PLANT ARCHIVE | Verbena bonariensis
Tall and slender, Verbena bonariensis is an airy yet vibrant flowering perennial commonly known as Purpletop Vervain. It’s lofty sprigs of lilac-purple appear to float above surrounding plants of shorter stature. Hailing from South America, this species has become naturalised in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. It flourishes with clusters of blooms from late spring through the warmer months attracting pollinators.
Growing conditions
Verbena bonariensis is a hardy, drought-tolerant plant that thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts well to any soil type. It can reach heights of 1-2 meters with a spread of 45-60 cm, making it a striking addition to any garden. For medium density when mass planting, NBLA recommends spacing plants 30 cm apart. The stems will weave through spaces to reach adequate light.
Care and maintenance
Due to its rigorous growth habit, Verbena can become invasive. Regularly remove spent flowers before self-seeding takes place. In Autumn, the plant can be pruned to ground level.
Verbena bonariensis creates a stunning effect when mass-planted, as seen in image 2/4. Its height makes it an excellent choice for edging the pool balance tank. Consider adding other tall plants, such as grasses, for mixed plantings (as shown in image 3/4), or positioning Verbena behind shorter border plants, as per image 4/4.
Connect with our Melbourne garden design team to learn more about how you can incorporate this plant into your next project.