Purple flowers: 12 types for a bouquet

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Prepared with UFL flower delivery. Purple flowers appear in bouquets less often than pink or white ones, which is a shame: the colour looks noble and mysterious and, in the language of flowers, means admiration. Here are 12 purple flowers for bouquets, the main shades and florist tips. More flowers with photos, names and meanings are in our guide to types of flowers.

Shades of purple

Purple is a whole palette, from pale lavender to deep plum. Light shades make a bouquet tender; dark ones make it formal.

1. Roses

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Purple and lilac roses range from lavender to deep plum. Popular cut varieties are Ocean Song, Memory Lane, Deep Purple and Cool Water; garden favourites include Blue Moon, Rhapsody in Blue and Ebb Tide. They pair well with white, pink and green flowers, eucalyptus and berries. Bouquets: ufl.ua/en/kyiv/catalog/roses-kyiv.

2. Hydrangeas

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Lush heads from pale lilac to purple. The colour of bigleaf hydrangea depends on soil: acidic turns it blue, alkaline turns it pink, and in between it can be purple. Hydrangeas are almost scentless, so they suit allergy sufferers; roses, lisianthus and callas pair well with them. Bouquets: ufl.ua/en/kyiv/catalog/buket-z-hortenziiamy-kyiv.

3. Freesias

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Freesia comes from South Africa. Its lilac and purple flowers have a fresh citrusy-floral scent, which makes them popular in wedding bouquets. It looks good alone or with roses, peonies and tulips.

4. Lavender

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Small purple spikes with a spicy scent. In a bouquet lavender adds line and texture and goes well with wildflowers and grasses. It keeps its colour and fragrance when dried.

5. Tulips

Purple tulips range from soft lilac to almost black (Queen of Night): a spring classic that says admiration. Bouquets: ufl.ua/en/kyiv/catalog/fioletovi-tyulpany-kyiv.

6. Orchids

Dendrobium and vanda come in rich purples and last up to three weeks when cut; a potted phalaenopsis is a long-lasting gift. Bouquets: ufl.ua/en/kyiv/catalog/orhidei-kyiv.

7. Lisianthus

Delicate rose-like flowers; purple and white-edged lilac forms are among the most popular. It lasts up to two weeks.

8. Iris

Blue-violet flowers with a yellow blaze, a symbol of hope and wisdom. They open quickly, so keep them cool.

9. Hyacinth

Dense, fragrant spikes; in the language of flowers a purple hyacinth means «forgive me». In season from February to April.

10. Chrysanthemums

Lilac and purple spray chrysanthemums add volume and last 2–3 weeks.

11. Lilac

May fragrance and lush panicles from white to deep purple. Cut lilac lasts a few days; split the stem and use cool water.

12. Anemones

Purple anemones with a dark centre look graphic; in season in winter and spring.

What purple means in flowers

Purple has long been a colour of status: natural purple dye was rare and costly, so only nobility and clergy could wear it. Hence its modern associations of luxury, dignity, wisdom and respect.

In the language of flowers, shades speak differently:

• pale lilac and lavender — tenderness, first feelings, admiration;
• rich violet — respect, recognition, wishes for success;
• dark plum — deep feelings and serious intentions.

That makes a purple bouquet fitting for a teacher or a female manager, an anniversary, a graduation, or as a subtle sign of affection when red roses feel too direct.

Purple flowers for the garden and borders

If you love purple beyond bouquets, it is easy to stretch it across the whole garden season:

• Spring — crocuses, muscari, hyacinths, sweet violets, lilac.
• Summer — lavender, catmint, woodland sage, clematis, Verbena bonariensis, petunias.
• Autumn — Michaelmas and New England asters, buddleja (the “butterfly bush”), ornamental kale with purple leaves.

Purple visually pushes the boundaries of a plot back, so plant it at the back of a border with pale or silver plants in front — lamb’s ears, wormwood, white annuals. For cutting from your own garden, lilac, asters and lavender work best.

Houseplants with purple flowers

You can keep a purple accent at home all year with a potted plant:

• African violet — compact and flowering almost non-stop in bright indirect light.
• Phalaenopsis orchid — lilac and purple varieties hold their flowers for two to three months.
• Streptocarpus and gloxinia — large velvety bells for a windowsill out of direct sun.
• Purple shamrock (Oxalis triangularis) — butterfly-shaped purple leaves that fold up at night.

A plant like this is a good alternative to a bouquet when you want a longer-lasting gift, and it can be paired with a few cut flowers in the same shade.

What to pair with

• With white — fresh and festive, a wedding classic.
• With pink — romantic; try pink peonies, roses or alstroemeria.
• With yellow — a bright spring contrast.
• With greenery — eucalyptus, pistachio and grasses for a natural look.
• Monochrome — several shades of purple together.

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Care tips

• Re-cut stems at an angle by 1–2 cm with a sharp knife.
• Use a clean vase and cut-flower food.
• Keep the bouquet cool, away from sun, radiators and fruit.

FAQ

What do purple flowers mean?

Admiration, nobility, mystery and creativity; lilac shades also stand for first love.

Who should I give a purple bouquet to?

A woman with a bold personality, a creative person, or a colleague or boss as a sign of respect. Add pink for romance.

Do blue roses exist?

Not in nature. Blue roses are either dyed or genetically engineered, and they look more lilac.

Read also

• Pink flowers: 10 types for bouquets
• Types of African violets
• The language of flowers

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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