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Verbena bonariensis

purple top

AGM plants

AGM plants have been through a rigorous trial and assessment programme. They are:

  • Excellent for ordinary use in appropriate conditions
  • Available to buy
  • Of good constitution
  • Essentially stable in form & colour
  • Reasonably resistant to pests & diseases
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  • Other common names purple top
    Argentinian vervain

    South American vervain
    tall verbena

    see more

  • Synonyms Verbena bonariensis 'Buenos Aires'
    Verbena brasiliensis misapplied

    Verbena patagonica

    see more

  • Family Verbenaceae

  • Genus Verbena can be annuals, perennials or sub-shrubs, with toothed or pinnately lobed leaves and small, usually 5-petalled, salver-shaped flowers, typically held in spikes or panicles, in summer or autumn

  • Details V. bonariensis is a tall perennial with erect, branching stems to 2m in height, bearing sparse, oblong leaves and numerous branched clusters of small, purple flowers from summer to autumn

  • Plant range South America

Characteristics

  • Foliage Deciduous

  • Habit Columnar/Upright

  • Fragrance Flower

  • Hardiness

    Hardiness ratings

    All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

    • H1a - Under glass all year (>15C)
    • H1b - Can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
    • H1c - Can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
    • H2 - Tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
    • H3 - Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
    • H4 - Hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
    • H5 - Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
    • H6 - Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
    • H7 - Hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

    H4

Colour

Sunlight

  • Full Sun

  • Aspect South-facing or West-facing

  • Exposure Exposed or Sheltered

Soil

  • Clay

    Clay

  • Loam

    Loam

  • Chalk

    Chalk

  • Sand

    Sand

  • MoistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained

  • SoilClay, Loam, Chalk, Sand

  • pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral

Size

  • Ultimate height 1.5-2.5 metres

  • Ultimate spread 0.1-0.5 metres

  • Time to ultimate height 2-5 years

How to grow

Cultivation Grow in moist but well-drained or well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun. In cold areas, protect with a dry winter mulch

Propagation Propagate by seed in pots at 18-21°C in autumn to early spring or let it self-seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types Flower borders and beds Wall-side Borders Prairie Planting Gravel Garden City & Courtyard Gardens Coastal Cottage & Informal Garden

How to care

Pruning Cut down in spring as new growth emerges from the base; deadhead in autumn if seed is not required

Pests Generally pest free

Diseases Generally disease free

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Verbena bonariensis

purple top

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