Purple Flowers or Flower Parts

An exceptionally cold hardy and easy to grow bromeliad! The Queen's Tears Bromeliad produces large arching stems covered in big showy pink bracts the last bracts on the stems open to reveal hanging clusters of green flowers with delicately recurving petals edged in deep bluish purple, contrasting bright yellow stamens along with matching pink calyxes. The tropical, nectar rich flowers are produced in mid winter. The blue gray rosettes of foliage provide excellent contrast for the brightly colored flower spikes. Queen's Tears readily multiplies by rhizomes creating a dense mass of foliage and can be grown in a well draining soil or as a semi-epiphyte on a board. Item# 11117

Masses of 1" wide yellow-eyed bluish purple daisies absolutely cover this plant for weeks in late summer and fall. Raydon's Favorite Aromatic Aster, a selection of Symphyotrichum oblongifolium and the big brother of the slightly more compact October Skies, is a medium-sized, herbaceous, densely mounding shrub-like perennial that matures to about 3' x 3' at the time of flowering. 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 and landscape. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators but seems to be especially popular with bees. Caterpillar host: Field Crescent, Pearl Crescent, Texan Crescent, Roadside Checkerspot, Hoffman's Checkerspot, and American Lady. Prefers good to excellent drainage and a full to mostly sunny site for optimum vigor and flowering. Named the 2016 Plant of the Year by the Garden Club of America and selected for the 2003 Theodore Klein Award. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13164

Large clusters of long-lasting, light lavender, mauve, to purple calyxes serve as the backdrop for the contrasting deep red, 1" wide, butterfly shaped flowers that are produced throughout the warmer months of the year, as early as midspring to about mid fall. The Red Bleeding Heart Vine, Clerodendrum x speciosum, is a naturally evergreen, heirloom, twining, tropical climber that is one of the better and more reliable flowering vines for shaded areas, although it can also take *full sun, if acclimated, where it may be even more floriferous, and it attracts butterflies and likely hummingbirds. I have always found it interesting that many of the butterfly and moth pollinated species in the genus Clerodendrum appropriately have butterfly shaped flowers. The colorful bracts have the deepest purple coloration in full to partial sun conditions. Provide the Red Bleeding Heart Vine with a moist to average moist, fertile, average to well-drained soil for optimum vigor and flowering. This is a hybrid of the White Bleeding Heart Vine, C. thompsonae, and the Flaming Glory Bower Vine, C. splendens. Item# 599

Small spike-like racemes composed of numerous 1-1/2" long, tubular, deep cherry red flowers are produced from spring to frost to potentially year-round under warm tropical conditions potentially attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Red Fountains Skullcap, a selection of Scutellaria longifolia, is a mounding, naturally evergreen, herbaceous perennial perfectly suited for hanging baskets or container culture as a spiller or filler and is considered to be a root hardy, dieback perennial into zone 8. It can also be utilized as a groundcover for near the front of the border or landscape. Hanging basket culture will bring the nectar rich flowers within easy reach for hummingbirds. Provide an average moist to moist, fertile soil in full sun to partly shaded conditions for optimum vigor and flowering. Provide an organic mulch to protect the crown in areas where freezes occur if it is intended to be grown as a perennial. Item# 1201

Red Fountains Skullcap is considered by some to be hardy to zone 8A if provided with a breathable but insulative winter mulch like pine straw (a.k.a. pine needles).

18-24" high spikes are adorned with 1" long, tubular, purple buds that open to display 3 large lower lips and 2 recurving upper lips and are produced in fall attracting butterflies, larger bees, and hummingbirds. Reverchon's Lobelia, Lobelia reverchonii, is a rosette forming, native, herbaceous perennial to biennial and is adorned with deep green, lanceolate foliage and obviously hairy stems. This species is found in consistently moist to wet sites, like pitcher plant bogs, in eastern Texas and western Louisiana. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a wet to moist, sandy to loamy soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 13563

Large rounded to pyramidal clusters of lightly fragrant, bright purplish-pink flowers that are produced atop the sturdy stems attracting mainly butterflies. The show begins in early summer and lasts for several weeks and potentially longer if plants are deadheaded. Robert Poore Garden Phlox, a Mississippi selection of Phlox paniculata, is a disease resistant, clump forming, upright growing, herbaceous, native perennial growing to about 3' high and 1-2' wide. Garden Phlox will do best in an open, full sun to partially shaded site, with a well-draining, rich and fertile, acidic soil with average moisture and an organic mulch is highly recommended. Robert Poore is one of only a handful of Garden Phlox cultivars recommended for southern gardens by noted Texas plantsman Greg Grant. Item# 10161

A compact hydrangea sporting large flower heads of rich purple to shades of magenta florets depending on soil ph. Royal Purple Big Leaf Hydrangea is still considered to be one of the darkest colored varieties around. It's compact habit lends it to confined spaces, smaller gardens and even container culture. Provide a humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil and grow it where it gets mid-day shade. Item# 629

The large deep purplish red petals of Ruby Glow Passionflower are topped with a halo of deep bluish purple filaments. A heady sweet fragrance fills the air when this beautiful passionvine is in flower and it may produce very large, up to 3"W x 5"L, yellow tropical fruit if the flowers are cross pollinated by another species, cultivar, or seedling passionflower. Ruby Glow is a vigorous growing, heat loving tropical vine that can reach 20'H under good conditions. Caterpillar host: Gulf Fritillary, Julia Butterfly, Variegated Fritillary, and Zebra Longwing. Item# 631.

The arching spikes of 1" long, velvety, tubular, purple flowers emerge from long lasting, velvety, purple calyxes in late summer and into fall, and potentially spring where plants are protected from freezing temperatures, attracting Monarch butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. Santa Barbara Mexican Bush Sage, a dwarf selection of Salvia leucantha, is a multi-stemmed, clump forming and slowly spreading perennial whose 2' high, upright to slightly arching stems are cloaked in velvety, narrow lance-shaped, green to gray-green foliage that adorns the young white stems. This is a heat and sunloving, salt tolerant, and deer proof plant that typically does best in an average moist, well-draining soils but are somewhat drought resistant once fully established. Its uniform habit lends it to use in formal to informal garden and landscape settings as well as medium to large containers. It is considered reliably hardy in zones 8-10 and it can be enjoyed as an annual in colder winter regions. In areas that experience hard freezes, plant out as early in the growing season as possible to ensure a strong crown before frost arrives and a breathable winter mulch and excellent drainage will further help to ensure winter survival. Item# 9094

1-1/2" long, deep orange tubular flowers with lavender upper petals and exerted stamens give this cute Cuphea the 'batface' look and are produced throughout the warmer months of the year, or year round where winters are frost free. The flowers attract loads of hummingbirds and other long-tongued pollinators. This is a bushy shrub-like and herbaceous, tender perennial suitable for sunny outdoor locations and can be overwintered in bright indoor locations where not hardy. Enjoy Schumann's Cuphea as a container plant or in the garden. Provide a well-drained, moderately fertile soil for the best results. Item# 10702.

Deep blue falls, standards, and style arms are accented with slightly darker veining and a contrasting orange signal. Sea Knight Louisiana Iris is a compact growing plant reaching about 20-26" high and flowers in early midseason. Louisiana Irises are easy and adaptable, rhizomatous perennials with fans of deep green sword-like foliage and seem as at home in standing water as they do in average moist garden soils. Remember that these plants do most of their growing in fall and winter and so this is when they should be fed and fall is also a great time to divide plants if desired. Provide a full to mostly sunny site for optimum vigor and flowering. Sea Knight was awarded the High Commmendation in 1985. Item# 13452

An easy groundcovering perennial, Selfheal produces dense spikes of contrasting coppery tinged green bracts from which row after row of white tubular flowers with a purple 'hood' emerge. It begins flowering in early to mid spring lasting for several weeks providing nectar to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. This member of the mint family is easy to establish and requires little care once established in the garden. Use Selfheal as a groundcover, on roadsides, as a component of the meadow, prairie and other naturalistic settings. Selfheal can be used to good effect spilling over walls or even in containers if you feel you need to contain it. Deer, rabbit, and pest resistant. Mainly a winter and spring growing perennial that moves into dormancy after seeds set in summer. Item# 11176

Large balloon-like buds open to purplish-blue star-shaped cup-like flowers. A longtime favorite in the perennial garden, Sentimental Blue Balloon Flower is a selection that boasts a compact habit and plenty of flower power that starts in early summer and can last into fall. An easy to grow perennial that may reseed under good conditions. Provide a moist but well-drained soil with a half a day or more of sun. Balloon Flowers are easy and long flowering clump forming tuberous rooted perennials that seem to just get better with age and require little care. Item# 10549

Slender upright to arching stems are topped by spikes of purple frilly starry flowers are produced in summer attracting a variety of pollinators, especially bees and butterflies. Sharp Blazing Star, Liatris acidota, is an herbaceous, often multi-stemmed, cormous, native perennial cloaked in dark green narrow foliage and growing to about 18-30" high and is found in central and western Louisiana and southeastern Texas. The soft texture and and gently arching flower spikes make this beautiful Blazing Star a perfect candidate for the perennial garden where it is sure to attract attention as well as butterflies and pollinators. Plant a grouping for the best effect. Provide a full sun to mostly sunny site in an average moist soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 9865

Shoal Creek Vitex produces 12" spikes of rich deep purplish-blue from late spring to fall.  This is a vigorous and disease free and drought tolerant spreading to upright deciduous shrub or small tree that attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators. Shoal Creek was selected as a Louisiana Super Plant for the spring of 2011 due to its large & richly colored spikes as well as for the fact that Vitex is an excellent low maintenance plant with a long flowering season. Item# 10305.

Forget those brittle old fall mums that need pinching and special treatment! Deep indigo, dense, fully double flowers are produced over an extended period in late summer and fall atop neat compact naturally rounded plants with deep green foliage. Forget about the throw away garden mums for fall, find an aster instead! Showmakers® Blue Bayou Dwarf New York Aster or Michaelmas Daisy, a selection of Aster novi-belgii or now Symphyotrichum novi-belgii, is a dense dwarf, hardy, clump-forming, native herbaceous perennial that develops into a neat rounded mass of flowers and foliage to about 12" high and wide with no pinching required. These were developed with container culture in mind but are sure to make statement in the garden or landscape as well. Provide a full sun to partly shaded site in an average moist, average to well-drained, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Midday shade may be desirable in hot summer climates. Caterpillar host: Field Crescent, Pearl Crescent, Texan Crescent, Roadside Checkerspot, Hoffman's Checkerspot, and American Lady. Images courtesy of Syngenta Flowers, all rights reserved. Item# 13165

Sinonome Toadlily is an heirloom hybrid long adored for its clean disease resistant foliage on upright to gently arching stems, clump forming habit, and in late summer and fall it produces clusters of white orchid-like flowers with nicely contrasting deep purple spots and flecks. One of the toprated Toadlilies in the Chicago Botanic Gardens extensive trials of the genus, receiving 4 out of 5 stars, for its anthracnose free foliage that remains beautiful throughout the growing season and its overall vigor. These are easy to grow clump forming shade loving perennials that prefer an average moist but well-drained soil. Easy and longlived with few pests or diseases as well as good cut foliage and flowers. The flowers attract Bumblebees and potentially other pollinators. Item# 11944

Large purplish-red to near fuchsia colored tubular flowers are borne in dense spikes beginning in spring and continuing until frost. Skyscraper™ Dark Purple Salvia is a mid-size well-branched and exceptionally free flowering Sage perfectly suited for use in medium-sized containers as well as in sunny garden and landscape settings. The Skyscraper series grows to about one half the size of the Wish series Salvias and flowers longer than typical Tropical Salvia, Salvia splendens, selections. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist well-drained fertile soil. Item# 12158

A low growing, clump forming to slowly spreading perennial the Southern Prairie Aster produces 1" wide, medium purple to lighter pinkish purple daisies with a yellow eye atop sturdy upright to arching stems beginning in late summer and lasting into fall. This is another Aster that is native to sandy dryer upland soils and so is somewhat drought resistant once well-established. Excellent for native pollinators.Caterpillar host: Field Crescent, Pearl Crescent, Texan Crescent, Roadside Checkerspot, Hoffman's Checkerspot, and American Lady.  Item# 10694.

Whorls of curving, tubular, yellow to cream flowers, commonly with purple dots, are held above the whorls of colorful bracts ranging from cream, to pink, to purple tones are produced in late spring and summer with the colorful bracts providing interest often into fall. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and occasional hummingbirds. Spotted Horsemint, Monarda punctata, is a clump forming, native perennial with lemony to oregano scented, narrow foliage. It is found throughout much of the central and eastern US and as far west as New Mexico and is commonly found on dryish, well-drained, and often poor, sandy soils. Spotted Horsemint makes an easy and reliable addition to naturalistic settings like roadsides, prairies, and meadows. Readily reseeds on exposed soils. Deer and rabbit resistant. Prefers a full sun site in well-drained soils.

Lavender trumpets with white throats may be produced throughout the growing season, or nearly year round in mild winter climates, in spike-like clusters and nicely complement the creamy white to soft buttery yellow and green variegated, rounded foliage. The Ganges Primrose is a naturally evergreen (in frost-free climates), groundcover-like, mounding and spreading, shrub-like perennial. Use as a non-aggressive groundcover in the garden or filler in containers. The flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Caterpillar host: White Peacock and Malachite. Item# 11049

The 1" long magenta to fuchsia tubes open to display white petals with purple markings and seemingly cover up this plant throughout the growing season to potentially year round under warm frost free conditions. The flowers attract a variety of bees, butterflies and is reported to be a hummingbird magnet. Starfire Pink Cuphea or Cigar Plant is a naturally spreading and mounding plant eventually maturing to about 18-24"H and 24-36"W by the end of the growing season. It can be used as a a stand alone specimen, in combination plantings, and even as a hanging basket plant as well as in the garden and landscape. Cupheas are some of the most reliable heat and sun tolerant plants and have exceptional flower power. Provide a full sun to partially shaded site in an average moist, well-drained, fertile soil for optimum vigor and continuous flowering. Item# 13421