Description
Verbena bonariensis is a tall and elegant plant which produces sprays of fragrant purple flowers on slim delicate stalks. It works well in a number of garden settings, such as cottage and contemporary gardens and will add stature and structure to your border. It has a long flowering season, making it an ideal plant for low-maintenance gardens and herbaceous borders.
It's also beneficial for attracting wildlife, particularly butterflies and has been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
| When to sow | March to May |
| Where to sow | Seeds will germinate quicker if they are given a period of cold before planting. Place the seeds with a little moistened compost in a plastic bag and place in the fridge for two weeks |
| Sow indoors finely on the surface of moist compost filled pots or trays and cover the seeds with a very fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. | |
| Cover the container with dark paper or similar as the seeds need the dark to germinate. | |
| Place the container in a dark place in a warm position (temperature of 18-25°C (65-77°F) is ideal). | |
| Remove the cover once they begin to germinate to allow air to circulate (otherwise they may suffer from damping off) and reduce the temperature to around 15°C (60°F). | |
| What to do Next | When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant into 7.5cm (3in) pots or trays and grow on in cooler conditions. |
| When all risk of frost has passed, acclimatise indoor raised seedlings to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Then transplant into final growing position planting them 30cm (12in) apart. | |
| Water well until plants are established. | |
| Deadhead to encourage further flowering. | |
| Flowering period | June to October |
| Companion Planting | Extremely attractive to butterflies. |
| Uses | Herbaceous border and cut flowers. |
| Height | 90-150cm (3-5ft). |
| Spread | 45-60cm. (18-24in) |
Payment & Security
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.