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Herbaceous Perennial

Verbena bonariensis 'Bonnie Blue'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

A dwarf, clump-forming perennial to 60cm tall with upright, branching stems sparsely bear oblong green leaves which turn red in autumn. Dense clusters of small, lavender-blue flowers appear from summer to autumn

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Blue Purple Green
Autumn Blue Purple Green Red
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Verbenaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming, Columnar upright
Genus

Verbena can be annuals, perennials or sub-shrubs, with toothed or pinnately lobed leaves and small, usually 5-petalled, salver-shaped flowers, typically held in spikes or panicles, in summer or autumn

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun. Add a deep, dry mulch at the onset of winter. Cut back to ground level in early spring. May have the potential to become a nuisance due to prolific self-seeding in not well managed

Propagation

Propagate by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, thrips and leafhoppers

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews

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