Verbena
Annual, Perennial

USDA Zones: 2 - 11
Light: sun
Height:  8 to 72 inches
Width:  8 to 36 inches
Flower Colors: primarily intense pinks and purples; also red, white
Bloom Time: late spring - fall
Special Features:
Attracts Butterflies
Containers
CutFlowers
Easy to Grow
Flowers
Fragrant
Tolerates Drought

A hardworking plant, verbena is both long-blooming and drought-tolerant. Both the annual and perennial types bloom with bright clusters of flowers from midsummer through frost in vibrant colors that include hot pink and purple for perennial types; and white, red, purple, blue, and peach for annual types. Tall, upright Verbena bonariensis is great for the flower border while sprawling types, such as Verbena x hybrida, are ideal for hanging baskets and other containers.

Garden verbena (Verbena x hybrida) is a warm-season annual in Zones 2 to 11 but can also be grown as a perennial in Zones 7 to 11. It grows 6 to 12 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches across.

Rose vervain or clump verbena (Verbena canadensis) is an evergreen perennial Zones 6 to 10. It grows 8 to 18 inches tall and 3 feet wide.

Verbena bonariensis is reknown for attracting butterflies and is an annual growing perhaps 4 feet in Zones 2 to 6 and a perennial hitting up to 6 feet in Zones 7 to 10.

Notable Varieties
Verbena canadensis 'Old Royal Fragrance' has a wonderful scent.
Verbena x hybrda 'Peaches and Cream' is an unusual pastel mix of those colors.

Care
Average, very well-drained soil. Moderate water to drought-tolerant, depending on the type. Fertilize by working in compost two or three times during the season or by applying a slow-release fertilizer, following label directions exactly. Mulch to conserve moisture. If growing as a perennial each spring cut it back hard by half to two-thirds to keep plants neat.

Planting
Plant established plants in spring after all danger of frost has past. Pinch tips to encourage branching.

Pests and Diseases
Mites, thrips, and whitefly can be problems.