14 Pretty Purple Flowering Shrubs + Care Instructions

For centuries, purple has had close associations with royalty. The deep color implies a level of decadence that lasts to this day, and it’s no wonder that many gardeners seek out purple flowering shrubs and flowers for their garden or beds. If you are someone who loves this color, you’ll be happy to note that there are many purple flowering shrubs to choose from. There are a huge number of shrubs that bloom in purple hues throughout the spring and summer months.

Some of these shrubs are native to various regions of the world while others are the direct result of focused cultivation. Either way, purple will add the color spectrum and depth to your space. But, to grow purple flowering shrubs successfully, you’ll need to know about the different flower species you can get. To get a good grasp on the flowering shrubs with their unique features and the different bloom times, we’ll go through 14 popular purple flowering shrub types below.

14 Pretty Purple Flowering Shrubs

Purple flowering shrubs come in a range of forms. You can get both deciduous and evergreen species, and you can grow them in various planting zones. As always, how successful you are with these shrubs will rely on their growing requirements and how well you can meet them. To familiarize yourself with the options, we’ve picked out 14 great options to consider and outlined their care conditions below.

1. Abelia ‘Edward Goucher’ (Abelia)

The first purple flowering shrub on the list comes from a family of over 30 shrubs. These shrubs come in a broad range of colors, so if you want to get purple flowers, be very careful on the cultivar you pick out. Edward Goucher abelia is one of the best picks for purple. The flowers are bell-shaped and small, and they have a lighter purple to deep lavender coloring. They bloom in the spring months and last throughout the growing season to fall.

Overall, this is a relatively small purple flowering shrub that has minimal maintenance. In cooler areas, it may die back to the ground once frost and snow comes along. However, this isn’t an indication that the plant died off. Once the spring and warmer temperatures come, it’s common for this shrub to return with showy flowers. It’s native to both Mexico and Asia, and it’s a great pick if you want a smaller shrub that is very easy to care for.

• Bloom Time: May to September
• Hardiness Zones: 6-9
• Mature Height: 3 to 5 feet
• Mature Spread: 3 to 5 feet
• Soil Moisture: Medium moisture
• Soil pH: Acidic to slightly alkaline
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to part shade

2. Buddleja ‘Purple Haze’ (Purple Haze Butterfly Bush)

While it’s invasive, most people can’t help but fall in love with the flowers this purple flowering shrub produces. They come in many colors, and they’re attractive to both humans and a range of pollinators. Luckily, in response to the popularity of these pollinators and the invasive characteristics, botanists have created some sterile cultivars that don’t spread. These varieties have appealing qualities that come with butterfly bushes, and they can’t reproduce. This takes the invasive qualities away.

One of the sterile purple flowering shrubs you can get is purple haze. We’re sure you can guess the main reason for the name. This shrub puts out stunning purple flowers that grow in prolific drooping spires. If you leave butterfly bushes but need something that isn’t going to take over, pick a sterile cultivar.

• Bloom Time: July to September
• Hardiness Zones: 5-9
• Mature Height: 2 to 3 feet
• Mature Spread: 3 to 4 feet
• Soil Moisture: Medium moisture
• Soil pH: Neutral
• Sun Requirements: Full sun

3. Calluna Vulgaris (Scotch Heather)

Scotch heather is a low growing, evergreen flowering purple shrub that is native to the western portion of Europe. It has now naturalized to parts of North America, but many parts treat it as an invasive plant. This status is due to the plant’s tendency to spread very quickly. In the perfect growing conditions, it will form a dense mat for ground cover. If you choose to plant Scotch heather, you’ll need to work constantly to contain it. On the upside, the flowers are very pretty. While you get smaller flowers, they cover almost the whole part of the plant. When they bloom, you’ll get a huge swath of purple in your yard.

• Bloom Time: July to September
• Hardiness Zoness: 4 to 6
• Mature Height: 1 to 2 feet
• Mature Spread: 1 to two feet
• Soil Moisture: Moist
• Soil pH: Acidic
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to part shade

4. Duranta Erecta (Golden Dewdrops)

Even though this purple flowering shrub has the common name of Golden Dewdrops, no significant part of this plant is golden. The flowers range from violet to blue, and they grow in huge clusters that hang from the branches. This is a broadleaf evergreen that is suitable for warmer climates in gardens because it grows natively in tropical regions in South and North America. When you grow it in the United States, it’ll only survive if you live in planting zones eight and up.

One interesting fact about this shrub is that it can grow to various heights as it matures. In the native tropical range, it can get over 15-feet high. In colder parts of the growing zone, it only gets around four feet tall. Regardless of the size, this purple flowering shrub is very visually appealing with rich color bursts. The leaves can have some variations too, other than being just green. They can have white and green variegation showing on each leaf.

In colder areas, Golden Dewdrops can survive inside as a container plant. This is partially because of the smaller sizes in these zones and partially because they won’t survive planted outside during winter. If you want a purple flowering shrub that is slightly more unique, look for this one. However, it’ll require specialized treatment if you grow it north of zone eight to get it to survive.

• Bloom Time: Summer to Fall
• Hardiness Zones: 8 to 11
• Mature Height: 2 to 4 feet in colder areas and 15 to 18 feet in warmer areas
• Mature Spread: Varies based on your climate
• Soil Moisture: Moist
• Soil pH: Acidic to slightly alkaline
• Sun Requirements: Full sun

5. Hibiscus Syriacus (Rose Of Sharon)

Rose of Sharon is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub. It grows in a vase-like shape that gets up to 12 feet high at full maturity. The flowers on this plant will show some color variation with some being white or pink and many are purple. Regardless of the coloring, these flowers typically produce five evenly spaced petals and a very prominent stamen in the center. It blooms later in the season, and the flowers will start to open in August or as early as June. They stay for a few months until late September or early in October.

The leaves on this purple flowering shrub have three lobes per leaf, and they look very similar to a maple leaf. They are green during the summer months, and they can turn yellow during the fall. But, they rarely develop an impressive fall color. Rose or Sharon grows well as part of a mass border. The shape, size, and foliage density make this shrub a pretty privacy screen during warm weather.

• Bloom Time: June to October
• Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
• Mature Height: 8 to 10 feet
• Mature Spread: 6 to 10 feet
• Soil Moisture: Medium moisture
• Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to part shade

6. Hydrangea Macrophylla ‘Royal Purple’ (Royal Purple Hydrangea)

There are multiple cultivars with this purple flowering shrub. These varieties encompass many different flower colors, including shades of purple. The deepest shade belongs to the Royal Purple Hydrangea. It produces very large flower heads that stay in bloom well into the late summer months. The hue of this deep purple plant is very dark. Overall, this is a rounded, medium-sized deciduous shrub. The leaves are very large and rounded, and they are green with very limited fall coloring.

Hydrangea are very popular plants in many gardens, and they have a variety of issues in your garden. Sometimes, the soil’s pH levels can cause the flower color to change. But, Royal Purple Hydrangea stays a consistent purple hue. This is not the hardiest hydrangea cultivar to grow, and it only survives in zone six and up. However, if you live in southern portions of the United States and want a purple flowering shrub, this is a great choice to consider.

• Bloom Time: Summer to Fall
• Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9
• Mature Height: 3 to 4 feet
• Mature Spread: 4 to 5 feet
• Soil Moisture: Medium moisture
• Soil pH: Acidic to alkaline
• Sun Requirements: Part shade to full sun

7. Lagerstroemia Indica X Fauriei ‘Chickasaw’ (Chickasaw Crape Myrtle)

Chickasaw Crape Myrtle is a dwarf purple flowering shrub. This is a crossbred species that develops into a rounded, small shrub that reaches two feet high at a maximum. When it blooms, it produces panicles of lavender flowers all over the shrub. The flowers will continue through the summer to the first hard frost.

This plant prefers to be in acidic soil and full sun. It also has some of the strong disease resistance compared to other varieties. The foliage is also very eye-catching on this plant. It turns a reddish-orange color in the fall months before falling to the ground. But, this isn’t the end of the seasonal show. As the foliage and flowers start to die back, the bark slowly shows itself. The bark exfoliates from the shrub in papery, peeling layers. With year-round appeal and stunning flowers, this is a great addition to your garden.

• Bloom Time: July to November
• Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9
• Mature Height: 1 to 2 feet
• Mature Spread: 1 to 2 feet
• Soil Moisture: Medium moisture
• Soil pH: Acidic
• Sun Requirements: Full sun

8. Magnolia ‘Ann’ (Magnolia)

You can grow Ann Magnolia as a small tree or large shrub. Like most magnolias, this plant produces huge blooms. This purple flowering shrub offers deep purple blossoms that have a tulip-like shape. These flowers will bloom early in the season before the leaves appear. They are big and they grow in big quantities across the whole plant.

Although magnolias have thrived in the wild for several decades, this cultivar is relatively new. The hybrid first showed up in the 1950s as part of a bigger hybrid group that the National Arboretum developed. This group includes hybrids Jane, Betty, Susuan, and the Little Girl Series. All the hybrids in this group are direct results from a cross between Magnolia stellata Rosea and Magnolia liliiflora Nigra.

The goal of cross-breeding these two cultivars was to produce plants with several flowers that bloomed later to avoid frost damage in the spring. Most of the Little Girl Series for very large upright deciduous shrubs when they grow. As long as you make a point to maintain the soil moisture and protect the plant from strong winds, it will grow well. The slightly fragrant, large flowers are highly popular with gardeners.

• Bloom Time: April to May
• Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
• Mature Height: 8 to 10 feet
• Mature Spread: 8 to 10 feet
• Soil Moisture: Medium moisture
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to part shade

9. Rhododendron ‘Conlee’ Autumn Amethyst (Evergreen Azalea)

Rhododendrons and azaleas are very similar purple flowering shrubs. They are part of the same genus, and one of the biggest similarities between the two shrubs is the huge amounts of purple flowers they produce. One of the best cultivars you can pick is Conlee Autumn Amethyst. This is a rounded evergreen shrub that you can grow as a multi-stemmed plant that reaches up to six feet wide. The flowers form a funnel shape and bloom in large clusters, and they can be a deep purple to lavender color.

The coloration of this purple flowering shrub includes reddish spots on the petals’ interiors, and each flower is roughly two inches long. This species has similar insect and disease problems to rhododendrons, and it acn have issues with a sudden frost killing the buds. If you live in a colder region, this may be why your plant refuses to flower to the extent you know it could. But, the flowers are so valuable that they are worth the extra effort you put into caring for them.

• Bloom Time: April to May
• Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
• Mature Height: 4 to 6 feet
• Mature Spread: 4 to 6 feet
• Soil Moisture: Medium moisture
• Soil pH: Acidic
• Sun Requirements: Part shade

10. Rhododendron ‘P.J.M.’ (Rhododendron)

There are dozens of species inside of the Rhododendron genus. Currently, one of the most commercially available and popular varieties is the hybrid called P.J.M. rhododendron. This hybrid first came about from selective cultivation in Hopkinton, MA in the early 1940s. This is a medium-sized shrub that is a broadleaf evergreen, and it produces vibrant purple flowers in the springtime.

The flowers on this purple flowering shrub are numerous and easy to spot from far away. They create clusters of blooms with four to nine flowers each. This plant doesn’t produce seeds, so it’s an easy shrub to help contain your garden. It’s also a winter hardy plant, and this makes it a reliable shrub for colder areas. The leaves are smaller at roughly one to two inches long, and they are evergreen with an oblong shape.

Despite the fact that the foliage stays on the shrub throughout the winter months, it will show mild coloration changes. During winter, the leaves can go from a green to a plum color. The leaves changing colors are not indicators of a problem with your plant’s health, but there are many ailments you have to watch for. Leaf spots, root rot, and mildew are all common, and they’re also prone to developing problems with insects like borers, aphids, and mites.

However, these challenges don’t take away from how attractive these purple flowering shrubs are. It’s one of the most consistent springtime blooming plants you can get. With a little bit of vigilance on your part, you should easily be able to minimize these issues and enjoy the huge amount of blooms it produces each year.

• Bloom Time: April
• Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
• Mature Height: 3 to 6 feet
• Mature Spread: 3 to 7 feet
• Soil Moisture: Medium moisture
• Soil pH: Acidic
• Sun Requirements: Part shade to full shade

11. Rosa Rugosa ‘Purple Pavement’ (Purple Pavement Rose)

This is a medium-sized purple flowering shrub that produces large flowers. This deciduous shrub’s flowers are roughly two-inches across, and they typically survive the majority of the summer. There are many varieties of Rugosa roses, but this is one of the best choices for people who are after purple coloring.

Once the flowers die back for the season, a fruit called rose hip replaces them. This fruit looks like a tiny red tomato. The foliage is very rounded and small, and they have deep venation and a very rugged texture. Roses in this genus often grow wild on beaches in sand dunes, and they grow so rapidly many places consider them invasive. So, double-check before you plant them in your yard.

• Bloom Time: May to September
• Hardiness Zones: 2 to 7
• Mature Height: 4 to 6 feet
• Mature Spread: 4 to 6 feet
• Soil Moisture: Medium moisture
• Soil pH: Acidic
• Sun Requirements: Full sun

12. Spiraea Japonica (Spirea)

Although spirea can top out at six feet tall at full maturity, it’s usually smaller than this. Generally speaking, this purple flowering shrub has a rounded shape with various heights. Because of how popular this choice is, there is a huge range of cultivars. Many of these varieties will produce bright purple flowers. They can have a reddish hue too. The flowers are tiny and form bigger clusters that are a few inches across with a flat shape. The flowers can easily attract butterflies, and they bloom in the spring and continue on into the summer months. They may even rebloom later in the season.

To promote a second bloom, you want to remove the first round of flowers right after they fade. This is easy to do as this plant can survive a heavy shearing instead of focused pruning. The foliage has a sharp shape and a deciduous growth habit. The overall shrub’s form can vary based on the growing conditions. Although it’s native to Japan, it’s very common in American landscapes and gardens.

• Bloom Time: April to May
• Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
• Mature Height: 4 to 6 feet
• Mature Spread: 4 to 6 feet
• Soil Moisture: Medium moisture
• Soil pH: Acidic
• Sun Requirements: Part shade

13. Syringa Vulgaris (Lilac)

Lilac shrubs have a reputation as being prolific flowering shrubs with a very strong but familiar scent. The flowers grow in purple, white, or mixes of both colors, and in ideal growth conditions, the flowers grow in several panicles. Each panicle is roughly eight inches long. However, the blooms are largely inconsistent. Some lilacs will go years without producing any flowers, but when they do decide to flower, they are a beautiful addition to your garden. To promote more blooms, cut off flowers as soon as they start to die back.

Although they’re native to parts of Europe, they have been popular in North America for multiple centuries. This is due to the fact that colonists from Europe brought these shrubs with them when they first started exploring North America. The leaves on the shrubs are heart-shaped, and they have a dark green color with a smooth feel. Alongside the flowers, they don’t have many other notable characteristics. They are also prone to having issues with powdery mildew.

But despite the diminished appearance of the shrub, the mildew doesn’t cause a huge amount of damage to the plant. Lilacs are great for adding year-round interest, and they make a great purple flowering shrub for beginner gardeners. Just make sure you give them the best conditions possible to grow to encourage as many flowers as it can produce.

• Bloom Time: May
• Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7
• Mature Height: 12 to 16 feet
• Mature Spread: 8 to 2 feet
• Soil Moisture: Medium moisture
• Soil pH: Neutral
• Sun Requirements: Full sun

14. Weigela Florida ‘Verweig’ My Monet (Weigela)

The final purple flowering shrub on the list is weigela, and there are a few varieties to choose from. My Monet is the Verweig type, and it’s a very compact shrub. This species requires full sun to grow, and it can survive in soils ranging from slightly alkaline to acidic. The flowers are purple, and they have a pretty funnel shape. These flowers can emerge on this or last year’s growth, and they have a lighter color inside of the funnel. This flower shape will attract hummingbirds.

The leaves also have their own distinct coloration. The foliage is two-toned and deciduous, and you’ll get splotches of color surrounding pinkish-white coloring along the edges. The combination of leaf and flower color makes this a very pretty shrub to add pops of color to your yard or garden.

• Bloom Time: April to June
• Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
• Mature Height: 1 to 2 feet
• Mature Spread: 1 to 2 feet
• Soil Moisture: Medium moisture
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline
• Sun Requirements: Full sun

Bottom Line

These 14 purple flowering shrubs will catch your eye as you walk through your garden or yard. The next time you consider adding a shrub to your design, don’t forget about adding color. If you want great seasonal appeal with a woody plant, one of our 14 purple flowering shrubs is exactly what you should plant.