Purple Flowers or Flower Parts

Ooh la la! Oh my my! As sexy as Hot Lips but in an all new shade! The spikes of two-lipped tubular bright white flowers are tipped with a broad band of amethyst, between violet and purple, at the tips of the petals creating a dark and mysterious contrast. Flowers may be solid amethyst when the weather is cool and dreary but quickly revert to their two-toned splendor with a little sunshine. Amethyst Lips Salvia begins flowering in late spring or early summer and continues until fall, all the while attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Amethyst Lips Salvia, a hybrid of the two native species S. greggii and S. microphyllai, a.k a S. x jamesonii, develops into a naturally rounded, shrub-like perennial that may remain evergreen in mild winter climates, like zones 9B-10, but acts like a die-back perennial where temperatures fall much below about 30^oF. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in well-drained, average moist, fertile soils for maximum flower power. Item# 12473

The exceptionally dark purple to near black tubular flowers peek out of the mealy white 1" long tubular calyxes that are borne in whorls around equally white stems in summer and into fall. Andean Silver-Leaf Sage, Salvia discolor, is a shrubby naturally scandent or sprawling herbaceous perennial from the Peruvian Andes Mountains that grows to about 2-3 feet high and 2-3 feet wide. The ovate dark green glossy opposite foliage has a brightly contrasting white reverse and is borne along mealy white stems. The foliage, stems, and buds are fragrant when brushed or bruised. Also known as Peruvian or Concolor Sage it is widely grown as 3'x3' shrub in the warmer parts of Europe. It is listed as being tolerant of part shade but we find it to be most vigorous in full to mostly sunny conditions in average moist well-drained soils. Item# 12239

Masses of 1" wide, bluish purple daisies with a yellow-eye absolutely cover these plants for weeks in late summer and fall attracting bees and other smaller pollinators. The Aromatic Aster, Symphyotrichum oblongifolius, is a low mounding perennial that develops into a compact shrub-like plant by flowering time. Excellent fall color for the garden as well as drought tolerance and pest and disease resistance make this an excellent addition to the perennial or wildflower border as well as for additions to low maintenance landscapes. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist, well-drained soil.Caterpillar host: Field Crescent, Pearl Crescent, Texan Crescent, Roadside Checkerspot, Hoffman's Checkerspot, and American Lady. Item# 10075

One of the most amazing Hydrangea's as each flower petal is slightly cupped producing a much different effect as the large, long lasting flower clusters of deep blue or pink emerge in late spring. A must for any Hydrangea lover and a beautiful cut flower! Ayesha is truly one of our favorites! According to Dr. Michael Dirr it may also be sold under the names Silver Slipper and Uzu Ajisai. item # 9379.

Medium height and sterile! Aztec Purple™ Ruellia or Mexican Petunia produces purple trumpets that are born freely from late spring or early summer until first frost to year round under warm tropical conditions atop medium-sized sturdy stems. This Mexican Petunia is a relatively new, compact, seed and pollen sterile selection that can spend more energy on flowering instead of adding unwanted seedlings to the garden. It is a naturally evergreen, rhizomatous or spreading, tropical perennial that is grown as a die-back perennial in zones 8-9. It can be grown as a low maintenance container specimen plant, in mixed container gardens, as well as in the garden and landscape. It can also be used as a medium-sized groundcover in difficult sites. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Provide Mexican Petunias with a full to part sun site in an average moist to wet, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12780

The dense whorled, almost ball-like clusters of 2" long tubular, rich purple flowers are subtended by darker fuchsia and purple bracts. The flowers are short sturdy stems to about 10-12" high beginning in late spring to early summer and attracting hummingbirds, larger butterflies, hummingbird moths, and bees. Balmy™ Purple Beebalm, a hybrid developed from US native species, was selected for its compact habit and rich flower color. Beebalm or Monarda are slowly spreading hardy perennials that generally prefer a moist to average moist, fertile soil, optimally in full sun with good air circulation. The seeds may also enjoyed by songbirds and smaller mammals. Images courtesy of Darwin Perennials®, all rights reserved. Item# 13130

Spikes of 1" long, hooded, tubular, dark blue-violet flowers with a white bee-guide on the lower lip are produced beginning in about midspring and continuing into midsummer attracting mainly bees, occasional butterflies, and potentially hummingbirds. Barbat or Barbed Skullcap, Scutellaria barbata, is a clump-forming, herbaceous perennial growing to about 12-18" high and is cloaked in medium to deep green foliage. Provide a moist to average moist, fertile soil in a full sun to partly shaded site for optimum vigor and flowering. May reseed on exposed soils. Item# 13196

A succession of red tubular blooms that end in a purple bat-like 'face' are topped by a pair of glowing red 'ears' creating the interesting 'bat face' look. Batface Cuphea, or Georgia Scarlet Batface Cuphea, is a tough and reliable low mounding perennial which blooms from late spring to frost. Provide a well-drained soil with full to mostly sun for the best results. An excellent choice for hummingbirds, mixed containers, hanging baskets, and in mass plantings. Item# 1220

Tall long-lasting spikes of lavender and purple flowers are held on sturdy stems above the beautiful rich glossy green foliage in late summer and fall. Bear's Breeches is an easy to grow slowly spreading perennial that lends its form, flowers, and foliage to the shaded garden, landscape, and even as a container plant. The leaf pattern of Acanthus mollis was used extensively in Greek architecture. Provide good to average drainage, moderate fertility and average moisture for optimum growth and flowering. Item# 3003

Large rounded ball-like clusters are adorned with dense rings of tubular lavender to white flowers in late spring to summer on sturdy 3-4' high stems attracting hummingbirds and Swallowtail butterflies. Beebalm ro Wild Bergamont, Monarda fistulosa, is a winter deciduous, herbaceous, native, clump forming to slowly spreading rhizomatous perennial with lightly fragrant medium green foliage. This is a relatively drought resistant low maintenance plant once fully established and we normally see it in moist but well-drained soils here in the Pineywoods. Beebalm is native throughout the US except for the western most states. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in average to well-drained, average moist soils for optimum vigor and flowering. It makes an easy addition to garden and landscape or add it to naturalized settings like meadows, prairies, and roadside plantings. Item# 10484

The dense purple to reddish purple spikes are adorned with nectar rich, blue, short-tubular flowers and are produced from late spring to fall attracting a variety of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and low flying hummingbirds. Beelicious® Purple Agastache is a small herbaceous perennial selected for its rich green fragrant foliage, shorter more compact densely branching habit, large flower spikes, as well as summerlong flower power. It is somewhat reminiscent of Black Adder but in a more compact size that is better suited to small to medium sized container gardens as well as a long flowering addition to the sunny garden or landscape. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in a well-drained sandy soil for optimum vigor and flowering as well as the plant's longevity. Image courtesy of Concept Plants, all rights reserved. Item# 13387

Highly mildew resistant and a dwarf compact habit! The dense whorled clusters of 2" long, deep violet, pollinator attracting, tubular flowers are held atop sturdy 12-18" high stems against the foil of purple-tinged, medium to deep green fragrant foliage. Bee-You® Bee Pretty™ Beebalm is a compact selection of this US native, clump-forming, slowly spreading perennial. Its small stature lends it to use as a container plant as well as a useful component of the garden and landscape. Provide ample sunlight in a moist but well-drained, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Flowering begins earlier in the warmer portions of its range and later in cooler regions. The flowers of Monarda are excellent for attracting hummingbirds and larger butterflies. Photos courtesy of Plants Nouveau, all rights reserved. Item# 12863

The extra large flowers of Betty Magnolia can be up to 8" across and are pinkish purple to reddish purple on the outside and are white to near white on the inside. This is a vigorous growing Magnolia that typically grows as wide as it is tall with a naturally rounded habit on mature plants. Like the other 'Little Girls' in this series from the US National Arboretum, Betty flowers later minimizing the chance of freeze damage to the flowers. Caterpillar host: Western Tiger Swallowtail. Item# 11483

White tubular blooms emerge from tall, velvety, purple calyxes on dense flower spikes from late summer to fall. This is considered to be the normal color form for the species. Soft velvety medium to gray-green foliage. Mexican Sage bush is a drought tolerant, sun and heat loving reliable clump forming perennial that is considered deer proof. Item# 10284.

Showy deep violet-purple, fragrant spikes, to 8" long, are held at the ends of the arching, woody stems. Black Knight Butterfly Bush is an exceptionally free-flowering shrub, producing the intensely deep purple, fragrant flowers  from spring until fall. An excellent choice for butterfly gardens as well as providing nectar for a host of other pollinators including hummingbirds. Black Knight, an RHS Award of Garden Merit winner, is still one of the most strikingly colored and popular of all Buddlejas grown today. Item# 322.

Dense clouds of pinkish-purplish airy flowers top the sturdy 4-1/2 to 6' high stems in mid to late spring attracting a variety of smaller pollinators all atop a neat lacy mound of Columbine-like bluish-green foliage. Black Stockings Meadow Rue, a Terra-Nova Nurseries hybrid Thalictrum introduction, is a hardy, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial that is sure to make a statement in the spring garden or landscape. *Meadow Rue are tolerant of full sun in areas with cool summers but may do best with midday and afternoon shade or filtered shade in hot summer climates. We actually grow them under deciduous shade to good effect here in 8B. Meadow-Rue generally prefers a moist, well-drained, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Flowering may be limited the first season but will increase with each year as the plants become better established. Black Stockings Meadow Rue was selected as an RHS Award of Garden Merit winner. Photos courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc., www.terranovanurseries.com, all rights reserved. Item# 13171

The dark purple to deep burgundy foliage nearly black foliage of this sturdy perennial is topped by spikes of sweetly contrasting purple to lilac flowers in mid to late spring. Flowers attract native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Blackbeard Penstemon or Beardtongue is hybrid selection of our native species (Penstemon species are found native only in North America) whose intensely colored foliage is sure to provide wonderful contrast with surrounding perennials in the garden and landscape or use it as a specimen in containers. Provide a full to mostly sunny location for the darkest foliage coloration and a well-drained, average moist soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Blackbeard Penstemon was selected not only for its foliage color but also for its compact habit and flower power. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 11904

Sturdy spikes of brilliant blue to lavender-blue, two-lipped flowers are borne for an exceptionally long period in late summer and into fall on this hardy, native, clump-forming perennial. Suitable for consistently moist to wet soils. The Blue Cardinal Flower is enjoyed by hummingbirds, butterflies, and an variety of other pollinators as well as making a beautiful cut flower. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries. Item# 10159.

Large, 3-4", blue, cornflower-like daisies are born in summer on this durable and reliable US native perennial. Stoke's Aster comes highly recommended and its easy to see why with moderate drought resistance, few pest or disease problems, deer and rabbit resistance and it revels in the heat and sun of our southern summers. Plants readily multiply into dense clumps. Super easy and tough. Item# 1212.

The Blue Glory Vine produces 2-1/2" wide purple trumpets with yellow throats that are produced freely from spring to fall. A mounding and upright to spreading perennial to small (3-4'H) rambling climber, it is one of our favorite root hardy perennials for adding purple to a semi-shady area of the garden or in containers and it has excellent flower power. The Blue Glory Vine is happy in light shade to partial sun conditions but seems to prefer midday to afternoon shade in hot summer climates. It makes an easy container plant where not hardy. Item# 327