Verbena bonariensis

Verbena bonariensis
“Tall Verbena”
VERBENACEAE

Evergreen Perennial

Zone: 7 – 11
Native habitat (range):  South America

Conditions
Soil: any
Moisture: well drained, drought tolerant
Light: full sun to part shade
Exposure: general
Plant size (h x w): 2′ – 6′ x 1′ – 2′
Other:

Aesthetic
Shape/stem:  upright, erect stiff branching stem
Leaf: sparse, oblong, simple. opposite, serrate, green
Flower: cymes, purple, at top of stems
Bloom: summer to fall
Other: at its best for first few years then looks too woody; size depends on conditions

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: general, easy to grow, easily cultivate seedlings and then move to new location, easy to move in first year
Maintain: cut back hard in spring for best results in second year
Propagate: self seeds (invasive)

Uses
Landscape: accent, perennial boarder, back of mixed boarder, see-through plant, container, drought tolerant garden
Companion plants: blooms are an easy colour to pair with most plants, can look good in the middle or back of a boarder as “see through”; grasses, umbel flowers, colours of cream, purple, white, bronze, gold
Medicinal:  none known
Other: attracts beneficials (bees, butterflies)

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant; powder mildew late in the year
Deer resistant: yes
Other animals: rabbit resistant

Interest
Local info,: not native, can be very invasive and will seed itself all over!
Pot size (to purchase):  1 gallon
Nature: “see-through” evergreen perennial – fairly invasive
Identification (key features):  tall wiry stiff stems, sparse leaves, purple clusters of florets

Interesting facts:
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