Tall Verbena.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Herbaceous Perennial

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

bright-indirect

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

3-6 feet tall, 1-3 feet wide

Growth rate

fast

Hardiness

USDA 7 to 10

Bloom time

Late spring through fall

Care

Provide ample sunlight and well-draining soil. While it's drought-tolerant once established, consistent watering helps promote blooming. Deadheading can prevent excessive self-seeding, but leaving some seed heads provides winter interest and food for birds.

Watering

Water regularly when young and during prolonged dry spells; established plants are quite drought-tolerant.

Feeding

Feed sparingly in spring with a balanced fertilizer; too much can lead to floppy growth.

Pruning

Cut back in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth, or deadhead spent flowers to manage self-seeding.

Repotting

Perennial in suitable climates; if grown as an annual or in containers, repot when root-bound.

Soil

Prefers well-draining soil; adaptable to various types

Soil pH

Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0)

Temperature

-12.2 to 26.7°C

Humidity

40 to 60%

Safety

People

Non-toxic

Pets

Non-toxic

Edibility

This plant is not intended for human consumption.

How to identify it

• Tall, slender, upright stems
• Small, lavender-purple flowers in dense clusters
• Lance-shaped, toothed leaves
• Grows in airy, open clumps
• Can self-seed readily

Height

0.9 to 1.8m

Spread

0.3 to 0.9m

Leaves

Green, semi-evergreen

Flowers

Purple, Lavender, 0.6 to 1cm

Common problems

• Powdery mildew — A white, powdery coating on leaves, favored by poor air circulation and high humidity.
• Aphids — Small, sap-sucking insects that can cluster on new growth and cause distortion.
• Floppy growth — Stems may become weak and sprawling, especially with excessive fertilization or shade.

Growing it

Propagation

Seed, Division, Cuttings

When to plant

Spring, Fall

Plant Verbena bonariensis towards the back of the border, where its height can be showcased without overshadowing shorter perennials.

Grows well with

• Salvia — Companion planting with salvias creates a beautiful display of color and attracts similar pollinators.
• Echinacea — Coneflowers provide a contrasting texture and bloom shape, and share pollinator attraction with Verbena bonariensis.
• Coreopsis — These cheerful yellow flowers complement the purple blooms of Verbena bonariensis and attract bees and butterflies.
• Gaura — Both plants have an airy, upright habit and delicate flowers, creating a harmonious drift effect in the garden.

Keep away from

• Plants requiring consistently wet soil — Verbena bonariensis needs well-draining soil and can suffer from root rot if kept too wet.
• Plants requiring deep shade — It performs best in full sun to light shade; deep shade can lead to weak growth and fewer flowers.

Similar species

• Lantana — Lantana offers similar colorful flower clusters and attracts butterflies but generally has a bushier habit.
• Phlox — Some tall varieties of Phlox can provide a similar vertical element and bloom time, though with different flower forms.
• Salvia farinacea — While not identical, 'Victoria Blue' Salvia offers a similar spiky blue/purple flower form and attracts pollinators.

Science

Family

Verbenaceae

Genus

Verbena

Order

Lamiales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

South America (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay)

It thrives in open, sunny locations with well-drained soil, often found in grasslands and disturbed areas where it can readily self-seed.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, pollen source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, moths

Uses

Ornamental, Pollinator garden, Cut flowers, Cottage gardens

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does Verbena bonariensis need deadheading?

Deadheading can help manage self-seeding and prolong blooming, but leaving seed heads offers winter interest and bird food.

Is Verbena bonariensis invasive?

In some regions, it can be considered weedy or invasive due to its prolific self-seeding habits.

Can Verbena bonariensis survive winter?

It's perennial in USDA zones 7-10; in colder climates, it's often grown as an annual or overwintered indoors.

Where the name comes from

The species name 'bonariensis' refers to Buenos Aires, Argentina, a region within its native range.

Good to know

• It's a favorite of butterflies.
• Can be grown as an annual in colder climates.
• Its airy habit makes it a great filler plant.
• Attracts beneficial insects.