Types of verbena: overview of the most beautiful verbena varieties

Katja
Katja
Katja
Katja

I study landscape ecology and through my studies have discovered a love for plants. Plants are not only beautiful, but also have countless fascinating survival strategies. To bring a bit of nature into my home as well, I nurture my houseplants and herbs on every possible windowsill.

Favourite fruit: rhubarb and all kinds of berries
Favourite vegetables: onions and garlic

With so many verbena species and varieties, it can be difficult to choose what to plant. However, the differences lie not only in the appearance but also in the characteristics of the species.

American vervain inflorescences
Verbena hastata is just one of the verbena species suitable for the garden [Photo: Ziga13/ Shutterstock.com]

The genus verbena is versatile, and sometimes the differences between the species are subtle. To give you an overview, we have compiled the most common types of verbena and their varieties here.

How many verbena varieties and species are there?

The verbenas (Verbena), also called vervains, include around 87 different species. However, not all of them are used as ornamental plants. Verbena species are found throughout the world and differ accordingly, for example, in their winter hardiness. Among the most popular types of verbena, there are now also varieties of verbena that are distinguished by growth habits and flower colours.

spires of common verbena flowers
There are many more beautiful types of verbena than just common verbena [Photo: Doikanoy/ Shutterstock.com]

Verbena species and varieties at a glance

To make it easier to choose the right verbena variety for your own garden, we have put together a small selection of the most beautiful verbena species and varieties. The best known is certainly the common verbena (Verbena officinalis), which is used in medicine. Many other species, however, are more attractive because of their ornamental value in the garden.

The care advice for the verbena species listed here corresponds to the care of common verbena. They only need to be watered during longer dry periods, and, in good locations, fertilising at the beginning of the growing season is sufficient. This supports abundant flowering. A slow-release fertiliser, such as our Plantura Flower Food, is ideal for growing and caring for verbena − simply work it into the soil. The nutrients are released gradually and are sufficient for verbena for the entire growing season in ideal locations. All species are self-seeding and can be propagated by sowing.

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Purple top verbena

Purple top verbena (Verbena bonariensis) is also known as Argentinian vervain or tall verbena. It is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant that produces many small purple flowers that sit together in umbellate inflorescences. The flowering period is from July to October. It grows as an upright clump and reaches heights of up to 120cm.

This bee-friendly verbena species is best planted in full sun. Otherwise, the purple top verbena has hardly any demands for its location. The soil should ideally be well-drained and fresh or slightly moist. You can propagate the purple top verbena by seed or simply leave the inflorescences so that it can self-seed.

About 8 to 10 plants will fit on 1m², creating an attractive scenery. Other plants that go well with purpletop verbena are Mediterranean semi shrubs, such as rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), that have similar site requirements.

Field of flowering purple top verbena
Purple top verbena attracts pollinators, especially butterflies, to the garden [Photo: J Need/ Shutterstock.com]

Is purpletop verbena hardy? Verbena bonariensis can survive temperatures down to – 12 °C but should always be protected with a layer of mulch. The above-ground parts of the plant die in winter, and even if the below-ground part of the plant does not survive the winter, it usually survives by self-seeding.

The purple top verbena ‘Lollipop’ is a well-known variety. It remains considerably smaller than other types of verbena and reaches a height of about 60cm with compact growth.

American blue vervain

The American blue vervain (Verbena hastata), which comes from North America, has a noticeably different inflorescence when it flowers from July to September. The small purple flowers of this species are arranged in spikes, similar to those of common verbena. The lance-shaped leaves and the upright growth give this species its Latin nomenclature ‘hastata’, which means spear-shaped.

American blue vervain reaches heights of about 100 to 150cm and is hardy down to -30 °C, so it does not usually need any additional winter protection. As the plant dies above ground in winter, cut it back before winter or at the latest when new shoots appear.

Verbena hastata grows best in sunny locations with well-drained, fresh or moderately moist soil. When planting, make sure that there are no more than seven plants per square metre. In early summer, cuttings can be taken from mature plants for propagation.

American blue vervain in full sun
Like all types of verbena, Verbena hastata prefers a sunny location [Photo: PaulSat/ Shutterstock.com]

Of the Verbena hastata species, four varieties are well-known:

  • ‘Blue Spires’: blue-purple flowers
  • ‘Pink Spires’: white-pink flowers
  • ‘White Spires’: white flowers
  • ‘Rosea’: pink flowers

Slender Vervain

Native to South America, slender vervain (Verbena rigida) reaches heights of about 60cm and forms spike-like inflorescences. The flowers, however, bloom in a hemispherical arrangement. The pink flowers can be enjoyed over a long flowering period from June to October. Slender vervain blooms best in moderately nutrient-rich, well-drained soils and in sunny protected locations. Plant about three to five plants per square metre. Here are some beloved varieties of slender verbena:

  • ‘Venosa’: vibrant pink flowers
  • Santos’: bright purple flowers and grows about 60cm high

In contrast to the other types of verbena, slender verbena does not tend to self-seed generously − we suggest collecting the seeds and sowing them yourself for the best propagation results.

Is slender vervain hardy? This plant loves warmth and is only hardy to an extent. It tolerates temperatures down to about -5 °C. Therefore, in places with cold winters, it is generally kept as an annual plant. With suitable winter protection, such as a thick layer of mulch, it can certainly survive a mild winter. When slender verbenas grow perennially, they develop a broad, sprawling habit.

Verbena with spacious branching
Slender vervain has an abundance of pink or purple flowers from summer into autumn [Photo: mizy/ Shutterstock.com]

Hoary Verbena

Hoary vervain (Verbena stricta) is native to North America and also grows well in the UK. Compared to other types of verbena, this North American prairie species produces large flowers that are arranged on spikes. The spikes bloom from the bottom to the top during the flowering period from July to August. The flowering period is comparatively short, lasting only about 4 weeks. This annual to biennial herbaceous plant grows about 60cm high. It needs a sunny, warm location and well-drained soil. This species is hardy but not particularly long-lived and can tolerate temperatures down to -30 °C.

Sword-like hoary verbena inflorescences
Hoary verbena is easily confused with American blue vervain [Photo: David S Mohn/ Shutterstock.com]
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