Many of the plants grown in the United States as bedding plant annuals are actual tropical in origin, which explains why they are harmed by late spring frosts and the killing Autumn freezing temperatures. Some of these beautiful plants come to us from areas in Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, South America and the Mediterranean region.

Some of the bedding plants with purple blooms are native plants, which are more naturally insect resistant, salt tolerant and have natural disease resistance. Most annuals grow well with average soil moisture and partial or full sun, though some can take full shade, giving the home gardener more options for use in the landscape.

Annuals can be grown directly in the ground, in containers for patios and decks or in hanging baskets. Annuals, with their blasts of color, are used for edging, mass of color, filling in spots between established shrubs, trees and evergreens and as groundcovers.

Annuals that flower purple add a special grace to a landscape. The strong, vibrant purple color can be enjoyed throughout the season and blends well with lavender, orchid, lilac, violet, white, blue, pink and looks particularly striking mixed with green and white variegated foliage on shrubs, groundcovers and evergreens. 

The most well known annuals with purple flowers are: Dianthus, Fan Flowers, Fountain Grass, Mexican Heather, Phlox, Salvia and Sweet William.

Cornflower is a blue flowering annual that makes an excellent cut flower. Due the long-lasting quality of the flower it was often cut and placed in the buttonhole of a suit or shirt during the past decades.

Annual Phlox is another purple flowering perennial and the sweetly scented blossoms make nice cut-flowers.

To view learn more about purple flowering annuals, please visit Virtual Plant Tags.