Happy spring to all! Today, we’re stepping outside the house and into the garden, and I mean that both literally and emotionally. As much as I love helping people make color decisions for their walls, front doors, exterior house colors, patio designs, or classic Victorian exteriors, sometimes the most powerful color moments happen under the open sky. As a color expert, I happen to love that fact, the colors of nature are always a crowd pleaser!
With this article, I want to celebrate a personal favorite: purple spring flowers, and the other colors you will find at your garden center. There’s something about that purple aesthetic that feels both calming and inspiring. Purple flowers are grounded and soulful but also full of life and depth. Flowers come in many colors, and sometimes even the plants you expect to have purple flowers come in surprising varieties. It’s about setting a tone for your outdoor space and giving yourself moments of joy each time you walk by.
Here are a few of my favorite purple, lavender, and pink spring blooms, plus a few thoughts on using color to express yourself in your garden and beyond!
Lilacs are the royalty of spring in my book. That soft, silvery purple, the intoxicating fragrance; nostalgia and serenity wrapped up in one showy shrub. I always feel like lilacs bring a sense of grace to any garden color arrangement, and they pair beautifully with other classic bloomers like peonies, irises, and even white tulips.
Plant them near a window or path where you can enjoy their scent every time you pass. Trust me, it’s worth it! I still get flashbacks of springtime childhood when I smell lilacs in bloom.
If you know me, you know I never turn down a color that also serves a function, and that’s exactly what lavender does. These hardy little stems with soft violet buds look stunning in everything from handmade flower boxes to sprawling garden borders. And they’re wonderful for pollinators, too.
I love pairing lavender with silvery-green plants like lamb’s ear for a soft, romantic look. And bonus points: lavender is a natural stress-reliever. Talk about color therapy that smells amazing!
Hydrangeas might be the most versatile flowering shrub out there. Depending on your soil, they can bloom in shades of blue, pink, or, my personal favorite, rich, moody purples. They’re generous bloomers and make the most beautiful cut arrangements for your home.
Pair purple hydrangeas with creamy whites or soft greens for a timeless, elegant garden palette.
Most people picture irises in deep purples, and that’s certainly part of their charm. But did you know they also come in bold golds, soft blues, oranges, near-blacks, and even fiery reds? I love seeing unexpected varieties pop up; it’s a reminder to always keep your eyes open for something that may surprise you!
That deep purple, velvety iris, though? It’s a classic for a reason. It has presence. It plays beautifully off stone, dark mulch, or even set against a backdrop of lighter blooms. Irises love full sun; once they’re happy, they’ll reward you every spring.
Daisies are usually yellow or white, but I love the less-expected purple and violet varieties. They add an element of surprise and joy, and they’re perfect for mixing into a cottage-style planting scheme.
And don’t sleep on lilies either. Yes, we usually think of them in yellows or oranges, but there are breathtaking reds and burgundy varieties that pop next to your softer purples. Try mixing unexpected color combinations to make your garden truly your own!
Spring is the perfect time to reconnect with color in a personal, joyful way. Whether you have a large backyard, a few planters on your balcony, or a handmade flower box by the window, the goal is to surround yourself with colors and scents that make you happy.
There’s no rulebook here. Choose purple because it soothes you. Choose red because it excites you. Choose golden lilies and violet daisies because they surprise you.
Let your garden reflect who you are, and remember that color isn’t only for walls. It’s for your soul. Now, plant something beautiful!
