17 Beautiful Shrubs with Purple Flowers

Purple flowering shrubs can bring color to your yard all year round. The right bush with purple flowers can add a sense of “royalty” to an otherwise subtly colored garden space. It can also provide a burst of color among white flowers, adding a bit more drama to your garden.

Finding shrubs in the perfect shade of purple can be challenging due to the sheer number available. Not to mention, you’ll need to consider whether the plant is hardy in your local climate. Shrubs—woody plants similar to trees—are generally more permanent fixtures in your yard, so choosing the right type is important!

We’ve taken the guesswork out of finding your next purple flowering shrub by putting together a comprehensive list of some of our favorites. Many of these are evergreen shrubs that keep their leaves throughout all four seasons. Others are deciduous, meaning they die back in the frost and return the following year.

Let’s jump in and take a look at the top bushes with purple flowers for your home garden!

Azaleas

	botanical name Rhododendron spp.
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 6-10 feet tall
	hardiness zones 3-9

Azaleas are some of the most popular flowering shrubs. It’s easy to see why! They produce beautiful, trumpet-shaped flowers in bright, vibrant colors. Part of the genus Rhododendron, they have an almost tropical appearance. In addition to many shades of purple, you’ll find this flowering shrub in every shade of pink, red, white, and yellow.

The flowers grow densely across the shrub. If you’re looking for evergreen purple flowering shrubs, it’s important to note that deciduous azaleas are generally hardier than evergreen varieties. The deciduous types bloom from spring through fall. Give them acidic, nutrient-rich soil that is well-drained, and they’ll thrive. These shrubs also do quite well in shade.

Blue Mist Spiraea

	botanical name Caryopteris × clandonensis ‘Blue Mist’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3 feet tall
	hardiness zones 5-9

This purple flowering bush lives up to its name! It blooms with papery, misty petals and is available in shades of blue and blue-purple. Blue mist spiraea is a fragrant flower with long stems and small leaves.

Originally, this low-mounding shrub had silver-green foliage and loose buds. Today, many varieties feature tighter flower clusters. You can choose from a range of foliage colors, including darker green, silver, and even bright yellow-green. Blue mist spiraea comes in both dwarf and full-sized varieties and blooms throughout the summer.

Butterfly Bush

	botanical name Buddleja davidii
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 5-12 feet tall
	hardiness zones 5-9

Grow some butterfly bush to round out your butterfly garden (as long as you live somewhere this plant isn’t an invasive species)! This fabulous purple flowering shrub is full of long, bright green leaves and spiky clusters of delicate flowers. In addition to vibrant shades of purple, you can find this shrub with white blooms, as well as red, yellow, and every shade of pink.

This hardy shrub is considered an noxious weed in some parts of the U.S., so check before planting. It will give you blooms that attract pollinators all summer and fall. It prefers loamy, sandy soil that’s well-drained but moist. Otherwise, it’s not picky about the soil’s pH.

Bush Clover

	botanical name Lespedeza thunbergii
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-6 feet tall
	hardiness zones 5-8

Consider bush clover if you live in a warmer climate. This herbaceous shrub loves heat and makes quite a presentation. It has bright, pink-purple flowers in a tender pea shape that cascade from silver-green, vine-like branches. The seed pods are edible with a peppery taste.

This pink or purple flowering shrub isn’t picky about soil, as long as it’s moist and well-draining. Once established, it’s drought-resistant and responds well to pruning. For more growth and blooms, prune it back in late winter and again in spring if needed.

Clematis

	botanical name Clematis ‘Betty Corning’
	sun requirements Partial to full sun
	height 4-10 feet tall
	hardiness zones 3-11

Yes, clematis is technically a perennial climbing vine—but did you know it can also be grown as a shrub? Clematis comes in hundreds of species and possibly thousands of hybrids. Plant this climbing shrub near a trellis to encourage vines, or in hanging pots. One of the best clematis varieties for growing as a shrub is ‘Betty Corning,’ which produces light lavender blooms.

Golden Dewdrop

	botanical name Duranta erecta
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1.5-20 feet tall
	hardiness zones 9-11

This is another perennial shrub that lives up to its name! It has long branches that droop with clusters of yellow berries. Golden dewdrop also produces sprays of small, five-petal flowers in blue or purple. The contrast of chartreuse leaves, yellow berries, and bright purple flowers makes quite a presentation!

A tropical shrub, it grows as an evergreen in zones 9–11—but take care if you live in tropical areas. It’s considered one of the most invasive species in southern Australia. It grows quickly but can be tamed with regular pruning after the flowers appear. You can also let it grow loose and tall.

Heather

	botanical name Calluna vulgaris
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1.5-2 feet tall
	hardiness zones 4-6

Heather is loved for its long-lasting, brightly-colored flowers. Commonly known for its purple color, you can also find it in shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, and white. It has long, upright stalks of tiny, scale-like leaves and tons of tiny bell-shaped flowers.

Like most purple flowering shrubs, it blooms from late summer into fall. Heather isn’t picky but loves acidic soil and cooler climates. Check before planting because it’s considered an invasive species in parts of the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Hebe

	botanical name Hebe spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1.5-6 feet tall
	hardiness zones 3-9

You’ll love hebe for its spiked clusters of blooms and flashy, colorful leaves. These low-mound purple flowering shrubs come in over 100 different varieties ranging in height, flower size, and leaf size. Besides purple, you can find them in red, pink, blue, and white.

Types with smaller leaves that grow closer to the ground tend to be hardier in cooler zones. They thrive in full sunlight and well-drained soil. Provide these conditions, and you’ll enjoy blooms all summer and fall. For a fuller shrub, ensure they get plenty of light. Too much shade can make them leggy.

Hydrangea

	botanical name Hydrangea spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4-15 feet tall
	hardiness zones 5-9

You’ll find that purple-flowered hydrangeas commonly come in two popular varieties: Hydrangea macrophylla and Hydrangea serrata. Hydrangea macrophylla has larger petals, and you can change the color of the flowers by manipulating the soil’s pH levels. Choose from shades and combinations of purple, blue, red, pink, white, and green.

Hydrangea serrata is a dwarf variety that features a mix of small and micro flower heads. While you can’t change their color, you can find specific purple varieties like ‘Tiny Tuff Stuff.’ Both types produce large globe clusters of flat or rounded flower heads and have broad, fuzzy green leaves.

To change the color of Hydrangea macrophylla, adjust the soil’s acidity. You can purchase kits to raise or lower the pH, typically containing sulfur or aluminum sulfate. As a general rule, a pH lower than 6 will turn flowers blue or violet, while a pH between 6 and 7 will result in true purple or pink-purple blooms.

Lavender

	botanical name Lavandula spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3 feet tall
	hardiness zones 5-9

Try growing this famous queen of the herbs as a hedge shrub! It does well near all kinds of plants in your flower, vegetable, or herb garden. It has silvery green leaves and stems with long spikes of tiny, five-petal flowers. There are many different varieties of lavender to choose from, depending on your climate.

English lavender is one of the most popular among over 400 types of lavender. The shrub blooms from early spring into fall. This low-growing perennial prefers well-drained, dry, alkaline soil. Plus, pollinators love lavender.

Leptodermis

	botanical name Leptodermis oblonga
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3 feet tall
	hardiness zones 5-8

Like many purple flowering shrubs, leptodermis is a temperate-zone deciduous type. It has small, tubular flowers with five-point, star-like petals. You’ll find the lavender-colored blooms growing in clusters along red-toned stems. The shrub also features small green leaves.

Lovers of leptodermis note that it smells (and looks) like lilac! Enjoy blooms in summer and fall. It’s an easygoing plant that can be shaped or left to grow naturally. Both deer- and drought-resistant, it thrives in well-drained soil with weekly waterings.

Lilac

	botanical name Syringa vulgaris
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4-8 feet tall
	hardiness zones 3-7

You probably know this classic garden addition for its stunning flower clusters and recognizable fragrance. The flowers grow in large, spiky clumps of small, four-petal buds. You’ll find them at the ends of stems among glossy green, heart-shaped leaves. Lilac comes in both full and dwarf sizes. In addition to purple, it also blooms in several shades of pink and white.

Upkeep is easy with lilac bushes. They prefer rich, loamy soil with a neutral pH and regular watering. Once established, they are drought-tolerant and require only yearly pruning. Just be sure to prune before the first blooms appear—the plant grows quickly and needs this care to stay healthy.

Magnolia ‘Ann’

	botanical name Magnolia x ‘Ann’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8-10 feet tall
	hardiness zones 4-9

You probably know magnolia trees for their fragrant pink and white blooms that appear in late winter. Magnolia ‘Ann’ is a smaller hybrid bred by the U.S. National Arboretum. The goal was to make magnolias hardier, with flowers that bloom later and last longer. The result was eight “Little Girl” hybrid varieties.

‘Ann’ was the showiest, with its deep pink-purple, goblet-shaped flowers. It blooms in late spring, compared to the original, which barely makes it to mid-spring! Ann magnolias have the classic green leaves expected of magnolias, which turn gold in the fall. While it’s one of the larger purple flowering shrubs, it can be shaped into either a showy shrub or a small tree.

Bougainvillea

	botanical name Bougainvillea spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-3 feet tall
	hardiness zones 7-12

For those living in warmer zones, check out this heat-loving shrub! Paperflower has teardrop-shaped leaves and delicate stems. The actual flowers are tiny white blooms surrounded by three petal-like bracts. You’ll find it in vibrant colors like purple, red, orange, yellow, pink, white, and various combinations.

Grow it as a vine, shrub, or small tree, depending on your needs. Dwarf types of this purple flowering bush are perfect for flower pots. Paperflower can also be grown in hanging baskets or used as a security hedge, depending on the variety.

Paperflower blooms year-round in areas with warm winters. Otherwise, it blooms from spring through fall. It prefers sun, heat, and moist, well-drained soil with an acidic pH.

Rose

	botanical name Rosa spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-20 feet tall
	hardiness zones 2-11

If you want top-notch purple flowering shrubs, go with purple roses! This popular flower is found naturally in shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, and white. While purple roses aren’t naturally occurring, you can find hybrids you can grow. They range from pastel lavender to deep plum. There are hundreds of species of rose, but you can’t go wrong with a classic rose bush.

They prefer neutral, moist, loamy soil that drains well. Just make sure to water rose shrubs regularly. Gardeners often enjoy the challenge of learning how to prune rose stems properly. Pruning should be done at the beginning of the growing season to promote health and new blooms. Do this, and you’ll enjoy flowers from spring through fall.

Rose of Sharon

	botanical name Hibiscus syriacus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8-12 feet tall
	hardiness zones 5-9

In the genus Hibiscus, you might mistake rose of Sharon for hibiscus flowers—but they’re different. While hibiscus is tropical, rose of Sharon is a hardy, temperate shrub. It has tough, woody branches and dark green leaves. The flowers have five papery petals that fan out like a saucer. You’ll recognize its dark center and a single, large, stand-alone stamen.

Rose of Sharon comes in a variety of shades including red, blue, pink, purple, and white. Be careful not to plant it where its seedlings can spread into the wild. Check before planting because it’s considered invasive in some parts of the US.

Weigela

	botanical name Weigela florida
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4-8 feet tall
	hardiness zones 4-8

Weigela is a dense, low-lying shrub with small, tubular flowers and narrow, teardrop-shaped green leaves. You might notice its relation to honeysuckle in the shape of the flowers. Find weigela in shades of vibrant pink-purple.

Hummingbirds and butterflies love these purple flowering shrubs. You can enjoy their blooms in spring and summer. They adapt well to many soil types, as long as the soil is moist and well-drained. Prune after the first buds appear—but you may find that pruning isn’t necessary.