Verbena is one of the best plants for adding height, lightness and movement to the garden. Loved for its airy clusters of purple flowers and its ability to weave beautifully through other plants, Verbena brings a natural, meadow like feel that lasts from midsummer into autumn. Bees and butterflies adore it, and even a single plant can add an elegant vertical accent without overwhelming a border.
Verbena bonariensis is the classic choice, sending up tall, slender stems topped with clouds of lavender purple blooms that hover above the planting below. For smaller gardens or patio pots, Verbena Lollipop offers the same soft colour in a more compact shape, making it perfect for front of border planting or adding height in containers. Both varieties flower for a long period and continue to look good even as the seed heads form later in the season.
Verbena thrives in full sun and well drained soil, and once established it is very low maintenance. It is drought tolerant, self seeds gently and brings reliable colour year after year. Its light, open habit makes it ideal for modern gardens, wildlife friendly spaces and cottage garden borders where a relaxed, natural look is preferred.
These easy going perennials pair beautifully with other soft, summery plants. Try combining Verbena with gaura, rudbeckia or nepeta for a lively, pollinator rich display, or mix it with ornamental grasses to create gentle movement in the breeze. Verbena also works well alongside Mediterranean style plants, helping to add height without creating dense shade.
For more inspiration, explore our collections of perennials, cottage garden plants, pollinator plants and low maintenance plants.
