Purple flowers bring a sense of luxury and enchantment to any garden or bouquet. From fragrant lavender and lilac to regal iris and exotic orchids, here are 22 of the most beautiful purple flowers, along with what the color purple symbolizes.
What purple flowers symbolize
Purple flowers symbolize royalty, luxury, dignity and admiration. For centuries purple was the color of kings and nobility because the dye was so rare and costly, and that association with prestige lingers today.
Purple also carries meanings of enchantment, creativity and spirituality, making purple flowers a popular choice for expressing admiration, celebrating success, or adding a touch of magic to a space.
22 beautiful purple flowers
These purple-flowering garden plants span fragrant shrubs, bold perennials and climbing vines, many of them beloved by pollinators.
- Lavender — fragrant silvery plants topped with spikes of calming purple flowers.
- Lilac — clusters of intensely fragrant purple blooms on a spring-flowering shrub.
- Violet — small heart-leaved flowers symbolizing loyalty, modesty and devotion.
- Iris — regal purple blooms whose name means rainbow; elegant and sculptural.
- Allium — dramatic globe-shaped purple flower heads on tall, straight stems.
- Wisteria — cascading curtains of fragrant purple flowers, spectacular in late spring.
- Clematis — climbing vines covered in large, star-shaped purple flowers.
- Salvia — upright spikes of purple flowers that bloom for months and feed bees.
- Catmint — a soft haze of purple-blue flowers that pollinators (and cats) love.
- Foxglove — tall spires of purple tubular bells, a cottage-garden favorite.
- Verbena — clusters of small purple flowers that bloom nonstop through summer.
- Anemone — purple windflowers with striking dark centers.
Purple flowers for bouquets
For bouquets and containers, these purple blooms add richness and elegance that pairs beautifully with white, pink and silver.
- Orchid — exotic purple orchids symbolizing luxury, beauty and refinement.
- Hyacinth — fragrant spring bulbs with dense spikes of purple flowers.
- Aster — daisy-like purple flowers that brighten the autumn garden and vase.
- Pansy — cheerful purple-faced flowers perfect for cool-season pots.
- Tulip — elegant purple tulips, from soft lavender to deep royal shades.
- Petunia — trumpet flowers in rich purples, ideal for hanging baskets and beds.
- Ranunculus — layered, rose-like purple blooms prized by florists.
- Statice — papery purple flowers that hold their color when dried.
- Bellflower — bell-shaped purple flowers on graceful, arching stems.
- Dahlia — ball and dinnerplate dahlias in gorgeous shades of purple.
Using purple flowers in your garden and home
Purple flowers add instant sophistication, and they’re endlessly versatile — pale lavender feels soft and romantic, while deep violet reads as bold and dramatic. Purple pairs beautifully with white and silver for an elegant look, with yellow and orange for vibrant contrast, and with pink for a soft, harmonious palette. A mass of purple in the garden also creates a wonderful sense of depth and calm.
When to give purple flowers
Purple flowers make a fitting gift to celebrate achievement, admiration or a special milestone, thanks to their regal associations. They’re a favorite for elegant weddings, anniversaries and graduations, and they add a luxurious, sophisticated note to any arrangement or garden border.
Purple flowers through the seasons
Purple blooms appear in every season — lilac, wisteria, hyacinth and crocus in spring; lavender, salvia, clematis and allium through summer; and asters and purple chrysanthemums carrying the color into fall. With a little planning you can have purple flowers nearly year-round.
Choosing and styling purple flowers
When choosing purple flowers, think about depth of shade. Soft lavender and lilac feel calm and romantic and blend easily into pastel schemes, while deep violet and royal purple read as bold and dramatic. Mixing tones — pale catmint, mid-purple salvia and deep iris — gives a border wonderful richness, and repeating one purple through a planting ties the whole scheme together.
Purple sits between warm and cool, so it’s endlessly flexible: pair it with silver and white for elegance, with yellow or orange for vivid contrast, or with pink for a soft, harmonious blend. In the vase, purple adds instant luxury and depth. A fun fact: purple’s long link to royalty comes from Tyrian purple dye, once so costly it was reserved for emperors — a richness that still clings to purple flowers today.
Purple flowers: quick facts
Here’s a quick summary of everything you need to know about purple flowers at a glance:
- Symbolism: royalty, luxury, dignity, admiration and enchantment.
- Most iconic: lavender, lilac, iris, orchids and purple tulips.
- Fragrance stars: lavender, lilac and hyacinth are among the most scented.
- Best season: lilac and wisteria in spring; lavender and salvia in summer.
- Pairs well with: white, silver, yellow and pink.
- Perfect for: celebrating achievement, elegant weddings and anniversaries.
- Good to know: bees are especially drawn to purple and blue blooms.
Purple flowers FAQs
What do purple flowers symbolize?
Purple flowers symbolize royalty, luxury, dignity and admiration, a legacy of purple’s historic association with kings and nobility. They also represent enchantment, creativity and spirituality, making them a meaningful gift to honor achievement or express deep admiration.
What is the most popular purple flower?
Lavender, lilac, iris, orchids and tulips are among the most popular and recognizable purple flowers. Lavender is especially beloved for its fragrance and calming reputation, while iris and orchids are prized for their striking, elegant blooms.
What purple flowers bloom in spring?
Spring purple flowers include lilac, wisteria, hyacinth, early iris, grape hyacinth, crocus and purple tulips. Many are bulbs or flowering shrubs that put on a show early in the season.
What are good purple flowers for a wedding?
Orchids, lisianthus, purple roses, lavender, anemones and ranunculus are popular purple wedding flowers, adding a luxurious, romantic feel. Purple pairs beautifully with white and greenery in bouquets and centerpieces.
What is a small purple flower called?
Common small purple flowers include violets, pansies, grape hyacinths, crocuses and forget-me-nots (which range from blue to violet). These low-growing blooms are perfect for borders, pots and spring displays.
What purple flowers attract bees?
Bees are strongly drawn to purple and blue flowers. Lavender, salvia, catmint, allium, verbena and asters are all excellent purple, pollinator-friendly choices that keep bees and butterflies visiting all season.
Explore more in our flower meanings A–Z, the flower encyclopedia, and other flowers by color.