Purpletop Vervain

(Verbena bonariensis)

Purpletop Vervain (Verbena bonariensis)

F Delventhal

CC BY 2.0

Image By: F Delventhal

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Copyright Notice: Photo by: F Delventhal | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ | Uploader: krossbow | Publisher: Flickr

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Verbena bonariensis, commonly known as Purpletop Vervain, is a tall and slender-stemmed perennial subshrub or herb, often grown as an annual or biennial, native to open grasslands and forest edges in South America. It can reach up to 6 ft (180 cm) in height and spread to 3 ft (90 cm) wide. At maturity, it develops a woody base. The fragrant lavender to rose-purple flowers are borne in tight clusters on terminal and axillary stems, blooming prolifically from mid-summer until the first fall frost. The flowers are notably showy and attract a variety of pollinators.

Purpletop Vervain is valued for its airy texture, vertical accent, and the ability to attract wildlife, including butterflies, native bees, and beneficial insects. It is used in traditional, drought-tolerant, and pollinator-friendly gardens, as well as in parks. It is hardy in USDA Zones 7-11 and can be grown as an annual in colder regions, blooming in the first year from seed. The plant’s long internodes allow it to blend well with other plants, creating a mixed planting aesthetic. It thrives in well-drained soils, prefers full sun to partial shade, and requires regular moisture. While it is generally pest-resistant, powdery mildew can be an issue. Propagation is straightforward from seed, which germinates easily without pre-treatment, or from herbaceous stem cuttings. In some regions, such as California, Verbena bonariensis is considered potentially invasive, so gardeners should check local guidelines before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Subshrub, Herb
Height: 2-4 feet
Width: 1.5-3 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Purple
Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Medium

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Hummingbird Garden, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Open grasslands and forest edges

Other Names

Common Names: Purple-Top Vervain, Tall Vervain, Tall Verbena, Clustertop Vervain, Argentina Vervain, Brazil Vervain, South American Vervain, Butterfly Vervain, Pretty Vervain, Argentinische Verbene

Scientific Names: , Verbena bonariensis, Verbena bonariensis var. conglomerata, Verbena intercedens, Verbena inamoena, Verbena bonariensis var. longibracteata, Verbena bonariensis f. albiflora, Verbena bonariensis f. robustior, Verbena bonariensis var. hispida, Verbena elongata

GBIF Accepted Name: Verbena bonariensis L.