Heirloom

Verbena bonariensis

Photo: Acabashi · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Multiple long, thin stems topped with clusters of 2" heads packed with tiny flowers. Blooms July to frost. Attracts bees and butterflies. Also known as purple top verbena, tall verbena, South American vervain, and purple-top verbena. Perennial in Zones 7-10 but can be grown as an annual.

Harvest

90d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

7–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

2-5 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Verbena bonariensis in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Verbena bonariensis · Zones 7–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-drained, tolerates poor soil; prefers slightly acidic to neutral

WaterModerate; drought tolerant once established

SeasonTender Perennial

ColorPurple

Size2"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Root Cutting, Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Brown seed capsules

Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Capsule. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh verbena flowers are best displayed in water immediately after cutting and kept at room temperature (65-72°F) with moderate humidity. Blooms typically last 5-7 days in a vase. For preservation: (1) Air-drying—bundle stems and hang upside down in a warm, dark space for 2-3 weeks to create long-lasting dried arrangements; (2) Pressing—place individual flower clusters between parchment paper under weights for 2-3 weeks for botanical crafts; (3) Freezing in ice cubes—place flowers in water-filled ice cube trays for decorative use in beverages or crafts over several months.

History & Origin

Verbena bonariensis is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: South America

Advantages

+Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Pollinators
+Fast-growing

Considerations

-High maintenance

Companion Plants

Lavender, salvia, and catmint are the strongest companions here, and the reason is pretty direct: all three attract the same wave of pollinators — bumblebees, skippers, and small native bees — that Verbena bonariensis pulls in, so you end up with a dense, overlapping bloom cycle that keeps beneficial insects on-site from May through first frost. In our zone 7 Georgia garden, that pollinator overlap matters because it also draws in parasitic wasps (Braconidae family) that work whitefly and aphid populations without any intervention on your part. Ornamental grasses planted nearby fill a structural gap — they cover the lower 18–24 inches of height that V. bonariensis skips entirely with its airy, branching stems, so you're not staring at bare legs all season.

Marigolds and cosmos round out a solid combination. Tagetes patula specifically has a documented suppressive effect on root-knot nematodes, and cosmos attract hoverflies whose larvae are aggressive aphid predators. The height layering also works: cosmos and V. bonariensis both reach 3–5 feet, so they read as a loose, informal screen planted together.

Black walnut is a hard no — juglone leaches from the root zone across a wide radius and, while Verbena isn't the most sensitive plant around, there's no reason to put it in a spot where you're already fighting soil toxicity. Hostas fail for a completely different reason: they want part to full shade and steady moisture, conditions that will stunt V. bonariensis, which wants 6 or more hours of direct sun and handles dry stretches once it's established. They're not a pest problem — they're just incompatible enough that one of them will lose.

Plant Together

Lavender

Both attract pollinators and have similar drought tolerance and sun requirements

Salvia

Complementary flowering periods and both attract beneficial insects while deterring pests

Echinacea

Creates pollinator-friendly combinations and provides structural contrast with sturdy stems

Ornamental Grasses

Provides wind protection and textural contrast while sharing similar growing conditions

Roses

Verbena's pest-repelling properties help protect roses from aphids and other insects

Marigolds

Both repel harmful insects and attract beneficial pollinators and predatory insects

Cosmos

Similar height and airy growth habit creates natural partnerships for pollinator gardens

Catmint

Shared drought tolerance and both plants repel mosquitoes and other pests

Keep Apart

Black Walnut Trees

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill sensitive plants like verbena

Impatiens

Requires consistently moist soil and shade, opposite of verbena's drought-tolerant sun requirements

Hostas

Shade-loving plants that compete poorly with verbena's sun requirements and growth habit

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Spider mites, whiteflies, aphids

Diseases

Powdery mildew, root rot in poorly drained soil

Troubleshooting Verbena bonariensis

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Fine webbing on stems and undersides of leaves, with stippled or bronzed foliage, usually during hot dry spells

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) — populations explode when temperatures stay above 85°F and humidity drops
Dusty conditions, especially along gravel paths or unpaved beds

What to Do

1.Blast the undersides of leaves hard with a hose for 3–4 consecutive mornings — it physically disrupts colonies and the eggs
2.If the infestation is heavy, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil at dusk (not midday — you'll burn the foliage)
3.Keep mulch in place around the base to hold soil moisture and moderate air temperature near the plant

White powdery coating on leaves and upper stems, typically appearing mid-summer when nights cool down but days stay warm

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum or related species) — favored by the 70–80°F range with low daytime humidity and dew at night
Overcrowded planting that restricts airflow between stems

What to Do

1.Cut affected stems back by a third and bin them — don't compost them
2.Thin planting to maintain at least 18 inches between plants so air can move through
3.Apply a diluted baking soda spray (1 tablespoon per gallon of water with a few drops of liquid soap) as a low-input preventive if you've had mildew in previous years

Sticky residue on leaves and stems, with clusters of small soft-bodied insects crowded onto new growth and flower buds

Likely Causes

Aphids (commonly Myzus persicae or Aphis gossypii) — they target tender new growth and can arrive in large numbers fast in spring
Absence of nearby beneficial insect habitat to keep populations in check

What to Do

1.Knock them off with a firm water spray — repeat every 2–3 days until populations drop
2.Back off any high-nitrogen fertilizer mid-season; it produces the soft, sappy growth aphids prefer
3.Catmint or marigolds planted within 2–3 feet will pull in ladybugs and parasitic wasps that work aphid colonies without you doing much at all

Plants wilting despite adequate soil moisture, with dark brown or black discoloration at the crown and roots

Likely Causes

Root rot caused by Phytophthora or Pythium species — nearly always triggered by consistently waterlogged soil, not the pathogen alone
Planting in a low spot that holds water after rain, or in heavy clay without amendment

What to Do

1.Dig the plant and check the roots — if they're black and mushy past the crown, it won't recover; pull it and don't replant Verbena bonariensis in that spot for at least one season
2.If caught early with only a few roots affected, move the plant to a raised bed or a spot with at least 12 inches of well-draining amended soil
3.Drop the fixed watering schedule — check 2 inches down with your finger and only water if it's dry there

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Verbena bonariensis bloom?▼

Verbena bonariensis produces continuous blooms from July through the first frost, making it an excellent long-season flower. Regular deadheading of spent flower clusters encourages more blooms throughout the growing season. In warm climates (Zones 7-10), it perennializes and can bloom for multiple seasons.

Is Verbena bonariensis good for beginner gardeners?▼

Yes, verbena bonariensis is excellent for beginners due to its easy-to-grow nature and minimal care requirements. It thrives with full sun exposure, tolerates poor soil, and needs only occasional watering once established. Its vigorous growth habit and prolific flowering make success nearly guaranteed.

Can you grow Verbena bonariensis in containers?▼

Absolutely. Verbena bonariensis grows well in containers 12+ inches deep with drainage holes. Use quality potting soil and position in full sun for best flowering. Container-grown plants may need more frequent watering during hot weather but reward with abundant blooms suitable for patios, balconies, and garden displays.

When should I plant Verbena bonariensis?▼

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date, or direct sow outdoors after frost danger passes. In warm zones, it can self-seed. For immediate flowers, purchase transplants and plant after frost. It blooms within 90 days and will flower until cold temperatures arrive in fall.

What attracts so many pollinators to Verbena bonariensis?▼

The dense clusters of tiny, nectar-rich flowers are irresistible to bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects. Its tall, airy structure allows easy access for pollinators, and continuous blooming from summer through frost provides consistent food sources throughout the season, making it ideal for pollinator gardens.

Does Verbena bonariensis need special soil preparation?▼

No, verbena bonariensis is remarkably tolerant of various soil types and even poor, well-drained soil. It doesn't require special amendments or fertilization. Overly rich soil can reduce flowering and encourage excessive foliage. It prefers full sun to partial shade with good drainage to prevent root rot.