Purpletop Vervain
Verbena bonariensis
Also listed as Verbena intercedens, Verbena elongata
Also known as Purpletop, Purpletop Verbena, Argentine Vervain
Climate Match for your location
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A tall, airy perennial with slender stems topped by delicate spikes of purple flowers that bloom from summer through frost. It's drought-tolerant once established and works well as a backdrop plant or for adding vertical interest to borders.
Why grow it
Purpletop vervain offers reliable height and airy texture that many gardeners find difficult to achieve with other summer bloomers. Unlike denser perennials, its thin stems and small flowers create a see-through quality useful for layering plants in borders without blocking sightlines. It flowers prolifically from mid-summer into fall with minimal deadheading required, making it a practical choice for low-maintenance plantings in full sun.
Watch out for
This plant self-seeds readily in favorable conditions, so removing spent flower spikes before seeds mature will prevent volunteer seedlings if you want to control its spread. In rich, heavily amended soil it may grow laxer and require staking, while lean, well-drained soil typically produces sturdier stems. Performance can be inconsistent in humid climates where fungal issues may develop on crowded plants.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Verbenaceae
Native Range
South America
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A tall, airy perennial with slender stems topped by delicate spikes of purple flowers that bloom from summer through frost. It's drought-tolerant once established and works well as a backdrop plant or for adding vertical interest to borders.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Purpletop Vervain grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Purpletop vervain offers reliable height and airy texture that many gardeners find difficult to achieve with other summer bloomers. Unlike denser perennials, its thin stems and small flowers create a see-through quality useful for layering plants in borders without blocking sightlines. It flowers prolifically from mid-summer into fall with minimal deadheading required, making it a practical choice for low-maintenance plantings in full sun.
Watch out for
This plant self-seeds readily in favorable conditions, so removing spent flower spikes before seeds mature will prevent volunteer seedlings if you want to control its spread. In rich, heavily amended soil it may grow laxer and require staking, while lean, well-drained soil typically produces sturdier stems. Performance can be inconsistent in humid climates where fungal issues may develop on crowded plants.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Verbenaceae
Native Range
South America
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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