44 PURPLE Wildflowers in Florida! (ID Guide)

Did you find a purple wildflower in Florida?

If so, I’m sure you’re wondering what type of wildflower it is! Luckily, you can use this guide to help you identify it. 🙂

Today, we will look at 44 common wildflowers that are purple in Florida.

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#1. Bull Thistle

• Cirsium vulgare

Also known as Boar Thistle, Common Thistle, Dodder, and Spear Thistle.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a-8b
• Life Cycle: Biennial
• Approximate mature size: 2-6′ (.6-1.8 m)
• Bloom Time: Summer, Fall
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Sun to Partial Shade

 

Bull Thistle is a spiny and common purple wildflower in Florida.

 

So be careful if handling! It’s also a great flower if you want to attract giant bees and butterflies.

 

The seeds of this thistle are the preferred menu item for the American Goldfinch. However, these birds also use the thistledown to line their nests; thus, they wait until the flowers bloom in late summer to raise their young.

• RELATED: 4 Simple Ways To Attract Goldfinches!

 

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#2. Alfalfa

• Medicago sativa

Also known as Lucerne.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a-11
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 1-3′ (30-90 cm)
• Bloom Time: Spring, Summer, Fall
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun

 

Farmers often plant alfalfa as a food crop for farm animals, and it fixes nitrogen from the air into the soil through its roots.

 

This purple wildflower is native to warmer climates and attracts many bees, butterflies, and birds.

• RELATED: 17 Ways to Attract MORE Butterflies!

 

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#3. Smooth Blue Aster

• Symphyotrichum laeve

Also known as Glaucous Aster and Michealmas Daisy.

Growing Information:

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 1-3′ (30-90 cm)
• Bloom Time: Summer, Fall
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Sun

 

You will find this striking purple wildflower in plains, meadows, and hillsides throughout Florida.

 

Like the hairs on a dandelion, the Smooth Blue Aster pappi (ring of fine feathery hairs surrounding seeds) allows the seeds to be spread by the wind.

 

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#4. Winter Vetch

• Vicia villosa

Also known as Vicia Species, Fodder Vetch, and Hairy Vetch.

Growing Information:

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-7
• Life Cycle: Annual, Biennial, Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 1-3′ (30-91 cm)
• Bloom Time: Summer, Fall
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Sun to Partial Sun

 

Often gardeners plant Winter Vetch as a companion plant to tomatoes. This is done because the Winter Vetch helps put nitrogen in the soil, which helps keep weeds from sprouting.

 

This purple wildflower grows in various places such as forests, grasslands, meadows, old fields, roadsides, and disturbed areas. It also is considered invasive in some areas.

 

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#5. Clasping Venus’ Looking Glass

• Triodanis perfoliata

Also known as Roundleaf Triodanis and Clasping Bellflower.

Growing Information:

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 2-11
• Life Cycle: Annual
• Approximate mature size: 6-36″ (15-91 cm)
• Bloom Time: Spring, Summer
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun

 

In Florida, you can find this purple wildflower in habitats with dry sandy soils such as disturbed areas, gardens, and woods.

 

You can identify the Clasping Venus’ Looking Glass by looking for the flowers blooming in the rounded leaves. This plant can self-pollinate and attracts small butterflies, bees, and flies.

 

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#6. Kudzu

• Pueraria montana

Also known as Japenese Arrowroot, Kudzu Bean, and Kudzu Vine.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 5b-11
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 30-100′ (9.1-30 m)
• Bloom Time: Summer, Fall
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Sun to Partial Shade

 

This climbing purple wildflower climbs surfaces such as trees, cliffs, and walls and grows as ground cover if there are no vertical surfaces.

 

Kudzu is a widespread purple wildflower and is INCREDIBLY INVASIVE in Florida. The seeds spread quickly from human actions, along with mammals and birds.

 

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#7. Bee Balm

• Monarda fistulosa

Buy/View Seeds HERE!

Also known as Wild Bergamot, Horsemint, and Wild Bee Balm.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a-9b
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 2-4′ (60-120 cm)
• Bloom Time: Summer
• Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade

 

Look for this fragrant clump-forming perennial with beautiful lilac-purple wildflowers in dry areas of fields, prairies, and along roads in Florida.

 

Bee Balm leaves make a refreshing tea that provides many health benefits, as its antimicrobial properties help ward off colds and the flu. Steaming the plant can also help clear nasal passages while creating a poultice from Bee Balm could prove helpful in treating headaches, sores, muscle cramps, or fungal infections. Lastly, Monarda can stimulate uterine contractions, so expecting women shouldn’t use it.

 

The main reason that I grow Bee Balm in my flower garden is to attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and pollinator bees. When this NATIVE perennial is in full bloom, birds and insects won’t be able to resist visiting the nectar-rich flowers. Many people claim that Bee Balm is so effective at drawing in hummingbirds that they no longer have to worry about filling their feeders!

• 28 Common Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds! (Native, Easy To Grow)

 

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#8. Spotted Knapweed

• Centaurea stoebe

Also known as Panicled Knapweed.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a-10b
• Life Cycle: Biennial
• Approximate mature size: 2-3′ (60-90cm)
• Bloom Time: Summer, Fall
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun

 

You will usually find these wildflowers along roads and open fields throughout Florida.

 

This purple wildflower is considered a weed in many places because it can crowd out other plants. However, it is also an allelopathic plant, which chemically changes the soil to discourage other plants from growing and favor its offspring. I can’t believe how rude Spotted Knapweed can be, but it is an effective evolutionary advantage!

 

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#9. Dame’s Rocket

• Hesperis matronalis

Also known as the Damask-violet, Dame’s-violet, Dames-wort, Dame’s Gilliflower, Night-scented Gilliflower, Queen’s Gilliflower, Rogue’s Gilliflower, Summer Lilac, Sweet Rocket, Mother-of-the-evening, Good & Plenties, and Winter Gilliflower.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
• Life Cycle: Biennials or Short-lived Perennials
• Approximate mature size: 1-4′ (30-122 cm)
• Bloom Time: Early to Mid Spring
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade

 

This purple wildflower is widespread throughout Florida. Dame’s Rocket is fast-spreading and found in meadows and woodlands. Look for them included in prepackaged “wildflower seed” mixes.

 

In some areas, this plant is considered invasive. However, the young leaves of this spring-blooming flower are high in Vitamin C, can be eaten in salads, and have a slightly bitter taste.

 

Dame’s Rocket is often confused with native Phlox species with similar large flower clusters. However, you can tell the difference between them by Dame’s Rocket has alternately arranged leaves and four petals per flower, while phloxes have opposite leaves and five petals.

 

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#10. Tall Morning Glory

• Ipomoea purpurea

Also known as Purple Morning Glory and Common Morning Glory.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 2-11
• Life Cycle: Annual
• Approximate mature size: 12-15′ (3.7-4.6 m)
• Bloom Time: Summer, Fall
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Sun to Partial Shade

 

This purple wildflower is considered a weed, and it can grow in dry and rich soil. Look for this perennial in gardens, old fields, roadsides, and waste sites.

 

Tall Morning Glory seeds have been used as psychedelic in the past. As a result, the seeds you find for sale are commonly treated with toxic methylmercury, which serves as a preservative and a poison to discourage recreational use.

 

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#11. Canada Toadflax

• Nuttallanthus canadensis

Also known as Blue Toadflax and Old-field Toadflax.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 4a-8a
• Life Cycle: Annual, Biennial
• Approximate mature size: 8-10″ (20-45 cm)
• Bloom Time: Early Spring, Summer
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun

 

Canada Toadflax flowers bloom in large numbers in early spring, making them a critical nectar source for honeybees and butterflies. In addition, the leaves of the plant are also an excellent food source for caterpillars.

• RELATED: 34 Host Plants For Butterflies & Caterpillars (UPDATED)

 

This purple wildflower generally grows in full sun areas on roadsides and grasslands. Please note some parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested.

 

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#12. Canada Thistle

• Cirsium arvense

Also known as Canadian Thistle, Lettuce From Hell Thistle, California Thistle, Corn Thistle, Cursed Thistle, Field Thistle, Green Thistle, Hard Thistle, Perennial Thistle, Prickly Thistle, Small-Flowered Thistle, Way Thistle, and Stinger-needles.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a-10b
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 1-5′ (30-150 cm)
• Bloom Time: Late Spring through Early Fall
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade

 

This purple wildflower is an incredibly invasive weed in Florida.

 

This non-native wildflower occurs in various habitats such as wetlands, grasslands, forests, and meadows. It reproduces fast because each plant can have up to 5,300 seeds!

 

Watch out for these wildflowers’ leaves; they are very spiny, and it would not feel good to touch them.

 

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#13. Great Blue Lobelia

• Lobelia siphilitica

Also known as Great Lobelia and Blue Cardinal Flower.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 4a-9b
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 1-4′ (30-120 cm)
• Bloom Time: Summer, Fall
• Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade, Light Shade

 

This perennial flower does not self-pollinate and must be pollinated by insects, bumblebees, or hummingbirds.

 

This purple wildflower thrives in moist to wet soils and partially shaded environments, including swamp forests, roadside ditches, floodplains, lake margins, and wet prairies.

 

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#14. Showy Orchis

• Galearis spectabilis

Also known as Showy Orchid.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-7
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 5-12″ (12.5-30cm)
• Bloom Time: Spring
• Sun Exposure: Partial Shade, Shade

 

This perennial is typically found on shady hillsides, which may be rocky, damp, and under deciduous trees. You will rarely ever see these flowers in the full sun.

 

The Showy Orchis provides nectar for many pollinators such as bumblebees, butterflies, and moths.

• RELATED: 20 PROVEN Plants That Attract Butterflies!

 

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#15. American Hog Peanut

• Amphicarpaea bracteata

Also known as Ground Bean.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 5b
• Life Cycle: Annual, Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 1-5′ (30-152 cm)
• Bloom Time: Summer, Fall
• Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade, Light Shade

 

American Hog Peanuts is unique compared to other purple wildflowers in Florida.

 

The upper flowers are open and pollinated by insects, while lower flowers are low or underground vines that never open and self-pollinate. In addition, both flowers produce seeds, but the lower flowers grow a juicy closed fruit called a Hog Peanut, which is how it got its name.

 

The American Hog Peanut is typically found in the forest, and it attracts several species of butterfly caterpillars that eat its foliage.

 

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#16. Hoary Vervain

• Verbena stricta

Also known as Tall Vervain and Woolly Verbena.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a-9a
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 1-3′ (30-90 cm)
• Bloom Time: Summer
• Sun Exposure: Sun

 

This medium purple wildflower is found in meadows, fields, and dry, sandy soils. It also is extremely drought resistant.

 

Hoary Vervain is an extremely important wildflower as the leaves are the ideal food source for Common Buckeye Butterfly caterpillars. Furthermore, the seeds are also a necessary part of many small birds’ and mammals’ diets.

 

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#17. Harebell

• Campanula rotundifolia

Also known as Bluebell, Scottish Bluebells, Bluebells of Scotland, Roundleaf Bellflower, and Scottish Harebel.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a-8b
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 6-20″ (15-50 cm)
• Bloom Time: Summer, Fall
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Sun to Partial Shade

 

The Harebell has a very thin stem that exudes a milky sap. You can find this purple wildflower in many habitats in Florida.

 

Look for their nodding bell-shaped purple flowers that would be an ideal plant if you wanted to bring color to your backyard.

 

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#18. Shooting Star

• Primula meadia

Also known As American Cowslip, Eastern Shooting Star, Indian Chief, and Rooster Heads.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 4a-7b
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size:10-20″ (25-50 cm)
• Bloom Time: Late Spring, Early Summer
• Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade

 

Look for this flower in forests and prairies, where the flowers bloom in spring. The seeds are dispersed by gusts of wind that shake the flowers.

 

The unique thing about Shooting Stars is the purple flowers grow downward, but the flower stalk becomes upright after pollination.

 

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#19. Wild Geranium

• Geranium maculatum

View/Buy Seeds HERE!

Also known as Cranesbill, Spotted Geranium, and Wood Geranium.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a-8b
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 12-24″ (30-60 cm)
• Bloom Time: Late Spring, Early Summer, Mid Summer
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade

 

You can find this delicate purple wildflower primarily in dry to moist forests in Florida.

 

Wild geraniums are typically found in large groups and make popular garden plants. In addition, this perennial has been used as herbal medicine as an astringent to stop bleeding.

 

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#20. Rice Button Aster

• Symphyotrichum dumosum

Also known as Bushy Aster.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 4a-8b
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 12-36″ (30-91 cm)
• Bloom Time: Late Summer, Early Fall
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun

 

Rice Button Aster is easy to grow and adaptable to various growing conditions, making it an excellent addition to your backyard or garden. Just keep in mind that it may require some thinning to keep it under control.

 

This very light purple perennial blooms in late summer or early fall, but it will bloom throughout the year in warmer climates. Many pollinators love it, particularly butterflies and native bees. This plant is also a larval host for the Pearl Crescent Butterfly.

 

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#21. Field Pansy

• Viola bicolor

Also known as Johnny-jump-up, American Field Pansy, and Wild Pansy.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-10
• Life Cycle: Annual
• Approximate mature size: 2-16″ (5-40 cm)
• Bloom Time: Spring, Summer
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Sun to Partial Shade, Light Shade

 

This bluish-purple wildflower grows in prairies, meadows, wild gardens, and along roads and railroads in Florida.

 

The flowers of the Field Pansy attract wildlife, and they are an early source of nectar for bees. In addition, caterpillars of fritillary butterflies feed on the leaves, and the seeds are eaten by Bobwhite, Wild Turkey, Mourning Dove, and some songbirds.

 

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#22. Sharpwing Monkeyflower

• Mimulus alatus

Also known as Winged Monkey Flower.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a-8b
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 2-4′ (61-122 cm)
• Bloom Time: Summer
• Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade, Light Shade

 

This purple wildflower was named for the appearance of the flower, which some people think looks like a grinning monkey. Look for this perennial on the edges of small rivers, swamps, shady stream banks, wet woods, marshes, and springs.

 

The Sharpwing Monkeyflower grows best in wet to moist conditions and has a fast growth rate.

 

However, this purple wildflower has a short life span compared to most other wildflowers in Florida.

 

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#23. Tall Bellflower

• Campanula americana

Also known as American Bellflower.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-7
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 3-6″ (90-180 cm)
• Bloom Time: Summer
• Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade, Light Shade, Partial to Full Shade

 

This purple wildflower thrives in partial shade along woodland edges, open woods, shaded meadows, streambanks, and ditches in Florida.

 

The Tall Bellflower doesn’t self-pollinate, so it is pollinated by long-tongued Bees, Halictid Bees, butterflies, and skippers.

 

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#24. Rough Blazing Star

• Liatris Aspera

Also known as Blazing Star, Button Snakeroot, Tall Prairie Blazing Star, and Marsh Gayfeather.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a-10b
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 16-48″ (40-120 cm)
• Bloom Time: Summer, Fall
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Sun to Partial Shade

 

This easy-to-grow and low-maintenance perennial are excellent for borders and gardens. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds can’t resist their deep purple flowers. You can also take the fresh cut flowers, dry them, and use them in arrangements.

 

The flowers are on the stalks in clumps from top to bottom, which is unique compared to most other purple wildflowers in Florida.

 

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#25. Texas Toadflax

• Nuttallanthus texanus

Also known as Blue Toadflax.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 4a-8a
• Life Cycle: Annual, Biennial
• Approximate mature size: 4-24″ (10-61 cm)
• Bloom Time: Mid Spring through Summer
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun

 

The Texas Toadflax is easily identified by its long spurs. Many pollinating insects are attracted to the nectar inside.

 

This purple wildflower grows in many habitats such as grasslands, sand, brush, forests, and rocky slopes in Florida.

 

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#26. Venus’ Pride

• Houstonia purpurea

Also known as Purple Bluet, Summer Bluet, and Woodland Bluet.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 6-12″ (15-30″ cm)
• Bloom Time: Spring
• Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade, Light Shade

 

These pretty purple wildflowers are found in dry fields, forests, or meadows in Florida.

 

Venus’ Pride is an excellent low-growing native plant to pair alongside one that grows larger. In addition, there is nothing better than a plant that can grow in the sun or shade.

 

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#27. Eastern Smooth Beardtongue

• Penstemon laevigatus

Also known as Hairy Beardtongue, Eastern Beardtongue, and Pride of the Mountain.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 7a-10b
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 12-36″ (30-90 cm)
• Bloom Time: Summer
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Sun to Partial Shade

 

Look for this purple wildflower in clearings of rich woods, fields, and disturbed sites. The flowers are so pale they look white or pink instead of purple.

 

This perennial is native and called a “beardtongue” because of its brushy yellow tip on the fifth stamen.

 

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#28. Lyreleaf Sage

• Salvia lyrata

Also known as Wild Sage and Cancer Weed.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a-10b
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 12-24″ (30-61 cm)
• Bloom Time: Spring, Summer
• Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade

 

Lyreleaf is a purple wildflower found primarily in open woods and forests. However, you could grow this plant in your garden. It makes a great border!

 

Please note that the color of the flowers intensifies with more shade. Interestingly, young leaves taste minty and can be used in a salad.

 

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#29. Giant Ironweed

• Vernonia gigantea

View/Buy Seeds HERE!

Also known as Tall Ironweed.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a-9a
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 4-8′ (1.2-2.4 m)
• Bloom Time: Summer, Fall
• Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade

 

This perennial is solid and tall with dark purple blooms. The Giant Ironweed is commonly found in meadows and woodlands in Florida.

 

This purple wildflower is a fantastic addition to your backyard garden, especially if planted in a group. Giant Ironweed attracts many types of butterflies, including swallowtails and Monarchs!

 

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#30. Hairy Skullcap

• Scutellaria elliptica

Also known as Common Large Skullcap, Helmet Flower, Rough Skullcap, and Tall Skullcap.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 6b-8a
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 6-36″ (15-90 cm)
• Bloom Time: Late Spring, Mid Fall
• Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Sun, Light Shade

 

This pest-resistant perennial is an excellent choice for your wildflower garden. The best part is deer and rabbits extremely dislike their taste.

 

Hairy Skullcap spreads from their rhizomes (roots) into small groups. You will see these purple wildflowers in meadows and prairies in Florida.

 

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#31. Purple Passionflower

• Passiflora incarnata

Buy/View Seeds HERE!

Also known as Maypop, True Passion Flower. Hardy Passion Vine, Apricot Vine, and Purple Passion Flower.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 6b-10b
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 6-8′ (180-240 cm)
• Bloom Time: MidSummer though Mid Fall
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Sun

 

The Purple Passionflower is a fragrant, beautiful plant. It also produces a fruit, also referred to as a maypop, a yellowish oval similar to the size of an egg; it is green at first but then becomes yellow as it matures. You can eat the fruit off the vine or use it in jelly.

 

The Purple Passionflower is an easy-to-grow winding vine that would enhance any fence or trellis. Moreover, many songbirds, mammals, bees, and butterflies are attracted to these sweet-smelling flowers.

 

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#32. Carolina Wild Petunia

• Ruellia caroliniensis

Also known as Ruellia, Wild Petunia, Hairy Ruellia, Low Wild Petunia, and Hairy Wild Petunia.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 8-11
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 6-12″ (16-30 cm)
• Bloom Time: Summer
• Sun Exposure: Partial Sun, Shade

 

You have probably seen this purple wildflower many times in flower-hanging baskets. Many caterpillars love this strong little flower, including Buckeye Butterfly Caterpillars.

 

In the wild, you will find the Carolina Wild Petunia mostly in forests, by streams of water, or growing in a disturbed site (which is a place where the soil is not great).

 

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#33. America Wisteria

• Wisteria sinensis

Also known as Chinese Wisteria.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 10-40′ (3-12 m)
• Bloom Time: Late Spring, Early Summer
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Sun

 

Known for its vast scented flowers and twisting stems and vines, the American Wisteria is a non-native purple wildflower from China.

 

Please note all parts of this perennial are toxic may cause many stomach issues if ingested. Furthermore, in children, the effects can be more severe.

 

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#34. Purple Thistle

• Cirsium horridulum

Also known as Bristile Thistle, Spiny Thistle, and Horrid Thistle.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 8-11
• Life Cycle: Annual, Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 1-4′ (30-120 cm)
• Bloom Time: Spring
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Sun

 

Some Native Americans used to use the leaves and roots of the Purple Thistle in their tea to aid digestion. This plant also is a larvae host for some ladybugs and butterflies.

 

Like all other thistles in Florida, the Purple Thistle has sharp spines, so please be cautious when handling them.

 

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#35. Downy Lobelia

• Lobelia puberula

Also known as Blue Lobelia and Hairy Lobelia.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 4a-9b
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 24-48″ (60-120 cm)
• Bloom Time: Late Summer, Early Fall, Mid Fall
• Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade, Light Shade

 

This bluish-purple wildflower grows in moderate to moist habitats in Florida. You can usually find the Downy Lobelia with its showy flowers in forests.

 

This plant attracts many different bees, butterflies, and birds. However, please be careful; all plant parts are poisonous if ingested.

 

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#36. New York Ironweed

• Vernonia noveboracensis

Also known as New York Flat Tops.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 4-6′ (120-180 cm)
• Bloom Time: Summer, Late Fall
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun

 

This tall, narrow purple wildflower grows in prairies and meadows in Florida. Each flower head may have up to 50 flowers.

 

This full sun perennial would be an excellent addition to the back of the border to your flower garden. This clump-forming plant is attractive to butterflies, and hungry birds will devour the fluffy seeds.

 

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#37. Brazilian Vervain

• Verbena Brasiliensis

Also known as Brazilian Verbena.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-10
• Life Cycle: Annual
• Approximate mature size: 18-36″ (45-90 cm)
• Bloom Time: Mid-Spring through Mid-Fall
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Sun to Partial Shade

 

Bees, butterflies, and birds are attracted to the beautiful purple flowers of the Brazilian Vervain. In addition, this plant is a minor food source for large mammals and terrestrial birds, comprising 2-5% of their diet.

 

This invasive wildflower is found in disturbed sites by edges of water, forests, and grasslands. Unfortunately, the Brazilian Vervain threatens other native plants because it pushes them out of their natural habitat.

 

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#38. Dwarf Purple Iris

• Iris verna

Also known as Dwarf Violet Iris, North American Dwarf Iris, Spring-flowering Iris, and Spring Iris.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 2-6″ (5-15 cm)
• Bloom Time: Spring, Summer
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Sun

 

This purple wildflower is one of the shortest irises in Florida.

 

Look for this highly fragrant perennial in pinewoods or swamp edges.

 

Dwarf Purple Iris is perfect for your shaded rock garden, woodland garden, or in front of your native plant borders. The best part is it will spread on its own!

 

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#39. Spurred Butterfly Pea

• Centrosema virginianum

Also known as Wild Blue Vine, Blue Bell, and Wild Pea.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 7a-7b
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 2-5′ (61-152 cm)
• Bloom Time: Late Spring, Early Summer
• Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade

 

The Spurred Butterfly Pea is a low-growing perennial vine with roots that fix the nitrogen into the soil, improving soil fertility for other plants.

 

This purple wildflower is found in dry sandy soils in open oak-hickory woods or pinewoods, fields, roadsides, and even coastal dunes in Florida.

 

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#40. Carolina Phlox

• Phlox carolina

Also known as Thickleaf Phlox.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 3-4′ (90-120 cm)
• Bloom Time: Summer
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Sun

 

This purple wildflower is a popular choice for flower gardens in Florida.

 

The Carolina Phlox grows slender, and the blooms make stunning fresh-cut flowers for your vase. It also self-sows without being aggressive, and it is a beautiful flower for your city or informal garden.

 

Many butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to this wildflower.

 

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#41. Shaggy Blazing Star

• Liatris pilosa

Also known as Button Snakeroot and Marsh Gayfeather.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a-10b
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 3-5′ (90-150 cm)
• Bloom Time: Fall
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Sun to Partial Shade

These purple wildflowers have clusters of shaggy reddish-purple flower heads and grass-like leaves, which helps you identify them in Florida.

 

Shaggy Blazing Star grows in sandy or rocky soils in open pinewoods, roadsides, and old fields. It also is attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds.

 

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#42. South American Mock Vervain

• Glandularia aristigera

Also known as Moss Verbena and Mock Vervain ‘Tatted Lace.’

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 7b-8b
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 4-12″ (10-30 cm)
• Bloom Time: Year-round
• Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade

 

This low-growing, side crawling perennial forms large blankets that may exceed several feet in diameter.

 

This drought-tolerant wildflower can survive in various harsh environments such as old fields, disturbed sites, and along roadsides in Florida.

 

The non-native South American Mock Vervains have massive beautiful purple blooms, which attract butterflies and hummingbird moths.

 

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#43. Southern Swamp Aster

• Eurybia paludosa

Also known as Savannah Grass-leaved Aster and Grass-leaved Aster.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 8-9
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 8-36″ (20-91 cm)
• Bloom Time: Summer, Fall
• Sun Exposure: Partial Shade, tolerates Full Sun

 

Southern Swamp Aster is typically found in moist to wet soils in Florida.

 

If you want to get this non-native plant for your garden, you need to know it will tolerate full sun but do not allow the soil to dry out for long. Also, it is best to prune after flowering and cut it back.

 

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#44. Texas Vervain

• Verbena halei

Also known as Texas Verbena and Slender Verbena.

Growing Information

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 7a-9a
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Approximate mature size: 12-30″ (30-76 cm)
• Bloom Time: Spring, Summer
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Sun to Partial Shade

 

This purple wildflower is found across Florida.

 

This hardy perennial is drought tolerant and found on roadsides, fields, and dry forests.

 

The Texas Vervain has slender spikes of small pale flowers that attract butterflies and other pollinating insects. This attractive wildflower is perfect for your wildlife garden.

 

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Do you need more help identifying purple wildflowers in Florida?

 

Check out this guide!

• National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Wildflowers of North America

 

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Which of these purple wildflowers have you seen before in Florida?

 

Leave a comment below!

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