Tall Verbena

AKA Purple Top Verbena, Brazilian Vervain or Tall Verbena

Scientific Name:  Verbena bonariensis

Light: Full sun to part shade

Zone: 7 to 11

Height:  2 to 4 feet

Width:  1.5 to 3 feet

Flowers: June to frost; Rose-violet, lavender

Fruit/Seed:

Fall Color:

Butterflies: On top 10 list for Maryland piedmont.  Verbena bonariensis attracts monarchs, commas, eastern tiger swallowtails, fritillaries, hairsteaks, painted ladies, red admirals, skippers, sulphurs, and more.

Birds:

Hummingbird:  Yes

Deer Resistant:

Insects/Pollinators: Verbena bonariensis attracts bumble bees, honey bees, hummingbird moths , an more.

Native:  No.  native to Brazil and Argentina

Idea Garden:

Propagation:  Different resources give different directions for sowing.  We will update this website after we have experimented with both methods.

Note:  The tall verbena sold by the 4-H GOES fundraiser in 2019 was “primed” and should simply be started indoors between 2/15 & 3/15 with no special instructions – just like you would start tomatoes.

1. Cold stratify for 4 weeks then germinate at 72F.  Darkness required for germination.
2. Sow seed indoors between February 15th and March 15th in Carroll County.  Cover seed lightly with growing medium.  Seed is slow to germinate and sensitive to excess moisture, so keep growing medium on the dry side until emergence.  Place seed trays on a heat mat during the day and remove at night to ensure proper germination temperature.  Seeds should germinate in 14 to 28 days at 60 to 86 F alternating temperatures between 60°F  at night and 86°F  during the day helps to break dormancy. Transplant to cell packs or larger containers after true leaves appear. Harden off and transplant outside after Mother’s Day. Direct seed after Mother’s Day but plants will not start flowering until late August.  90 days to maturity.