Design specialists have identified that blue and purple hues can provide a calming effect and serve as an anchor for more vibrant colors in the garden. Including a variety of purple roses in shades ranging from deep mulberry to subdued periwinkle can seamlessly blend with any garden palette. Finding the perfect purple rose can be a challenge, but ongoing efforts to hybridize roses have resulted in some stunning options. This article will highlight 21 garden-worthy purple rose choices in a wide range of colors, including deep fuchsias, lovely violets, rich plums, and silvery lavender shades. Let's explore these options!
'Plum Perfect,' a floribunda rose, is a sensation in the rose community. Its soft, double violet plum blooms, created by renowned hybridizer Kordes, thrive in various climates. It's also resistant to black spot. Perfect for mixed borders and containers.
'Quicksilver' is the ideal choice for purple bloom enthusiasts. This well-behaved climber can reach 7 feet, perfect for trellises. It features English-style double blooms all summer. The lush, disease-resistant plant reveals mauve centers with silvery lavender petals as buds open. Minimal pruning for the first three years is recommended, and the blooms boast a delightful fruity fragrance. For a stunning purple display, complement with delphiniums and salvia.
'Easy on the Eyes' rose is a unique, orchid purple beauty that's hassle-free. From Weeks Roses' 'Easy to Love' collection, it's perfect for new gardeners. Its distinctive color, deep purple center, and golden eye attract pollinators, making it a great addition to butterfly gardens. The semi-double flowers emit a citrus and spice fragrance, while the neat shrub shape suits patios and mixed beds. Enjoy its charm effortlessly all summer long.
Meet 'Reine des Violettes', a thorn-free climbing rose. Also known as the "Queen of the Violets," this Old Garden Rose introduced in 1860 features nearly thorn-free canes, making it easy to train on supports. Its lilac-pink quartered blooms emit an old rose fragrance with a peppery note, blooming repeatedly with deadheading. 'Reine' tolerates some shade and needs regular fertilization. Its gray-green foliage adds charm when not in bloom. It's also adaptable to "pegging" for robust flowering.
'Blue for You' rose is a hardy, prolific plant with semi-double blooms in shades of magenta, lilac-pink, and plum, accented by a white center. It offers an ever-evolving garden display as colors shift with the weather. This rose is not only beautiful but also healthy, with a delightful scent of candied apples and clove. It thrives in hot temperatures and produces clusters of flowers from spring to frost. For contrast, pair 'Blue for You' with a pale lemon climber like 'Teasing Georgia,' or keep it simple with vibrant yellow sedum.
The rose variety called ‘Blue Moon’ boasts a lovely lilac lavender hue and emits a grapefruit scent that is simply divine. While it may seem puzzling to have blue in its name, it’s common for roses with cooler purple shades to be given such monikers. As a recipient of a gold medal, this rose’s fragrance is sweet and reminiscent of the citrus fruit. Its upright growth habit adds to its appeal and it thrives best in dappled shade. It’s advisable to provide shelter from the hot sun which can damage its delicate petals and affect its color. For those who adore silver-toned purples, ‘Blue Moon’ is an excellent choice.
'Purple Tiger' rose is stunning, hardy in zone 6, with unique dark violet and raspberry stripes on white blooms.
'Indigo' rose is an exquisite heirloom with a heavenly damask perfume. Its blackberry-violet blooms, belonging to the Portland Rose family, feature a button eye and compact growth. This rose, introduced prior to 1845, is perfect for bouquets. Its lush green foliage complements the rich purple hue. Be prepared for its tendency to spread through suckers, which can be transplanted or shared with friends. 'Indigo' is a striking rose that any gardener would cherish.
'Pretty Polly Lavender' is a tough and resilient polyantha rose, perfect for any garden. It can endure extreme temperatures, making it an excellent choice. With its clusters of charming pinkish lilac flowers, this rose is a member of the Star Roses and Plants BloomablesⓇ series, guaranteeing consistent color. It's great for small beds or as a ground cover. You can even cut sprays for bouquets. With a light fragrance and unwavering reliability, this lavender bloom powerhouse thrives in any garden setting.
'Love Song' is an award-winning mauve rose known for its large ruffled blooms. Its fragrance varies from strong citrus notes to mild sweetness. This healthy shrub features a captivating lavender shade. For optimal growth, consider planting it in cooler spring and fall temperatures to produce the largest and most beautiful flowers. Even in dry heat, 'Love Song' can withstand scorching sun and maintain its gorgeous color.
If you’re looking for a small and resilient miniature rose with delightful lilac blossoms, then ‘Life’s Little Pleasures’ is a great choice. It’s perfect for creating petite bouquets!
The scientific name for this beautiful flower is Rosa ‘WEKswenchev’.
Type of plant
Enduring or long-lasting
The plants need an ample amount of sunlight to grow and thrive. Therefore, they require full sun exposure.
The vertical measurement
between two and three feet.
The specific climatic zones for planting are between 5-9. In my opinion, ‘Life’s Little Pleasures’ is the most exceptional miniature rose available. Despite the harsh winter in Zone 5, this lovely rose displayed outstanding resilience while other roses withered away. Currently, I’m anticipating warmer temperatures so that I can enjoy the charming lilac blooms of this plant.
As a gift, I received this beauty in its original container from a supermarket. The pot contained five separate roses to provide a fuller appearance. For better growth and development, I planted each rose individually in the ground. Each year, I appreciate the delightful hedge of low-growing double blooms in this unique hue.
‘Life’s Little Pleasures’ is a robust and bountiful bloomer and looks beautiful in small bouquets or mixed with larger blooms for added interest. It also has a light, pleasant scent. This plant usually stays around 2ft tall and is ideal for growing in containers or positioned at the front of the bed.
The ‘Cardinal de Richelieu’ rose is a stunning example of a gallica rose, which happens to be the oldest rose class in cultivation. This particular variety was introduced in 1847 and perfectly embodies the characteristics of this class. Its blooms have an abundance of petals and boast a deep amethyst color with a lighter shade on the reverse side.
This rose is named after Louis XIII’s chief minister and is certainly a valuable addition to any garden. It grows in a gentle mounding shape and has nodding flowers that create a beautiful display in late spring to early summer. It’s important to note that ‘Cardinal de Richelieu’ does spread via suckers, so make sure you have enough room for it to grow or relocate its offspring for added color.
Overall, this rose’s deep purple color is difficult to find in other varieties, making it a unique and special addition to any garden.
The ‘Minerva’ flower boasts a rich and captivating mulberry shade. Its dark burgundy buds eventually give way to voluminous, frilly blooms that make quite an impression. This particular variety is known for producing generous clusters of flowers throughout the year, from spring until frost.
In tribute to the Roman Goddess of Wisdom, ‘Minerva’ has an air of elegance and refinement, with striking olive green leaves. When the blooms reach full bloom, they may reveal silvery white streaks and centers, making them even more eye-catching. With its distinct and sweet fragrance, this variety has earned numerous accolades.
However, it’s important to note that ‘Minerva’ is prone to fungal issues in humid climates. Ensure that it receives plenty of sunlight, and implement proper pruning techniques to maintain its health and fullness.
If you’re a fan of the beloved French children’s story, then ‘Le Petit Prince’ is the perfect floribunda for you. This unique rose offers a delightful fragrance that one simply cannot resist along with its charming silvery lavender flowers. Pairing it with cream or white flowers in your garden will present an exquisite and captivating view. You’ll want to keep cutting this beauty to bring its 4.5-inch citrus and anise-scented blooms indoors to enjoy the aroma at all times. ‘Le Petit Prince’ grows quickly and produces several flushes throughout the summer season. If you reside in a warm climate, be prepared for this rose to grow taller than usual, exceeding 5 feet. Although it can endure hot temperatures, it prefers a bit of afternoon shade to maintain its delicate color. Additionally, it has good resistance to pests and diseases.
Looking for a rose that can thrive in a container garden? Check out the ‘Lavender Veranda’! This lovely plant is specifically bred to perform well in pots and containers, making it perfect for gardeners working with limited space. With its copious blooms and healthy shrub, it’ll be sure to bring some charm to your garden all season long. The light plum hue of the flowers perfectly contrasts with the deep forest green pointed leaves, giving this rose a sophisticated look. Not only does it look great in formal beds, but it’s also an ideal choice for your back patio. ‘Lavender Veranda’ is a miniature version of an English Garden rose, and while it may not have strong fragrance, some do detect a pleasant medium lemon scent. So if you’re looking for a compact rose that’s easy to care for and looks stunning in a container, ‘Lavender Veranda’ is definitely worth considering!
The stunning climbing rose known as ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ boasts deep plum-colored flowers that completely cover its canes with color from the start of spring to the end of fall. The white centers and bright golden stamens of the open blooms add to its allure, and no photograph can fully capture its captivating beauty. This remarkable rose plant can grow up to 8 feet tall and will definitely draw the attention of visitors to your garden due to its groundbreaking color. For a truly enchanting entrance to your garden, consider planting one on each side of an arbor. The vibrant flowers are offset by light green foliage in the springtime and produce a spicy fragrance that is sure to entice you. In 2003, ‘Rhapsody’ was named the “Rose of the Year” by The Royal Horticultural Society, which attests to its excellence and appeal.
The ‘Twilight Zone’ grandiflora is a highly regarded and healthy plant that has been recognized with awards. Its flowers are deep velvety magenta in color and possess an air of mystery. This variety is known for its long vase life, consistent repeat blooming, and strong citrus-spice scent, making it a favorite among garden enthusiasts. The blooms are plentiful, appearing in clusters from spring through fall, and are fully double. ‘Twilight Zone’ thrives in areas with high rainfall and can tolerate some shade, making it a versatile and attractive addition to any garden. For added visual appeal, consider pairing it with apricot roses or giant orange marigolds as a companion planting.
If you’re looking for a lavender rose, then don’t forget to include the smoky lilac ‘Poseidon’ in your list. This particular rose has large cupped rosette blooms and ash pink lining on its outer petals. Its old-fashioned style bouquets are truly eye-catching. What’s more, ‘Poseidon’ is a strong grower with lots of glossy green leaves that make it a great addition to any garden. It has won several international awards for its outstanding performance and stunning silvery color. If you lean in closer, you can appreciate the fruity fragrance that it gives off.
To create an ethereal look, pair ‘Poseidon’ with gaura and white cosmos. However, take note that this rose tends to get scorched in the hot sun. Hence, it’s best to give it some afternoon shade.
The rose variety known as ‘Burlesque’ boasts a gorgeous appearance, featuring deep wine-colored blooms with light fuchsia flecks and stripes. It’s a more sultry version of the striped ‘Purple Tiger’, providing a perfect play of light and dark. This striking flower would be a stylish addition to a mixed bed alongside dark purple salvia or can serve as a beautiful potted specimen plant. Its exotic rose perfume-like scent is truly delightful, and it’s also a long-lasting cut flower. This healthy rose is sure to impress with its abundance of style and prefers full sun but can tolerate light shade. You can expect the best bloom flush in spring or early summer, with occasional repeat blooms.
Don’t miss out on the enchanting rambling rose ‘Veilchenblau’ if you have a spacious outdoor area. This unique blue-violet rose can reach up to 20 feet in height and is a showstopper when in full bloom during the late spring season. The small purple flowers with white centers cover the plant for about five weeks, creating a stunning display of color and fragrance resembling sugared Lily-of-the-Valley. ‘Veilchenblau’ is almost thornless, making it an ideal choice for a children’s garden and blooms exceptionally well in shaded areas. Remember to wait until the flowers have withered before pruning once-blooming ramblers to avoid snipping off future blooms. Overall, this hardy and low-maintenance rose is a must-have for any garden enthusiast!
The rose known as ‘Arctic Blue’ is a notable flower that boasts double blooms with lilac-gray petals and an ivory reverse. As the blooms mature, their icy purple hues become more apparent, and the shrub itself has an informal growth habit with plentiful clusters of double flowers throughout the summer season. Although its citrusy fragrance may be subtle, it is still enjoyable, especially in warmer temperatures. Once established, this rose is drought-resistant and requires only occasional watering. Its beauty is comparable to that of a florist’s arrangement. Purple roses add a touch of serene elegance to any garden, and are available in a variety of shades ranging from the lightest lilac to deep plum. Choose the type that complements your climate and style, and consider planting companion plants to ward off pests and disease. Revel in the beauty of your roses!
