Plant details
Tall, narrow, sparsely-leafed stems bear flattened heads of bright lavender-purple flowers that provide useful height in a herbaceous border. This is a short-lived perennial, and because it is borderline hardy, plants may be damaged by winter frosts. This may be avoided by leaving the dead stalks until spring, when new growth is evident, before cutting them back. A protective mulch should be added around them in the autumn with leaf mould or compost. They do, however, self-seed liberally and resulting seedlings are stronger and more drought-tolerant than those that are transplanted. This is a superb butterfly plant, rivalling even buddleja. The Royal Horticultural Society have given it the Award of Garden Merit.
Family: Verbenaceae
Genus: Verbena
Species: bonariensis
Plant type: Tender perennial
Flower colour: Lavender
Foliage colour: Mid-green
Feature: Flowers
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained/light, Moist
Hardiness: Half hardy
Skill level: Beginner
Height: 150cm
Spread: 45cm
Time to plant seeds: March to April
Flowering period: August to October
Reader reviews
MrsP
Easy to grow from seed and simply stunning - especially mixed with grasses such as Stipa tenuissima. The bees and butterflies love it and I'm looking forward to seeing where new plants will spring up in the spring from self-set seed. I love it!
willowplanter
I love this plant and once you have it it will seed freely. I like to plant it in the middle of a border as you can see through it and it looks stunning (well I think so) planted with orange varities of Crocosmia. As MrsP says it is also a fav of the butterflies and bees. I love it too!!
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