Geranium phaeum (Dusky cranesbill): Purple flowers with swept-back petals held high above soft green foliage. Early to flower, reliable and easy. To 60cm. Hardy.

Geranium phaeum 'Lily Lovell' (Dusky cranesbill 'Lily Lovell'): Large, rich purple flowers with white centre. Petals swept back. Hardy. Flowers early in the season. To 80cm.

Geranium phaeum 'Raven' (Dusky cranesbill 'Raven'): Dark purple flowers with long stamens and swept-back petals held high above soft green foliage. Great for shady areas. To 60cm. Hardy.

Geranium phaeum pale purple (Dusky cranesbill pale purple): Pale purple flowers with swept-back petals held high above soft green foliage. Early to flower, reliable and easy.

Geranium wlassovianum: Warm purple flowers over attractive velvety foliage. Excellent autumn foliage colour. [Collect Only]

Hosta 'Praying Hands': Very upright, rippled leaves. Leaves are green, narrowly edged in white and curl up. Lilac flowers in summer. Hardy. Up to 40cm. AGM.

Lathyrus vernus (Spring pea): Two-tone purple and pink pea-like flowers in early spring. Thrives in shade, even quite dry shade. To 30cm. Hardy.

Liriope muscari 'Big Blue' (Blue turf lily 'Big Blue'): Spikes of vibrant purple flowers in autumn, larger than the usual form, evergreen strappy foliage. Good for dry shade. Hardy. Up to 50cm

Liriope muscari 'Royal Purple' (Blue turf lily 'Royal Purple'): Spikes of deep purple flowers in autumn above dark-green evergreen strappy foliage. Can tolerate dry shade. Hardy. Up to 50cm.

Thalictrum 'Elin' (Rue 'Elin'): Tallest of the Thalictrums we grow with huge heads of lavender and yellow flowers in mid-late summer. To 2m. Hardy.

Thalictrum delavayi 'Hewitt's Double' (Chinese meadow rue 'Hewitt's Double'): Tiny purple pom-pom flowers dance airily above ferny grey-green foliage. Height to 1.2m. Hardy

Vinca minor 'Atropurpurea' (Small periwinkle 'Atropurpurea'): A compact mat-forming evergreen perennial with trailing stems of dark green leaves and dark purple flowers. Good in shade. Hardy ground cover.