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Verbena bonariensis | tall verbena

Deep lilac flowers are held on tall (up to 6'!) wiry stems over lance-shaped leaves. This amazing see-through plant blooms from early summer through frost. It is a real treat to watch the purple flowers swaying gracefully in the breeze while covered in pollinators.

Generally, this plant is not hardy in the Hudson Valley, but will self-sow and return year after year. Happily, the plants in our garden have been fully root hardy through the last few winters! These plants are grown from their seeds.

Distinctions: Winner of an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticulture Society

Zones: 7 to 11
Family: Verbenaceae
Type: Herbaceous Perennial
Height: 36 to 72 in.
Spread: 18 to 36 in.
Exposure: Full Sun
Soil: Dry, Well-drained
Bloom Time: July to October
Native Range: South America

Special Characteristics

Deer-resistant
Pollinator favorite
Self-seeder
Short-lived
See-through plant

image credits

Image 1 (flowers) frank wouters, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Image 2 (in garden) Acabashi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Image 3 (with Pieris rapae) Bensinglespeed, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons