What Are The Purple Spring Flowers Called

If you’ve spotted a burst of purple in the early garden, you’re probably wondering what are the purple spring flowers called. These vibrant blooms are some of the first signs of life after winter, and identifying them adds so much joy to the season. Let’s look at the most common and beautiful purple spring flowers you’re likely to see.

Many purple spring flowers fall into a few reliable categories: bulbs, perennials, and flowering shrubs. Their names often reflect their charming character, from classic hyacinths to delicate violets. Knowing their names helps you care for them and plan your garden for years of spring color.

Early Spring Purple Bulbs

Bulbs are often the very first to appear, pushing through cold soil. They store energy from the previous year to fuel their early show.

Crocus: Tiny but mighty, these are often the absolute first blooms. Their cup-shaped flowers come in purple, white, and yellow. They naturalize easily, meaning they spread over time.
Hyacinth: Known for their incredible fragrance and dense clusters of star-shaped flowers. The purple varieties are deeply colored and make a strong visual and scent statement.
Grape Hyacinth (Muscari): These aren’t true hyacinths. They have unique, grape-like clusters of tiny blue-purple bells. They’re extremely tough and spread readily in sunny spots.
Iris Reticulata: A dwarf iris that blooms very early. It has intricate, delicate flowers with beautiful markings on a rich purple background.
Tulips: Many tulip varieties offer stunning purple blooms in mid to late spring. Look for ‘Queen of Night’ (deep maroon-purple) or ‘Purple Prince’ for a classic look.

Reliable Purple Perennials

These plants come back year after year, establishing themselves and often expanding their clumps. They typically bloom a bit later than the first bulbs.

Lungwort (Pulmonaria): One of the earliest perennials. It sports unique spotted foliage and clusters of flowers that often change from pink to blue-purple as they age.
Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata): Forms a low, mat-like carpet of evergreen foliage that gets completely covered in tiny purple flowers. It’s perfect for slopes or rock gardens.
Pasque Flower (Pulsatilla): A true spring gem with silky, bell-shaped purple flowers and fuzzy stems. It’s followed by whimsical, silvery seed heads.
Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica): While they start pink, their bell-shaped flowers mature to a soft, beautiful blue-purple. They thrive in woodland settings.

Flowering Shrubs & Vines

These provide structure and larger-scale color to your spring landscape.

Lilac (Syringa): The classic spring shrub, famous for its heavenly fragrance and large panicles of purple, lavender, or white flowers. They need good sun to bloom well.
Wisteria: A vigorous vine that produces breathtaking, hanging chains of purple flowers. It requires strong support and regular pruning to keep it under control.
Rhododendron & Azalea: Many varieties offer stunning purple blooms in mid-spring. They prefer acidic soil and some protection from harsh afternoon sun.

How to Identify Your Mystery Purple Flower

Found a purple bloom and don’t know its name? Follow these simple steps to figure it out.

Step 1: Examine the Flower Shape & Structure

Look closely. Is it a single bloom or a cluster? Note the petal shape and arrangement.

Bell-shaped: Think bluebells, grape hyacinth, or snowdrops.
Star-shaped: Hyacinths have many tiny star-shaped florets packed together.
Cup-shaped: Crocus and tulips have this classic form.
Pea-shaped: Sweet peas or some vetches; this indicates a member of the legume family.

Step 2: Look at the Leaves & Stem

Leaf shape, arrangement, and texture are huge clues. Also note the stem—is it smooth, hairy, square, or round?

Grassy, thin leaves often point to bulbs like crocus or iris.
Broad, heart-shaped leaves might belong to violets or wild geraniums.
Fuzzy or hairy leaves and stems are key for plants like pasque flower or lungwort.

Step 3: Note the Growth Habit & Size

How is the plant growing in the ground?

Low carpet: Creeping phlox, periwinkle (Vinca).
Single stems from the ground: Most bulbs and some perennials like tulips.
Clumping mound: Many perennials, like lungwort, form a clump of foliage.
Woody stem: This means it’s a shrub (lilac) or vine (wisteria).

Step 4: Consider the Time & Place

Location and timing are critical. Is it blooming in early March or late May? Is it in full sun, a wooded area, or a damp ditch?

Early March bloomers: Crocus, snowdrops, winter aconite.
Mid-spring bloomers: Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths.
Woodland plants: Virginia bluebells, violets, trillium.
Sun-loving plants: Most bulbs, creeping phlox, lilacs.

Caring for Your Purple Spring Blooms

To ensure they return beautifully each year, they need the right care. Most spring bloomers are pretty low-maintenance once established.

For Bulbs:

Let the foliage die back naturally after blooming. This is how the plant stores energy for next year. Don’t braid or cut it while it’s still green.
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as they emerge.
If they become overcrowded after a few years, you can dig them up and divide the clumps after the foliage has yellowed.

For Perennials & Shrubs:

Mulch around them to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Deadhead spent flowers on perennials to encourage more blooms, unless you want them to self-seed.
Prune spring-flowering shrubs like lilac right after they finish blooming. Pruning later in the season will remove next year’s flower buds.

Designing with Purple Spring Flowers

Purple is a versatile color in the garden. It can create cool, calming moods or vibrant contrasts.

Monochromatic Beds: Combine different shades of purple, from pale lavender hyacinths to deep purple tulips, for a sophisticated look. Add silver foliage plants like lambs ear for texture.
Complementary Contrast: Pair purple with its opposite on the color wheel: yellow. Purple crocus with yellow winter aconite, or purple tulips with yellow daffodils, creates a vibrant, classic spring combination.
Naturalizing: Scatter bulbs like crocus or grape hyacinth in lawns or under deciduous trees for a casual, wildflower effect. Remember, you can’t mow the lawn until their foliage fades.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common purple spring flower?

Crocus and grape hyacinth (Muscari) are arguably the most widespread in gardens and lawns. They’re tough, spread easily, and are among the very first to bloom.

What are the tiny purple flowers in my lawn in spring?

Those are almost certainly either crocus or ground ivy (a weed with tiny purple flowers). Crocus has a more cup-shaped bloom, while ground ivy is a creeping vine with scalloped leaves.

What purple spring flowers are good for shade?

Virginia bluebells, lungwort, violets, and certain primroses thrive in partial to full shade. They are perfect for brightening up woodland gardens.

Are there purple spring flowers that deer avoid?

Yes! Deer tend to avoid most bulbs like hyacinths and daffodils, as well as plants with fuzzy foliage like lungwort and pasque flower. They also usually leave lavender and rosemary alone, though those bloom later.

What is the fragrant purple spring flower?

Hyacinths and lilacs are famous for their powerful, sweet fragrance. A few blooms can scent an entire garden or room.

Identifying your purple spring blooms makes gardening more rewarding. Once you know their names, you can learn their simple needs and help them thrive. With this guide, you’ll be able to recognize the cheerful crocus, the stately hyacinth, and the graceful bluebells that signal winter’s end. Your spring garden will be a source of color and joy for many seasons to come.