Lady’ is a popular cultivar with a profusion of lovely cherry coloured flowers (pictured).
Find out more5. Brunfelsia latifolia – Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
Brunfelsia latifolia is an evergreen shrub with an abundance of fragrant blooms appearing in late Winter and throughout Spring. Its masses of blossoms are violet coloured when they first appear, fading to pale purple/lavender then white as the flower ages. All of these colours can be seen on the bush at any one time.
Be warned… all parts of this shrub are highly poisonous to dogs, particularly the berries.
Find out more6. Liriope muscari ‘Isabella’
Liriope muscari makes an excellent addition to any garden especially when used as a ground cover or border.
The lush-looking, deep green strappy leaves combined with flower stalks covered in pale lilac flowers make this a favourite for adding interest and texture. The fact that ‘Isabella’ can be grown in full sun to heavy shade makes this little gem a must!
Find out more7. Scaevola aemula – Fanflower
This Australian native ground cover has a cascading growth habit that makes it ideal for hanging baskets and pots.
An abundance of deep mauve, fan-shaped flowers cover the plant from Spring through to Summer and then occasionally during the cooler months. Being heat and drought tolerant, it’s a must for a hot sunny spot in need of a splash of colour.
8. Lavandula sp. – Lavender
Love it or hate it, it would be remiss of me not to include Lavender, arguably the most renowned of all the purple flowering plants.
The highly aromatic, silvery-green foliage and flower spikes, which have long been prized for their oil, make it a popular choice for borders, patio areas and pathways where the fragrance can be enjoyed. There are a multitude of cultivars available which generally flower though Spring and into Summer.
9. Echium candicans – Pride of Madeira
Pride of Madeira is quite a sight to see when flowering. It is grown for its tall stalks which carry striking purple-blue cone-shaped flowers in late Spring and Summer.
An attractive evergreen perennial with greyish-green foliage, Pride of Madeira is a hardy plant but can be short lived. It grows to around 2m in height and is renowned for its ability to attract bees.
10. Heliotropium sp. – Heliotrope, Cherry Pie
Heliotropes are easy care perennials which are grown for their lovely, sweet fragrant flowers. The scent is often compared to Cherry Pie (hence the common name) or vanilla.
Flowering in late Spring to Autumn, the abundance of purple flower clusters rise above the wrinkled foliage producing quite a lovely sight. Growing to around 1m in height, it’s a welcome addition to most warm climate gardens.
