Verbena bonariensis
(Argentinian Vervain)
Family - Verbenaceae
Category - Perennial
Origin - South America
Year of Introduction - 1737
Season of Interest - Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H4
Height - 1.2m or more
Width - 45cm
Location - The Cool Garden, The Exotic Garden, The House Border, The Pond Garden, The Terrace, The Wedding Ring Border
Description: A clump-forming, herbaceous Perennial with slender, upright stems. Sparse dark green leaves are oblong to lanceolate in shape and are held in opposite pairs up the rigid stems. Dense clusters of small, violet-mauve flowers that are salverform in shape are held at the tops of branched stems. The flowers are produced continuously from early summer through to frost. This plant is particularly attractive to bees and butterflies due to the large amounts of nectar contained in the flowers. Excellent for use as cut flowers.
Named for Buenos Aires, the Argentinian capital where it was first collected.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Synonym - Verbena patagonica
Flower:
Prolific, small, violet-mauve flowers are salverform in shape and are produced in clusters on vertical, branched stems. The flowers are slightly scented and produced continuously from June until November (or until frosted).
Flower colour: Purple
Flower shape: Salverform flowers in clusters
Flowering time: June, July, August, September, October, November
Foliage:
Sparse, dark green leaves are oblong to lanceolate in shape and have serrate margins. The leaves have a rough, wrinkled texture and are held in opposite pairs intermittently up the square stems.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Oblong to lanceolate
Propagation:
Seed.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun to partial shade in well drained soil.