The local meadows enchant with picturesque flowers in numerous colors from spring to autumn. In this article you will be introduced to 50 native meadow flowers in purple.

In a nutshell

  • Purple meadow flowers are quite common in German-speaking countries
  • can be confused with other flowers in shades of blue or red due to the subtle color gradations
  • the flowering splendor extends through the species over the entire year

Types from A - C

field mint (Mentha arvensis)

  • Flower color: lilac, pink-lilac
  • Growth height: 15 cm to 60 cm
  • Flowering period: July to late September
  • Leaves and flowers edible

Field Scabious (Knautia arvensis)

Source: AnRo0002, 20220525Knautia arvensis3, edited from Plantopedia, CC0 1.0
  • Flower color: violet-purple
  • Growth height: 30 cm to 100 cm
  • Flowering time: mid-May to August
  • bee friendly

Bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)

Source: AnRo0002, 20160813Solanum dulcamara1, edited from Plantopedia, CC0 1.0
  • Flower color: blue-purple
  • Growth height: 30 cm to 200 cm
  • Flowering time: June to the end of August
  • poisonous steroid alkaloids are contained in all parts of the plant
  • avoid consumption

Broad-leaved thyme (Thymus pulegioides)

  • Flower color: purple
  • Growth height: 5 cm to 40 cm
  • Flowering period: early June to early October
  • Leaves, shoot tips and flowers are edible

Types from D - F

Thorn Hollowtooth (Galeopsis tetrahit)

  • Flower color: purple, pink
  • Growth height: 15 cm to 75 cm
  • Flowering period: June to mid-October
  • Edible parts: flowers, seeds, leaves, roots

Sweet violet (Viola odorata)

Source: Jörg Hempel, Viola odorata 02, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 2.0 DE
  • Flower color: dark purple
  • Growth height: 5 cm to 15 cm
  • Flowering time: March to the end of April
  • pleasantly sweet scented

Common comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

Comfrey, Source: AnRo0002, 20140427Symphytum officinale1, Edited from Plantopedia, CC0 1.0
  • Flower color: purple, reddish purple, white, yellow
  • Growth height: 25 cm to 100 cm
  • Flowering time: mid-May to August
  • contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which could damage the liver if consumed frequently
  • confused with thimbles (digitalis).

Notice: Common comfrey is a classic example of native meadow flowers that are not only available in purple. Don't be surprised if you find a white or yellowish specimen.

Vervain (Verbena officinalis)

  • Flower color: pale lilac
  • Growth height: 20 cm to 80 cm
  • Flowering time: mid-May to mid-October
  • Leaves and flowers edible

Peanut vetchling (Lathyrus tuberosus)

  • Flower color: pink-purple
  • Growth height: about 100 cm
  • Flowering period: June to late July
  • food plant
  • can be used in many ways, e.g. for oil extraction or soil improvement

European sea mustard (Cakile maritima)

Source: Jürgen Howaldt, Cakile-maritima-(eurMeersenf) 1, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 2.0 DE
  • Flower color: purple, pink
  • Growth height: up to 30 cm
  • Flowering period: July to mid-September
  • found in Germany only on the coasts

Tip: The European sea mustard is a halophyte among the purple meadow flowers. Halophytes are plants that have no problem with highly saline soils.

Fine Ray (Erigeron annuus)

  • Flower color: faint purple, white
  • Growth height: 50 cm to 110 cm
  • Flowering period: mid-June to October
  • originally from North America
  • has been native to Europe since the 18th century

Notice: Of all the species mentioned in this list, the fine ray has the faintest shade of violet. For this reason, some specimens appear as if they only have white flowers, but belong to the purple meadow flowers.

Spring Light Flower (Colchicum bulbocodium)

Source: Meneerke bloem, Colchicum bulbocodium4, edited from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Flower color: lilac-pink, white
  • Growth height: 5 cm to 15 cm
  • Flowering time: February to April
  • largest distribution in the Alps

Foxtail clover (Trifolium rubens)

  • also known as purple clover
  • Flower color: purple, rarely white
  • Growth height: up to 60 cm
  • Flowering period: June to late July
  • Bee plant, purple meadow flower

Species with G

Common ox tongue (Anchusa officinalis)

  • Flower color: initially carmine red, later dark violet with shades of blue, more rarely white
  • Growth height: up to 120 cm
  • Flowering period: June to mid-September
  • attracts pollinating insects

Clinopodium vulgare (Clinopodium vulgare)

Source: AnRo0002, 20140807Clinopodium vulgare2, edited from Plantopedia, CC0 1.0
  • Flower color: purple, rarely white
  • Growth height: 20 cm to 60 cm
  • Flowering period: July to mid-October
  • without flowers easily confused with oregano (Origanum vulgare).

Common fumitory (Fumaria officinalis)

  • Flower color: purple, pink, tips colored dark red or black
  • Growth height: up to 50 cm
  • Flowering period: May to early November
  • poisonous in all parts of the plant

Common Heron's Bill (Erodium cicutarium)

Source: AnRo0002, 20220406Erodium cicutarium2, edited from Plantopedia, CC0 1.0
  • Flower color: purple, pink, less often white
  • Growth height: 10 cm to 60 cm
  • Flowering period: April to September
  • attracts pollinating insects

Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

  • Flower color: purple
  • Growth height: 50 cm to 200 cm
  • Flowering period: early June to mid-September
  • forms 3 different flower shapes

Grass Vetchling (Lathyrus nissolia)

  • Flower color: purple
  • Growth height: 20 cm to 40 cm
  • Flowering period: May to July
  • flower quite small

Great Brunelle (Prunella grandiflora)

Source: Udo Schmidt from Germany, Prunella grandiflora (L.) Scholl. (9371156406), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Flower color: dark lilac, crimson, less often white or pink
  • Growth height: up to 30 cm
  • Flowering time: June to the end of August
  • mostly found in limestone areas and poor meadows

Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea)

Ground ivy, Glechoma hederacea
  • Flower color: blue-purple with purple spots
  • Growth height: up to 200 cm
  • Flowering time: April to early July
  • is used as a spice

Types of H - J

Grove sage (Salvia nemorosa)

  • Flower color: lilac-blue
  • Growth height: 20 cm to 70 cm
  • Flowering period: June to July
  • pleasant smell
  • attracts pollinating insects

Hare Lettuce (Prenanthes purpurea)

Source: Meneerke bloem, Prenanthes purpurea 001, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Flower color: purple
  • Growth height: 30 cm to 150 cm
  • Flowering period: July to August
  • mostly found in hilly and mountainous areas

Heather Pink (Dianthus deltoides)

Dianthus deltoides
  • Flower color: purple with white dots
  • Growth height: up to 40 cm
  • Flowering period: June to mid-September
  • available in a variety of different colored varieties

Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale)

Autumn crocus, Colchicum autumnale
  • Flower color: purple, pink
  • Growth height: up to 30 cm
  • Flowering time: September to the end of October, more rarely in spring
  • highly toxic in all parts of the plant
  • Risk of confusion with wild garlic
  • attracts pollinating insects

Types of K - Q

Corn wheel (Agrostemma githago)

  • Flower color: purple, pink
  • Growth height: 50 cm to 100 cm
  • Flowering period: July to late September
  • highly toxic in all parts

Thistle (Cirsium)

  • Flower color: purple, pink
  • Growth height: 5 cm to 300 cm
  • Flowering time: depends on species

Crab thistle (Onopordum acanthium)

  • Flower color: purple
  • Growth height: 50 cm to 300 cm
  • Growth width after two years up to 150 cm
  • Flowering period: early July to September

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Source: Olivier Pichard, Medicago sativa vallee-de-grace-amiens 80 17062007 1, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Flower color: lilac, crimson, white
  • Growth height: up to 100 cm
  • Flowering period: June to late September
  • attracts pollinating insects, especially butterflies

Types of M - T

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum)

  • Flower color: purple
  • Growth height: 15 cm to 150 cm
  • Flowering period: June to late September
  • rarely found

Nodding thistle (Carduus nutans)

  • Flower color: purple
  • Growth height: 25 cm to 100 cm
  • Flowering period: early July to September
  • attracts pollinating insects, hoverflies and butterflies

Purple Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum)

  • Flower color: purple
  • Growth height: 15 cm to 50 cm
  • Flowering time: March to mid-October
  • provides food for bumblebees and bees in spring

Types of R - V

Rapunzel bellflower (Campanula rapunculus)

  • Flower color: light purple
  • Growth height: 25 cm to 100 cm
  • Flowering time: June to the end of August
  • The leaves and roots are edible

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

red foxglove, Digitalis purpurea
  • Flower color: lilac, rarely white
  • Growth height: up to 200 cm
  • Flowering period: June to mid-August
  • highly toxic in all parts of the plant

Red toothbrush (Odontites vulgaris)

Source: GreLLIniK, Зубчатка обыкновенная 2, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Flower color: purple
  • Growth height: 20 cm to 60 cm
  • Flowering period: July to late September
  • Food base for wild bees

Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna)

Black deadly nightshade, Atropa belladonna
  • Flower color: brownish purple
  • Growth height: 50 cm to 200 cm
  • Flowering time: June to the end of August
  • highly toxic in all parts of the plant
  • the berries in particular often lead to poisoning

Scabiosa knapweed (Centaurea scabiosa)

  • Flower color: purple, bright red, less often white
  • Growth height: up to 120 cm
  • Flowering period: June to mid-August
  • attracts pollinating insects

Sprouting rock carnation (Petrorhagia prolifera)

Source: AnRo0002, 20220926Petrorhagia prolifera2, edited from Plantopedia, CC0 1.0
  • Flower color: red-purple, red
  • Growth height: up to 50 cm
  • Flowering period: early June to October
  • highly endangered
  • should not be picked

Marsh Skullcap (Scutellaria galericulata)

  • Flower color: blue-purple, lilac, white
  • Lower lip with white spot and purple line
  • Growth height: 10 cm to 50 cm
  • Flowering period: June to September

Vetch (Vicia cracca)

  • Flower color: purple, blue-purple
  • Growth height: 25 cm to 120 cm
  • Flowering time: June to the end of August
  • attracts pollinating insects

Types of W - Z

Wood Ziest (Stachys sylvatica)

Source: AnemoneProjectors, Hedge Woundwort (Stachys sylvatica), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Flower color: purple, pink, dark red, burgundy
  • Growth height: 30 cm to 120 cm
  • Flowering period: early June to September
  • found in shaded meadows despite the name

Meadow Bellflower (Campanula patula)

  • Flower color: purple, blue-purple
  • Growth height: 15 cm to 70 cm
  • Flowering period: May to mid-July

Meadow sage (Salvia pratensis)

  • Flower color: blue-purple
  • Growth height: 30 cm to 75 cm
  • Flowering period: late May to mid-August
  • Leaves can be used as a spice

Meadow bittercress (Cardamine pratensis)

  • Flower color: soft purple, pink, white
  • Growth height: 5 cm to 80 cm
  • Flowering time: April to July
  • mostly found in wet meadows

Meadow cranesbill (Geranium pratense)

Source: Tree in the park, meadow cranesbill.Teck nature reserve.Germany.BadenWürttemberg.Esslingen district, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Flower color: blue-purple
  • Growth height: 15 cm to 80 cm
  • Flowering period: June to August

Wild cardoon (Dipsacus fullonum)

  • Flower color: purple, blue
  • Growth height: up to 150 cm
  • Flowering period: July to mid-August
  • collects drinkable rain and dew water in funnels

Wild mallow (Malva sylvestris)

Wild mallow, Malva sylvestris
  • Flower color: purple
  • Growth height: 25 cm to 125 cm
  • Flowering period: mid-May to September
  • forms edible fruits

Woolly burdock (Arctium tomentosum)

Source: Donald Hobern from Copenhagen, Denmark, Arctium tomentosum (28007109254), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY 2.0
  • Flower color: purple
  • Growth height: 50 cm to 250 cm
  • Flowering period: early July to mid-September
  • forms flower heads with hairs

Fence Vetch (Vicia sepium)

  • Flower color: red-purple, white, yellow, blue
  • Growth height: 30 cm to 60 cm
  • Flowering period: May to August
  • Forage plant with high protein content

Shaggy willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum)

Source: AnRo0002, 20220722Epilobium hirsutum2, edited from Plantopedia, CC0 1.0
  • Flower color: purple
  • Growth height: 50 cm to 250 cm
  • Flowering period: July to late September
  • provides food for the caterpillars of numerous species of butterflies

frequently asked Questions

Are there differences between purple and violet meadow flowers?

The terms "purple" and "violet" actually describe the same color tone and the nuances that occur with it. They have become firmly established in everyday language, which can sometimes lead to some confusion, since not everyone uses the same word for the hue. Purple is also part of this color spectrum and can be seen in many flowers.

Is it worth cultivating the purple meadow flowers?

Cultivating native meadow flowers in your own garden or in tubs supports numerous insects with a permanent source of food. Bees and butterflies in particular benefit from the large selection, as many species produce nectar or pollen. Especially in urban areas, cultivated specimens are often one of the few food sources for pollinating insects.

Do the wildflowers need special care?

Fortunately, the native meadow flowers are undemanding plants that require little care. The right location and soil are much more important for the flowers so that they can establish themselves in a relaxed manner. In addition, many species are only annuals, which makes overwintering measures unnecessary.

Category:

Indoor plants