Purple roses always catch my eye—they feel a little mysterious and totally magical in any garden. I’ve found some varieties that really stand out and turn heads every time they bloom.
These roses add a splash of bold color and elegance that’s hard to beat. If you’re looking to mix things up with something unique, these beauties are a great place to start.
And I’ve got a few more gorgeous types to inspire your next garden project too.
1. Blue Moon
Ever noticed how some flowers seem to glow in twilight? Blue Moon does exactly that with its silvery-lavender petals that shimmer under moonlight. The fragrance is intoxicating – a sweet, fruity scent that drifts through evening gardens.
Gardeners love this variety for its excellent disease resistance and sturdy stems. Perfect for cutting gardens, these blooms last surprisingly long in vases. Blue Moon thrives in zones 6-9 with moderate water needs.
2. Ebb Tide
Smoky plum petals unfold to reveal one of the darkest purple roses available today. The rich, spicy clove fragrance makes Ebb Tide unforgettable – many gardeners plant it near patios just to enjoy its scent on summer evenings.
Unlike fussier varieties, this compact floribunda performs beautifully even in partial shade. The velvet-textured blooms appear throughout the growing season. Deer tend to avoid it, making it perfect for open gardens.
3. Twilight Zone
Named after the classic TV series, this grandiflora rose lives up to its mysterious moniker. The petals showcase an otherworldly deep magenta-purple that almost appears black in certain lighting. When sunshine hits just right, they reveal a remarkable metallic sheen.
Gardeners cherish this variety for its unusually strong, spicy-sweet fragrance. The bushy plants produce clusters of large, fully double blooms from spring until frost. Twilight Zone makes an excellent statement plant in mixed borders.
4. Midnight Blue
Despite its name, this rose displays a velvety royal purple rather than true blue. The small, perfectly formed blooms appear in abundant clusters throughout the growing season, creating waves of intense color in the garden.
Famous for its incredibly strong spicy clove scent, Midnight Blue perfumes entire garden areas. The compact growth habit makes it ideal for containers or front-of-border plantings. Its excellent disease resistance means even novice gardeners find success with this stunning variety.
5. Lavender Crush
Morning dew clings to these silvery-lavender petals like tiny diamonds, making Lavender Crush sparkle in early light. The old-fashioned cupped blooms open to reveal golden stamens that contrast beautifully against the cool purple tones.
Surprisingly tough for such a delicate-looking rose, this variety thrives in challenging conditions. The subtle citrus fragrance intensifies in hot weather. Lavender Crush blooms continuously from late spring through fall, with minimal deadheading required.
6. Rhapsody in Blue
Watching this rose change colors throughout its bloom cycle feels like witnessing a natural magic show. Starting as deep purple buds, the semi-double flowers open to reveal vibrant magenta-purple petals that gradually fade to a smoky lavender-blue.
Bees absolutely adore the open flower form with its accessible golden stamens. The relaxed, slightly wild growth habit makes it perfect for cottage gardens. Rhapsody in Blue performs exceptionally well in cooler climates where many roses struggle.
7. Wild Blue Yonder
Award-winning for good reason, this remarkable grandiflora produces waves of ruffled lavender-purple blooms with ruby red undertones. The large, loosely formed flowers have a casual, windswept appearance that brings movement to structured gardens.
Surprisingly citrus-sweet fragrance emanates from each bloom, attracting beneficial insects. The vigorous, disease-resistant plants grow tall and wide with minimal care. Wild Blue Yonder’s unique color intensifies in cooler temperatures, especially in fall.
8. Poseidon
Named for the god of the sea, Poseidon captures the mysterious depths of ocean waters with its shifting lavender-blue-purple tones. The classically formed hybrid tea blooms spiral open gradually, revealing more intense color at the heart of each flower.
Gardeners appreciate the upright, vigorous growth habit that requires minimal staking. The moderate fruity fragrance becomes stronger in warm weather. Poseidon’s excellent disease resistance makes it a low-maintenance choice for mixed borders or dedicated rose gardens.
9. Purple Rain
Just like the iconic song, this rose commands attention with its dramatic coloration. The deep purple petals feature distinctive white stripes and flecks, creating a striking contrast that’s visible even from a distance.
Flowering continuously from spring through fall, Purple Rain produces masses of medium-sized blooms. The light apple fragrance adds another sensory dimension to this remarkable rose. Compact growth makes it ideal for smaller spaces or front-of-border positions where its unusual coloration can be appreciated.
10. Plum Perfect
Resembling ripe plums dusted with morning frost, these velvety blooms showcase a rich purple hue with silvery reverse sides. The perfectly formed buds spiral open slowly, making Plum Perfect excellent for cutting gardens where long-lasting blooms are prized.
Remarkably disease-resistant for a hybrid tea, this variety rarely suffers from common rose problems. The sweet, fruity fragrance intensifies in hot weather. Plum Perfect’s upright growth habit works beautifully in formal garden designs where structure is important.
11. Violet’s Pride
Honoring the beloved character from Downton Abbey, this elegant floribunda captures Lady Violet’s regal nature perfectly. The lavender blooms deepen to rich purple at the petal edges, creating an eye-catching gradient effect that draws admirers closer.
Strongly scented with notes of grapefruit and apple, each bloom offers a surprising citrus twist. The vigorous, rounded shrub produces waves of flowers throughout the season. Violet’s Pride performs exceptionally well in containers, bringing its aristocratic presence to patios and balconies.
12. Love Song
Singing a sweet melody in the garden, Love Song’s large, fully double blooms showcase a lovely lavender-purple that holds its color remarkably well in hot sun. The old-fashioned quartered form gives these flowers a romantic, nostalgic appeal.
Surprisingly resilient for such a delicate-looking rose, this floribunda bounces back quickly after rain. The mild fruity fragrance attracts butterflies throughout summer. Love Song’s bushy, rounded growth habit makes it perfect for mass plantings where its color can create a strong visual impact.
13. Angel Face
Few roses can match the distinctive ruffled petals that make Angel Face instantly recognizable. The lavender blooms washed with ruby undertones seem to dance in the slightest breeze, bringing movement to static garden spaces.
Famous for its intense citrus-clove fragrance that fills the air, this classic variety has remained popular for decades. The relaxed growth habit works beautifully in informal garden settings. Angel Face performs exceptionally well in humid climates where many roses struggle with disease.
14. Heirloom
Bringing vintage charm to modern gardens, Heirloom features deeply cupped blooms in a rich magenta-purple that’s rare in the rose world. The old-fashioned form opens gradually to reveal hundreds of tightly packed petals creating a lush, romantic appearance.
Intensely fragrant with notes of raspberries and old damask roses, this variety perfumes entire garden areas. The vigorous, upright growth creates an impressive garden specimen. Heirloom’s excellent repeat flowering ensures waves of these magnificent blooms from spring until frost.
15. Stormy Weather
Capturing the mysterious beauty of thunderclouds, this climbing rose displays smoky purple-mauve blooms that appear almost silver in certain lights. The semi-double flowers with prominent golden stamens attract beneficial insects to the garden.
Surprisingly vigorous for a purple climber, Stormy Weather can reach impressive heights with proper support. The light apple fragrance becomes more pronounced in warm weather. This versatile rose works beautifully trained over arches, fences, or allowed to ramble through trees and larger shrubs.
16. Burgundy Ice
Frosty mornings showcase this remarkable rose at its best, when dew highlights the crystalline shimmer on its deep burgundy-purple petals. The sleek, pointed buds open to reveal perfectly formed flowers that last exceptionally well as cut blooms.
Unlike many purple roses, Burgundy Ice maintains its rich coloration even in intense summer heat. The mild sweet fragrance complements its sophisticated appearance. This floribunda’s compact, rounded growth habit makes it ideal for formal borders or contemporary garden designs.
17. Indigo
Rare among roses for its unusually blue-purple coloration, Indigo creates a focal point wherever it’s planted. The medium-sized, semi-double blooms appear in abundant clusters throughout the growing season, creating waves of cool color in the garden.
Bees and butterflies flock to the accessible pollen-rich centers of these open-form flowers. The light sweet fragrance carries hints of spice on warm breezes. Indigo’s excellent disease resistance makes it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners seeking unusual colors without extra work.
18. Mysterious
Living up to its name, this rose keeps changing its appearance throughout the blooming cycle. Starting as deep purple buds, the flowers open to reveal velvety crimson-purple petals that gradually develop a smoky blue overlay as they age.
The spicy-sweet fragrance becomes stronger in hot weather, attracting beneficial insects. Unlike many novelty roses, Mysterious boasts excellent disease resistance and vigor. The upright, bushy growth creates a perfect specimen plant for mixed borders where its color transformations can be closely observed.
19. Mardi Gras
Celebrating like its festive namesake, this floribunda explodes with color-shifting blooms throughout the growing season. The base lavender petals feature bold splashes of magenta, purple, and occasional flecks of cream, creating a confetti-like appearance that changes as the flowers age.
Surprisingly tough for such a fancy-looking rose, Mardi Gras performs well even in challenging conditions. The moderate fruity fragrance adds another sensory dimension. This variety’s excellent repeat flowering ensures continuous color from late spring through fall.
20. Plum Crazy
Garden visitors can’t help but smile at this whimsical rose with its unexpected color combinations. The ruffled petals display a base of lavender overlaid with random splashes of deeper purple, creating a playful, informal appearance that lightens formal garden spaces.
Flowering continuously from spring until frost, Plum Crazy produces masses of medium-sized blooms. The light apple fragrance attracts butterflies throughout summer. This easy-growing shrub rose requires minimal maintenance, making it perfect for busy gardeners who still want showstopping flowers.