13 Plants with purple leaves
13 great plants with purple leaves. Flowers make such a statement in the garden, but once the blooms have faded, I want the foliage to add to the overall look and feel of the garden too. One way to do this is have a wide selection of shapes, textures and sizes of leaves, another way to add drama is through colourful foliage.
Plants with dark stems and leaves contrast and stand out in a crowd of greens in the garden. The young purple leaved plants in our garden are already showing their value as statement plants and eye-catching border companions to vegetables and ornamentals alike.
Plants with purple foliage can be very impactful and there’s a wide range to choose from to suit every site, your garden’s aspect, conditions and style. Here’s a selection that I think earn a place in the garden.
Sambucus nigra ‘Black Lace’
There are several dark leaved elderberries, and I particularly like Sambucus nigra ‘Black Lace’, which has dissected foliage unlike the leaves usually associated with elderberry. It gives it a light and feathery look which compliments the depth of colour of the leaves. Grow in full sun for the best show of colour. It is a deciduous shrub and the young green foliage quickly develops the dark colouring. This fully hardy shrub reaches 300cm height and 200cm spread and flowers during late spring and early summer.
The flowers have creamy-pink buds which open to pink flowers that have a musky scent. The cooked flowers and berries can be used in the kitchen for jellies, syrup and wine (do not eat raw flowers or berries).
Dodonaea viscosa ‘Purpurea’
The purple hop bush can add a distinctly Mediterranean look and feel to your garden. It is not fully hardy, so best grown in a large pot that can be moved to a frost-free environment when temperatures dip. I spotted this in a show garden at RHS Chelsea Flower show and was struck by how attractive it is. Dodonaea viscosa ‘Purpurea’ is an evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow to 400cm – 800cm height and 250cm – 400cm spread. It prefers moist, but well drained soil and does not thrive in heavy and clay soils. Give it a sheltered spot in full sun to get the best show of colour. Although it does produce flowers, they are insignificant, but the seed pods have a pink or red colouring to add further interest in the autumn months.
Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’
An unfussy shrub with distinct, round foliage that grows 400cm – 800cm height and spread. During the summer, large displays of fine, feathery flowerheads appear, giving the plant its common name of the smoke bush. It grows well in full sun and partial shade and is hardy to around -15C. We lost our purple smoke bush plant in 2018 when temperatures plummeted to -18C overnight for a few nights in a row, but there are few winters that harsh. In our new garden, Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’ grows in moist and slightly clay soil on a windy north-facing hillside and it is putting on a good show of the rich, warm purple leaves.
Begonia ‘Stellar Storm’
Here’s one for a shady spot outside during the summer as a bedding plant, and indoors for the remainder of the year. Begonia ‘Stellar Storm’ was shortlisted for RHS plant of the year 2024 and has striking spiral-shaped, spiky edged leaves with burgundy/purple, red and silver markings. Indoors it is not a plant to hog the windowsill space and prefers a spot that is indirectly lit. Height 30cms, spread 35cms.
Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’
A relatively unfussy plant, but to get the best from it, grow in acidic, humus-rich soil that is fairly fertile. It will tolerate alkaline conditions, but may suffer on shallow chalky soils. Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’ is an extremely hardy, deciduous shrub with red to purple leaves that produce clusters of small pink buds that open to creamy-white flowers. In our garden, the young plant’s display is improving year upon year. Height and spread 150cm – 250cm. Once established, it has a suckering habit, so if space is of a premium, grow it in a large container.
Corylus maxima ‘Purpurea’
The purple leaved filbert or hazelnut is a large shrub with broad dark purple leaves. Height 400cm – 800cm and spread 250cm – 400cm. They can be kept in check through pruning and coppicing. They are easy to grow from seed (plant a nut) and are unfussy plants. During the late winter, catkins appear on bare branches which are followed by edible nuts in the autumn.
Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’
Commonly known as Norway maple, this vigorous deciduous tree has yellow-red flowers in spring, followed by deep purple leaves throughout the summer. It is fully hardy and unfussy about position. This is not a tree for a small garden once it is fully grown as it can reach 12 metres high with a spread of more than 8 metres. However, as a younger tree it offers colour, shape and interest to your garden. I particularly like the way the leaves look when the sun shines through them.
Hylotelephium telephium ‘Purple Emperor’
Formerly known as sedum, this fleshy-leaved plant makes a statement in the flower border. I spotted this one on a show garden at Gardeners’ World Live 2024 that demonstrated plants ideal for dry and sunny sites. This deciduous plant grows from a spreading clump each year and sends up dark red stems upon which the purple leaves appear. Height and spread up to 50cm. In late summer and autumn, it bears clusters of small flowers in varying shades of pink. It grows in all soils except for acid and clay, and prefers a sunny, well-drained site.
Cimicifuga ‘Brunette’
This is one of the darkest purple-leaved plants for the middle to back of the border. A hardy, herbaceous perennial that likes moist and even poorly drained soil, prefers partial shade and a bit of shelter (because of its height). Height 100cm – 150cm and spread up to 100cm. Its dark purple stems and leaves are a great contrast to the purple buds that open to white flowers which are held above the foliage. Harmful if eaten and the berries are poisonous.
Penstemon Digitalis ‘Mystica’
An interesting perennial which I grew for the first time, last year. An evergreen clump at the base gives rise to dark stems with leaves that become darker as the summer progresses. Next year I will use a grid support to prevent the flowering stems, which are heavily laden with pale mauve and white flowers, from flopping over the pathways. Height 50cm – 100cm and spread up to 50cm. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun. A sheltered position is ideal to prevent wind damage and deadhead to encourage prolonged flowering.
Bergenia
Mustard ‘Oriental Ruby Streaks’
A quick-growing mustard ideal for salads and for stir-fry meals. I think the young leaves have a slightly caramel flavour that gives way to good mustard flavour. The older leaves have a punchier mustard flavour. Easy to grow year-round, in ground during the warmer months and under cover or the windowsill during winter. Sow a few seeds regularly to give a continued supply.
Borecale ‘Scarlet’
Thrifty tip
Take semi-ripe cuttings of your favourite shrubs throughout August and September for more plants for free. And don’t forget to label them!
Further information
The article about Plants with purple leaves was written for Amateur Gardening magazine in autumn 2024. I may have updated some of the specific varieties and images and included more suggestions and varieties. Additionally, links are included to help you find the suggested plants. For more ideas of planting themes for your garden, try Great Plants with Pink Leaves.
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