Verbena

Verbena is a genus in the family Verbenaceae. It contains about 250 species of annual and perennial herbaceous or semi-woody flowering plants. The majority of the species are native to the Americas and Asia.

Description

The leaves are usually opposite, simple, and in many species hairy, often densely so. The flowers are small, with five petals, and borne in dense spikes. Typically some shade of blue, they may also be white, pink, or purple, especially in cultivars.

Uses

Some species, hybrids and cultivars of verbena are used as ornamental plants. They are drought-resistant, tolerating full to partial sun, and enjoy well-drained, average soils. Plants are usually grown from seed. Some species and hybrids are not hardy and are treated as half-hardy annuals in bedding schemes.

Species

There are hundreds of species of verbena but only a few are regularly cultivated. These include:

• Verbena bonariensis (Purpletop Vervain)
• Verbena hastata (American Blue Vervain)
• Verbena officinalis (Common Vervain)
• Verbena simplex (Narrow-leaved Vervain)

Cultivation

Verbena plants are beautiful additions to any garden. Verbena bonariensis is a tall and slender-stemmed perennial. It can grow to 6 ft (120 cm) tall and can spread to 3 ft (90 cm) wide. At the top of the plant, small purple flowers present themselves in a tall and thin cluster. This plant is resistant to drought and is a butterfly magnet.

See also

• List of Verbena species
• Cultivar

References

Verbena Resources
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