Keep seeing gardeners talk about purple being their favorite shade now. Is this just a trend or is there something actually special about growing purple flowers and plants? Might actually be nice to try something new in the garden.
The thing that often gets overlooked is how purple actually performs across different seasons and light conditions in British gardens. Most purples hold their color intensity even when it's overcast or grey, whereas some other shades can look washed out in typical UK weather. I've noticed in my own garden that adding purples (whether it's salvias, alliums, or lavender) creates this visual anchor that keeps things interesting from early summer right through to autumn. If you're looking to switch things up, that's probably worth considering alongside the pollinator benefit others mentioned.
Have you checked what's actually trending in garden media versus what gardeners are actually planting? Purple's been having a moment in UK horticulture for maybe 3-4 years now, partly because it photographs incredibly well on social media and it genuinely works as a design anchor - purples tend to make other colours pop - but there's nothing scientifically special about growing them versus any other colour. If you fancy trying it, salvias, delphiniums, and alliums are reliable purple choices that most folks find easier to establish than you'd expect.
Purple's genuinely practical for gardens, not just trendy. The thing most folks don't realize is that purple flowers are absolute magnets for pollinators - bees and butterflies go nuts for them way more than pastels or reds. If you're trying to get a healthier garden ecosystem or grow more of your own veg that needs pollination, going purple is actually a smart move. Plus, purple sits in that weird middle ground where it photographs decently in natural light (unlike some bright colors that wash out) but also stands out in shady spots where other colors sort of disappear.
What's probably driving the trend right now is that there's just more variety available than there used to be. Garden centres have way more purple options now - salvias, petunias, delphiniums, even purple-leaved plants like heuchera that give you color without relying on flowers. So people are seeing the choice exist and thinking "huh, maybe I should actually try this." It's less about fashion and more about accessibility, if that makes sense.
Practically speaking, if you want to try it, start with perennials like catmint or alliums - they're hardy, come back year after year, and honestly they're pretty low-effort. Purple foliage plants are brilliant too if you want something that looks good all season rather than just during flowering. The pollinator thing is a nice bonus on top.
If you're thinking about trying purple, pick varieties that actually thrive in your specific light conditions rather than just going by what looks nice in photos - overcast British summers mean some purples fade faster than others depending on the cultivar. Beyond that, you'll find they attract pollinators like mad and genuinely work as a transitional color between other beds without needing much fussing.
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