Purple or dark-colored foliage plants provide contrast and dynamics to a landscape. They can make neighboring plants pop with colorful contrast, create focal points, and draw your eye to an area, and they can complement accent features in your garden. They are extremely versatile and can combine great with almost anything. While this list is not comprehensive, it provides a starting point to those recommended for growing in your St. Louis garden.
Disclaimer: Purple to one person might look different to another. The plant selections on this list are in the purple/black range.
Annuals |
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Spread: 3 - 8 ft.
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
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Height: 3 - 4 ft.
Spread: 2 - 3 ft.
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet |
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Spread: 1.5 - 3 ft.
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
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Bulb
Height: 2 - 3 ft.
Spread: 1.5 - 2 ft.
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
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Alternanthera brasiliana 'Purple Prince'
Brazilian joyweed
Annual
Height: 0.75 - 1.25 ft.
Spread: 1.5 - 1.75 ft.
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium |
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Height: 3 - 4 ft.
Spread: 2 - 3 ft.
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
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Beta vulgaris (Garden Beet Group) 'Bull's Blood
beet
Annual
Height: 1 - 1.5 ft.
Spread: 0.75 - 1 ft.
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium |
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Height: 1.5 - 3 ft.
Spread: 1 - 1.5 ft.
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
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Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group) 'Redbor'
kale
Annual
Height: 1 - 1.5 ft.
Spread: 1 - 1.5 ft.
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium |
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hyacinth
Herbaceous perennial
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 10.00 to 20.00 feet
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cabbage
Annual
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Height: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
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fountain grass
Ornamental grass
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 4.00 to 5.00 feet
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Capsicum annuum 'Black Pearl'
ornamental pepper
Herbaceous perennial
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Height: 1.00 to 1.50 feet |
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fountain grass
Ornamental grass
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Height: 4.00 to 5.00 feet
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Capsicum annuum 'Purple Flash'
ornamental pepper
Herbaceous perennial
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Height: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
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Perennials
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bugbane
Herbaceous perennial
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Height: 4.00 to 5.00 feet
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Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
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bugbane
Herbaceous perennial
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Height: 3.00 to 4.00 feet
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Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium to wet
Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
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bugbane
Herbaceous perennial
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Height: 4.00 to 6.00 feet
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Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
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Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 0.25 to 0.50 feet
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Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Height: 2.50 to 3.00 feet
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Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 0.25 to 0.75 feet
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Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Height: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
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Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
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Shrubs |
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Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium to wet
Height: 4.00 to 4.50 feet
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Sambucus nigra 'Eva' BLACK LACE
black elder
Deciduous shrub
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Height: 6.00 to 8.00 feet |
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Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium to wet
Height: 3.00 to 4.00 feet
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Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy'
eastern redbud
Tree
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 20.00 to 30.00 feet |
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Cotinus coggygria 'Velvet Cloak'
smoketree
Deciduous shrub
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Height: 10.00 to 15.00 feet |
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Fagus sylvatica (Atropurpurea Group)
purple beech
Tree
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 50.00 to 60.00 feet |
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Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo'
ninebark
Deciduous shrub
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Height: 4.00 to 8.00 feet |
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European beech
Tree
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 5.00 to 12.00 feet
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