Position

Sun exposure:
Full sun
Aspect:
South facing, west facing
Position in border:
Back, middle

Soil

Prefers rich soil:
Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

Verbena bonariensis has tall, narrow, sparsely-leafed stems on top of which flattened heads of bright lavender-purple flowers appear in late-summer. It's perfect for bringing height to an ornamental border and also works well in prairie-style planting schemes with ornamental grasses. It's a superb butterfly plant, rivalling even buddleja.

Grow Verbena bonariensis in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Given the right conditions, plants will self-seed freely, but in colder regions they may need protection from frost. Leave dead stalks to provide winter interest and mulch annually with well-rotted manure or compost. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

More on growing Verbena bonariensis:

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sowyesyes
Plantyesyesyesyesyes
Flowersyesyesyesyes

Verbena and wildlife

Verbena is known for attracting bees, birds, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers and has seeds for birds.

Is known to attract Bees
Bees
Is not known to attract Beneficial insects
Beneficial insects
Is known to attract Birds
Birds
Is known to attract Butterflies/​Moths
Butterflies/​Moths
Is known to attract Other pollinators
Other pollinators

Is Verbena poisonous?

Verbena has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Cats
Cats
Is not known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is not known to attract Horses
Horses
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
Plants that go well with Verbena bonariensis
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