Purple verbena
Verbena bonariensis · Verbenaceae
📷 frank wouters · CC BY 2.0
The gardener's calendar
Purple verbena is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Verbena bonariensis
- Family
- Verbenaceae
- Type
- Perennial herbaceous plant
- Adult height
- 80–120 cm
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- July to October
- Flowers
- Small violet flowers in spikes
- Hardiness
- Down to approximately –5 °C
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Verbena bonariensis flowers late and long thanks to its drought tolerance. Once established, it needs minimal watering.
The common mistake
Watering it regularly instead of keeping it relatively dry: it gets soft, succumbs to diseases, and flowers less.
The pro's trick
Plant it in groups of three or five to create a light vertical effect without a too-dense mass.
Seasonal watch
September-October: be vigilant to save a plant and bring it indoors in an unheated pot for winter propagation (semi-hardwood cuttings).
Care
Exposure
Place your verbena in full sun for generous, lasting blooms. A minimum of 6 hours of direct light per day is recommended. In very hot climates, light afternoon shade can prevent flower wilting.
Watering
Water regularly when planting and during active growth periods. Once established, verbena tolerates drought well thanks to its deep root system. In containers, keep the substrate slightly moist but avoid excess water, which causes rot.
Soil
Well-drained soil, even chalky or poor soil, suits it perfectly. Avoid heavy, compacted or constantly wet soils. A light compost addition at planting is sufficient for the first seasons.
Pruning and cutting
Remove faded stems regularly to encourage continuous flowering and bushier growth. In late autumn, cut the plant back to 20–30 cm from the ground if it has grown excessively. In mild climates, a light trim in spring revives the plant.
Fertilizing
A balanced fertilizer application in spring is usually sufficient. In containers or very poor soil, supplement with diluted fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks during growth. Avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes foliage at the expense of flowers.
Diseases and pests
Verbena is generally robust. Watch for aphids on young shoots and spider mites in dry climates. Root rot appears if drainage is insufficient or watering is excessive. Good spacing and air circulation limit these risks.
Did you know?
Verbena bonariensis, native to South America (particularly Buenos Aires, from which its name 'bonariensis' derives), became a star of modern gardens from the 1990s onwards. Its light, airy violet spikes bring remarkable lightness to borders, and it pairs beautifully with ornamental grasses, embodying the 'natural garden' aesthetic that is very popular in contemporary landscape design.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.