Introducing...
Verbena
In rich shades of purple, mauve, ruby, pink and white, verbenas and glandularias (until recently included in Verbena) are popular as summer bedding in borders and containers. Hardier types include the ever-popular, tall and airy Verbena bonariensis, for sunny borders. All have a long flowering season.
Looks
Bedding verbenas have domed clusters of small flowers – purple, deep red, pink or white – through summer and into autumn. Hardier perennial verbenas include Verbena bonariensis, which has tall, slender stems, topped with mauve flowers.
Likes
Verbenas love full sun, warmth and well-drained soil. They are happy in borders and containers.
Dislikes
Plants won’t flower in shade and tend to rot in very wet soil. They generally dislike cold and may be killed by frost.
Did you know?
Verbena bonariensis usually lives for several years but can succumb to a hard frost. Still, it seeds itself freely, so new plants usually appear to replace any losses.
Growing guide
How to grow verbena
All the information you’ll need to grow and care for verbenas in your garden.
Verbenas we recommend
Verbena rigida f. lilacina 'Polaris'
slender vervain 'Polaris'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Verbena hastata 'White Spires'
vervain 'White Spires'
- 1–1.5 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Verbena bonariensis 'Lollipop'PBR
purple top 'Lollipop'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Verbena rigida f. lilacina 'Polaris'
slender vervain 'Polaris'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Verbena hastata 'White Spires'
vervain 'White Spires'
- 1–1.5 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Verbena bonariensis 'Lollipop'PBR
purple top 'Lollipop'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Useful advice
Bedding plants and displays
Growing plants in containers
Hardening off tender plants
Perennials: planting
Get involved
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