Verbena bonariensis is one of those plants that quietly gets on with the job. Tall and airy, with clusters of lilac-purple flowers on slender stems, it weaves easily through other planting, adding height and movement without bulking things out. With an early sowing and a bit of patience, it can flower in its first year. This AGM winner is a real magnet for pollinators, it’s great near veg beds or tucked into sunny borders.
🌸 Flowering: July to September
📏 Height: to 150-180cm
🌿Perennial
SOW & GROW: from January to April, sprinkle seeds thinly on the surface of damp, free-draining compost—just a light dusting of compost or vermiculite is enough. Keep the tray covered with a clear plastic bag or in a propagator at 20–22°C. Germination can take 2–4 weeks or longer, so hang in there. If things are slow, try chilling the tray in the fridge or outside for a week, then bring it back to warmth.
Once seedlings are big enough to handle, pot them on and keep them somewhere frost-free. Harden off gradually, then plant out after the last frost, spacing 30–50cm apart in a sunny, well-drained spot. When you first plant them out, pinch back the growing tips to encourage bushier, sturdier plants.
They might flower in the first year if sown early; otherwise expect blooms the next summer. Once established, they’ll self-seed gently—deadhead if you want to stop this. Cut back in spring when new shoots appear at the base.
Although not the easiest plant to get started, once you have Verbena bonariensis established, it’s a real asset in the garden.
ENJOY: great for cut flowers, and lovely dotted through borders or among grasses for a soft, natural look. It brings height and lightness to planting schemes—a see-through layer that doesn’t block the view. Bees and butterflies love it, so it’s a good companion near the veg patch too.
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