Finding the Perfect Dark Purple Rose Bush for Your Garden

Purple is a regal color that adds majestic beauty to any rose garden. If you adore rich, mysterious shades of plum, lavender, and violet, planting dark purple rose bushes is a must. Luckily, many gorgeous options exist for gardeners seeking the exotic elegance of purple roses. This guide will showcase stunning varieties and where to find dark purple rose bushes for sale.

Why Grow Purple Roses?

Before detailing specific purple rose options let’s examine what makes these moody blossoms so captivating

• Eye-catching color – The uncommon shades stand out against typical red pink, white and yellow roses. Purple attracts attention.

• Softer than red – While still bold, purple roses feel more romantic and feminine than bright red varieties.

• Color pops in shade – Dark purple roses retain their beauty in shade where other colors look washed out.

• Compliments green foliage – Vibrant purple petals beautifully contrast against the backdrop of green leaves.

• ** Adds cool sophistication** – Dark plummy tones lend an air of refined elegance and mystery to the landscape.

With so many positive attributes, it’s easy to see why passionate rose lovers adore growing moody, magnificent purple varieties. Your garden is sure to wow with deep violet blossoms.

Top Dark Purple Rose Bushes

Many gorgeous dark purple options exist whether you seek hybrid teas, floribundas, shrub roses, or other types. Here are some of the top varietals to consider:

Hybrid Teas

• Double Delight – Remarkable two-tone blooms that open creamy white before maturing to rich purple. Highly fragrant and unique.

• Barbra Streisand – Huge, old-fashioned blooms in deep plum purple on tall upright bushes. Named after the iconic star.

• Black Baccara – Mysterious blackish-purple flowers renowned for their velvety texture and intense damask fragrance.

Floribundas

• Brindabella Purple Prince – Abundant clusters of small, strongly scented reddish-purple blooms from Australia.

• Angel Face – Vivid violet blooms with white reverses give two-toned color. Bushy, prolific plants.

• Ebb Tide – Exotic gray-purple flowers on disease resistant plants. A favorite for over 20 years.

Shrub and Groundcover Roses

• Cape Diamond – Sturdy landscape rose with lush growth and deep purple flowers all season. Tough and reliable.

• Drift Popcorn – Charming miniature rose smothered in tiny pale lavender blooms ideal for borders and rock gardens.

• Sea Foam – Vigorous groundcover rose with billowy white flowers that take on purple hues before dropping.

Climbing Roses

• New Dawn – Remarkably free flowering with large, lightly fragrant blush pink flowers that intensify in color as they mature.

• Veilchenblau – Beautiful rambler from 1909 with small, densely petaled blooms in unique reddish-purple and white.

• Royal Sunset – Dramatic stripes of yellow, apricot, pink and deep purple on big double blooms. Intoxicating citrus scent.

With so many enticing dark purple options, you’re sure to find a variety (or two or three) that’s perfect for your unique taste and garden conditions.

Where to Buy Dark Purple Rose Bushes

Reputable online and local nurseries are the best sources for buying healthy, high-quality purple rose bushes. Here are top vendors to check for popular dark purple varieties:

• Edmunds Roses – Specialist nursery focused solely on roses. All varieties grown and shipped barefoot.

• Heirloom Roses – Extensive selection includes many rare and historic purple roses. Available barefoot or container grown.

• High Country Roses – Rugged, own-root varieties bred for disease resistance and cold hardiness.

• Local nurseries – Ask at your area nurseries or consult local Rose Society members for suggested sources.

• Mail order catalogs – Renowned companies like Jackson & Perkins offer a wide array of purple roses to ship.

• Big box stores – Home improvement chains like Lowe’s and Home Depot carry popular branded varieties seasonally.

• Online marketplaces – Amazon or other marketplaces allow you to shop many sellers in one place.

With so many outlets, you’re sure to find an ideal source for whichever exceptional purple rose your heart desires.

What to Look for When Buying

To help your new purple rose bushes thrive, inspect them carefully and choose plants that exhibit:

• Healthy green canes – Stems should be plump, flexible, and disease/pest free with no shriveling or spots.

• Good root system – Container plants should have plentiful white feeder roots, not rootbound or underdeveloped roots.

• Hardy growth – If possible, select own-root, grafted, or hardy budded rose varieties over less hardy own-root.

• ** Established plants** – For quicker flowering choose 1-2 year plants over smaller starter size bushes.

• Foliage matches variety – Leaf coloring should match the typical description for that rose type.

• No blooms – Leafed-out bare root or dormant rose bushes are ideal. Don’t select plants already in flower or bloom.

• Packaged properly – Bare root roses should be packed with moist protective materials. Container plants should not be loose in pots.

Taking a little time to pick quality plants will give your new purple rose bushes the best start in your garden.

How to Plant and Grow Purple Roses

Caring for purple roses is similar to growing other roses but here are a few tips:

• Plant in full sun (at least 6 hours direct sun daily) for the most prolific flowering.

• Choose a site with good drainage and amend soil with compost as needed.

• Space plants according to expected mature size to allow ample air circulation.

• Water deeply at soil level to encourage deep root growth. About 1-2 inches weekly.

• Apply a 2-4 inch mulch layer around plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

• Prune lightly in early spring, removing dead or damaged canes and opening up interior.

• Fertilize monthly during the growing season using a balanced organics or rose fertilizer.

• Monitor for common rose pests like Japanese beetles and treat promptly if found.

• In colder zones, protect newly planted roses in fall by mounding soil or mulch around the base.

With proper planting and care you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous, prolific purple blooms from your new rose additions.

Designing With Dark Purple Roses

When it comes to designing garden beds or containers using deep purple roses, it helps to consider complementary colors and plant pairings. Here are some ideas:

• Contrast with bright white roses like ‘Pope John Paul II’ or ‘Knock Out’ for a striking look.

• Let orange roses like ‘Tropical Sunset’ or ‘Tequila’ glow against rich purple tones.

• Combine with true blue hydrangeas, irises or delphiniums for harmonious color chords.

• Underplant with silver foliage like artemisia, dusty miller or santolina to highlight violet petals.

• Use clematis varieties like ‘Violet Elizabeth’ or ‘Polish Spirit’ to echo purple hues on trellises.

• Accent with yellow roses, coreopsis, daylilies or rudbeckia for vibrant contrast.

• Surround with hostas, hellebores or heuchera (coral bells) for texture pairing.

Let your imagination run free when brainstorming ways to showcase sultry, sophisticated purple roses. They pair beautifully with almost any flower shade or foliage.

Caring for Purple Roses Long-Term

To keep your purple rose bushes happy and flowering their best for years to come, be sure to provide:

• Annual spring pruning of older canes to stimulate new growth

• diligent black spot prevention and treatment if issues occur

• supplemental water during periods of drought/heat stress

• occasional soil testing and amending to maintain optimal pH and nutrients

• winter protection such as mounding soil or mulch around the base in cold zones

• rejuvenation pruning or transplanting if plants become overgrown and flowering declines

A little consistent TLC will maintain your purple rose bushes health and keep them gracing your garden with breathtaking blooms season after season.

Overwintering Container Grown Purple Roses

For keeping potted purple roses happy through the dormant season:

• Move containers to a protected area like an unheated garage once they drop leaves.

• Stop fertilizing and trim back watering to just once or twice a month.

• Clean up faded blooms and dropped leaves throughout fall but leave some foliage until it naturally drops.

• In areas with mild winters, grouping pots together helps insulate roots.

• Check soil moisture monthly and water minimally if pots seem light or dry. Just moisten, don’t soak.

• Resume normal care in early spring once chance of freezing temperatures has passed.

With a little preparation, you can successfully overwinter container grown purple roses. They’ll reward you with vigorous new growth and flowers when spring arrives.

Enjoy the Magic of Purple Roses

Hopefully this overview has intrigued you with the diversity and splendor of dark purple rose varieties for the garden. Few sights compare to the regal beauty of rich violet rose blossoms contrasted against dark green foliage. So go ahead – embrace the mystery and allure of purple! Find an enchanting deep plum, lavender or violet rose bush to fulfill your vision. Then sit back and enjoy its exotic, intoxicating presence in your outdoor space. Your purple rose quest starts now!