James Williams

Purple’s popularity reflects both human culture and flower ecology. Humans associate the colour with royalty, mystery, creativity and luxury, while many purple blooms produce ultraviolet and blue contrasts that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Historically, Tyrian purple made from Murex sea snails was rare, costly and regulated as a symbol of imperial authority in Rome. William Henry Perkin’s 1856 discovery of the synthetic dye mauveine made vivid purple far cheaper, helping transform it from an elite marker of rank into a widely available fashion and commercial colour.