About
Stiff, upright, clump-forming perennial, a dwarf form to 60cm in height, with rough, branching stems, sparsely bearing wrinkled, toothed leaves. From midsummer to autumn it produces open, branched clusters of small lilac-purple flowers; these are a good nectar source for pollinating insects.
About the 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
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Prairie planting, Wildlife gardens, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow 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
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed or division
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, thrips and leafhoppers
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews