If butterflies and a purple overstory is something you see in your future, Verbena is the perfect choice. Verbena bonariensis, aka Tall Verbena or Purpletop Vervain, is from the Verbenaceae family. Verbena is a tender perennial, and is often grown as an annual in climates with cooler temperatures. Verbena bonariensis grows vertically with an open structure giving purple wildflower vibes and makes for an excellent filler flower. The genus is Verbena and the species is V. bonariensis.

Upon receiving Verbena plugs, give them a day or two to harden off. Be sure to get them in the ground soon however to avoid them becoming rootbound. Select an area that receives full sun and a long period of time in the sun. In zones 1 - 7, plant Verbena bonariensis after the risk of frost has passed. In zones 8 - 13, plant in the fall for early spring blooms or in the spring for summer flowers. Verbena likes warm days above 65 degrees fahrenheit and warm nights above 55 degrees fahrenheit.

Verbena plugs should be planted 12 - 18” apart. Remember that it grows vertically, so one can plant it closer together if you plan to harvest often. It will fill in all the gaps and self-seed over time. The stems are very sturdy so for most gardeners, netting and staking is not necessary. That said, understanding Verbena grows up to 4’ tall, if the area receives a lot of wind, one can use supports like nets and stakes as they see fit. Pinching the plant will make it shorter and bushier if this is the desired outcome. If one prefers tall long stems, then pinching is not recommended. Verbena, like most plants, are susceptible to common pests like aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites, so keep an eye out. The more likely threat is powdery mildew which you should treat quickly with insecticidal soap or appropriate biological controls. Deadheading will give you purple magic all summer long.

Harvesting Verbena is a straight up chore. While the stems are sturdy, they are rough and thin. Be sure to wear gloves. One successful method is to simply mow down the entire row with a hedge trimmer or shrubber shear & then pick out the flowers from the remnants. If you opt to selectively harvest, cut when 80% of the flowers are in bloom with clean utility scissors, leaving 2 - 3 sets of leaves to encourage re-flowering. Verbena will last up to one week under 40 degree fahrenheit refrigeration.