23 PURPLE Wildflowers in New Mexico! (ID Guide)
Did you find a purple wildflower in New Mexico?
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 23 common wildflowers that are purple in New Mexico.
#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 New Mexico.
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.
#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.
#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 New Mexico.
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.
#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.
#5. Common Burdock
- Arctium minus
Also known as Lesser Burdock, Little Burdock, Louse-bur, Button-bur, Cuckoo-button, and Wild Rhubarb.
Growing Information:
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4a-10b
- Life Cycle: Biennial
- Approximate mature size: 4-6′ (120-180 cm)
- Bloom Time: Mid Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Mid Fall
- Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade
You will find this purple wildflower in pastures, open prairies, hayfields, roadsides, old fields, barnyards, railways, and other disturbed areas in New Mexico.
Common Burdock has large leaves and deep purple flowers resembling rhubarb, making this plant easy to identify. After the flower head dries, they are similar to velcro because they stick onto humans and animals to transport the entire seed head.
This purple wildflower attracts bees, butterflies, and birds. Powdery mildew and root rot often affect it. But be careful if you handle this plant; it may cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction.
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#6. 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 New Mexico, 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.
#7. Bee Balm
- Monarda fistulosa
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 New Mexico.
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!
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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 New Mexico.
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!
#9. Purple Loosestrife
- Lythrum salicaria
Also known as Spiked Loosetrife and Purple Lythrum.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a-9b
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 2-5′ (60-150 cm)
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Typically you will see this perennial in ditches, wet meadows, marshes, and along lakes in New Mexico.
It’s hard to believe this is an invasive plant, but this purple wildflower is considered a weed because it takes over and pushes out native plants.
Purple Loosestrife reproduces VERY quickly, as each flower spike can produce up to 300,000 seeds. In addition, it also spreads by growing new shoots from its roots.
#10. New England Aster
- Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Also known as Hardy Aster and Michaelmas Daisy.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a-9b
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 3-7′ (90-210cm)
- Bloom Time: Fall
- Sun Exposure: Late Summer, Early Fall
New England Aster generally grows in wet environments in New Mexico, although this purple wildflower can survive in dry soil or sand.
This purple wildflower is a great perennial for your garden because of its long bloom time in autumn. In addition, if you allow seed heads to dry on the plant, you can remove and collect the seeds for future plantings.
#11. 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 New Mexico. 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.
#12. 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.
#13. 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.
This purple wildflower generally grows in full sun areas on roadsides and grasslands. Please note some parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested.
#14. Purple Coneflower
- Echinacea purpurea
Also known as Eastern Coneflower and Eastern Purple Coneflower.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 2a-10b
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 2-3′ (60-90 cm)
- Bloom Time: Summer, Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Sun to Partial Shade
Purple Coneflower is extremely hardy, which is why people love growing them in their gardens in New Mexico. These flowers are also heat and drought-resistant, which means they will thrive in harsh conditions.
The cone-shaped disc comprises several smaller flowers, which contain loads of nectar. The colorful blooms draw the attention of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Make sure to select an appropriate place in your landscaping beds, as Purple Coneflower grows anywhere from two to four feet high. In addition, coneflowers grow in clumps or clusters up to two feet wide. So be sure to give your plants plenty of room to thrive!
#15. 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 New Mexico.
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.
#16. Bittersweet Nightshade
- Solanum dulcamara
Also known as Bittersweet, Bitter Nightshade, Blue Bindweed, Amara Dulcis, Climbing Nightshade, Fellenwort, Felonwood, Poisonberry, Poisonflower, Scarlet Berry, Snakeberry, Trailing Bittersweet, Trailing Nightshade, Violet Bloom, and Woody Nightshade.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4a-8b
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 2-8′ (60-240 cm)
- Bloom Time: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Sun Exposure: Sun and Light Shade
Look for this woody vine in woodlands, scrublands, hedges, and marshes. This purple wildflower has adorable little berries that some birds eat.
Please be aware that all the parts of the Bittersweet Nightshade are poisonous to humans if ingested. And its foliage is toxic to animals as well. So this is not a plant you want to add to your salad!
#17. 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.
#18. Violet Wood Sorrel
- Oxalis violacea
Also known as Sour Grass, Sour Trefoil, and Shamrock.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a-11
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 4-8″ (10-20 cm)
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade, Light Shade
This native plant grows in open spaces in damp woods, stream banks, and moist prairies. Unfortunately, this pretty purple wildflower is listed as a threatened or endangered species.
All parts of the Violet Woods Sorrel are edible but should not be eaten in large quantities due to their high concentration of oxalic acid (salt of lemons), which can be poisonous. This plant was a traditional food source for the Native American Apache, Cherokee, Omaha, Pawnee, and Ponca.
#19. 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.
#20. 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 New Mexico.
Look for their nodding bell-shaped purple flowers that would be an ideal plant if you wanted to bring color to your backyard.
#21. 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 New Mexico.
#22. Hookedspur Violet
- Viola adunca
Also known as Sand Violet, Early Blue Violet, Hookedspur Violet, and Western Dog Violet.
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4b-9a
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate mature size: 4-8″ (10-20 cm)
- Bloom Time: Mid Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer
- Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade, Light Shade
As their name suggests, this purple wildflower is often found in the mountains at varying elevations in New Mexico. But it doesn’t necessarily HAVE to grow in the mountains and is found farther below.
This violet has seeds that contain oil that attracts ants, that carry the seeds to their nests. And this is how the Hookedspur Violet primarily spreads its seeds to new areas.
#23. 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.
Do you need more help identifying purple wildflowers in New Mexico?
Check out this guide!
Which of these purple wildflowers have you seen before in New Mexico?
Leave a comment below!
