Shrubs

• Purple is a signature color in flowering shrubs, including the time-honored lilac, peony and butterfly bush. Syringa vulgaris, the most common purple lilac variety, has large heart-shaped leaves and a lovely fragrance. A peony with a delicate light purple hue, the May Lilac, is an early bloomer. The butterfly bush variety Potters Purple shares the attribute of a lovely fragrance with these other flowering shrub favorites.
  
  

Bulbs

• Tulips are one of spring's most beloved creations. As tulips are available in a rainbow of shades, you are sure to find a purple that suits you. The darkest tulips are deep shades of purple, such as the Black Parrot and Negrita. A strong, blue purple shade is typical for crocus, dwarf iris and glory-of-the-snow. The bearded iris Painted Picture hosts deep purple lower petals and delicate lavender upper petals for the perfect summer blooming bulb.
  
  

Annuals

• The violet, bearing the name of a purple hue, is the quintessential spring annual. Although it can be grown as a perennial, the violet is often treated as an annual for container gardening and in annual beds. The horned violet and highly scented V. odorota both offer velvety purple petals. Can Can and Purple Triumph, two dark purple varieties of delphinium, are annual or biannual blooms that provide tall cones of color.
  
  

Perennials

• When it comes to perennial bloomers, allium is the queen of the summer. Gladiator alliums can grow up to 5 feet, and the Globemaster variety will form ball-shaped heads of violet flower clusters as large as 10 inches across. Herbs, garden perennial staples, are often found in delicate shades of violet and lilac such as lavender and wild thyme. Salvia May Night and Heuchera Chocolate Veil provide spires of purple blooms year after year.
  
  

Vines

• Clematis is a vine climber with star-shaped blooms in a wide range of purple hues. Hybrid Jackmanii and Italian clematis Etoille Violette provide deep, rich purple bloom color. Early flowering Downy and Alpine clematis provide delicate lavender or blue-purple petals. The passionflower and morning glory families both offer a range of gorgeous purple blooms on dark-foliaged vines, perfect for garden backdrops.