Stop a second and think about purple flowers; purple is mystery, royalty, and spirituality – all combined in one single color. They are, by excellence, a symbol of nobility, ceremony and distinction. Even so, they are often found in nature – from lavender to orchids and lilies, purple flowers are a favorite of many people. Here, on this site, you will find all sort of useful and pleasant details about them, how to take care of them, and many more.
Lavender
Out of all the purple flowers, lavender is perhaps the most loved – and for good reasons. Its beautiful aspect and charming, soothing fragrance have made it a favorite of so many people for so many years. Lavender flowers signify purity and devotion, and to some extent, caution; aside from growing them for how lovely they look, they are also used extensively as herbs and in aromatherapy. Be it essential oils, balms, or other cosmetic products, lavender is guaranteed to bring something special and unique to the table.
There are 39 known species of plants in the lavender’s family, and even though details vary, all these purple flowers flourish in sunny weather, especially in well drained and even sandy soils. They are not pretentious at all when it comes to fertilizer – even without any, they can grow just fine, but good air circulation is required; this is especially important if you want to grow them in an apartment. Even so, if something is wrong, the plant will ‘tell’ you, like for example if you are wetting it too often, or too little. All in all, lavender flowers are pretty easy to take care of, absolutely lovely to grow, in a garden or even an apartment. The smell of these lovely purple flowers will make your day better.
Purple Iris
Iris is a rather large genus of over 200 flowers; its name comes from Greek, in which it means ‘rainbow’, signifying the large variety of colours in which this plant can appear, but among all these, purple flowers are the most common ones. If you want to show someone how truly special they are, there’s nothing like a vibrant bouquet of colourful iris flowers. Iris signifies hope and wisdom, as well as admiration – making it one of the few flowers also appropriate to be given in a platonic relationship.
Iris are hardy perennial flowers that are extremely easy to grow and take care of in the proper environment. They are most suitable in temperate zones, and if they are planted in the right period (July-September), they will most likely bloom and rise spectacularly. The plant needs at least half of day of sun, but if the environment is too sunny, some shade is more than welcome. However, they require a lot of moisture in the innitial phases, so keep an eye out for that. Most species only bloom in the Spring, but what a scene it is!
Lilac
The story of the Lilac is a remarkable one indeed; as the Greek legend has it, there was a forest nymph named Syringa (this is the lilac’s ‘technical’ name). The nymph was so beautiful that Pan, the god of sheperds and forests, fell in love and started chasing her. She ran and ran away, but ultimately, she was so afraid that she turned herself into the beautiful aromatic plant we see today.
Lilac flowers are indeed lovely, and they smell divine; they offer a wonderful display from spring to summer, blooming for a few weeks, but different species bloom in different periods. Their smell is so powerful that it is often too strong to be kept in a room without good ventilation. Lilac flowers in a vase should be kept in a cool location, out of direct sunlight.
The usual flower colour is a shade of purple (often a light purple or lilac), but white, pale yellow and pink, and even a dark burgundy. They thrive in the temperate zone, and are not picky about the soil type – they prefer acidic however. However, lilac bushes are very vulnerable to powdery mildew disease, which is caused by poor air circulation.
Purple Pansies
Pansies are not all purple flowers, but perhaps of all the shades and colours, they are the most spectacular. Pansies are hybrid flowers, which derive from Viola species. Lady Mary Elizabeth Bennet brought pansies in the gardners’ attention, and since then, these flowers have entered the hearts and gardens of millions; they have also attracted the attention of poets and artists, including William Shakespeare, and are a recurrint motif in brodery and paintings.
Pansies are loved by many people because they are so easy to grow in your apartment! Think your bedroom needs some estetic improvement? Do you want to have the most beautiful balcony in the neighborhood ? Or a touch of sensitivity in your garden? Then pansies are the absolute best for you! They look adorable, as you can see for yourself.
Purple Orchids
Orchids come in a lot of shape and colours (over 20.000 species), so here, we shall be discussing only the purple flowers. Among these, Orchis mascula, the Early Purple Orchid, is perhaps the most well known. Vanda orchids also bloom in several hues of purple. Phalaenopsis is known as the moth orchids, and is also often met in flower shops.
Paphiopedilum or lady slipper orchids are exotic, sophisticated flowers, which require lots of sunlight.
When it comes to growing orchids, different species require different conditions; some are extremely pretentious and require special treatment, while others only need soil, water and sunlight. However, most of them are devoid of nectar and will attract pollinating insects (such as bees, wasps, and sometimes, even beetles). All in all, these flowers give an exotic touch to any room or garden they may be in.
Lillies
Lillies are not all purple, but they truly are spectacular! Purple lilies are, above all, majestic flowers – in color, as well as in shape. The kind of flowers suited for the crowning of a prince, there is no other flower that says ‘grace’ quite so vividly. Their fragrance is extremely delicate yet somehow surrounds you everytime.
Lilies bloom from early summer ’til fall, depending on the weather, species and cndition. They prefer the soil to be very well drained but moist, rich in organic material and slightly acidic; if it doesn’t seem like they’re doing well, just buy some fertilizer and you should be OK.
Heliotrope
Even though this name might sound peculiar to you, the odds are you’ve seen this flower.
The name ‘heliotropes’ comes from the fact that they turn their face towards the sun; they pretty much take care of themselves, unless you are living in an extreme environment, and they will liven up any garden and make it much more beautiful to look at. If you want a low maintenance but lovely looking garden – then without a doubt, these purple flowers are what you should be doing.