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Verbona

This document provides information about the plant Verbena bonariensis, including its description, uses, culture requirements, and pests. It details characteristics like its upright habit, purple flowers, and tolerance for full sun and drought. The document also provides tips on using it for edging, mass planting and includes photos illustrating the plant and its growing zones.

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JackKemp
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77 views

Verbona

This document provides information about the plant Verbena bonariensis, including its description, uses, culture requirements, and pests. It details characteristics like its upright habit, purple flowers, and tolerance for full sun and drought. The document also provides tips on using it for edging, mass planting and includes photos illustrating the plant and its growing zones.

Uploaded by

JackKemp
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Fact Sheet FPS-597

October, 1999

Verbena bonariensis1
Edward F. Gilman, Suzanne Shiffit2

Introduction

Verbena bonariensis is an 18- to 36-inch-tall perennial


with an upright habit and rigid branching stems (Fig. 1). The
habit is unlike many of the other, more common verbenas. The
2- to 3-inch-long, light green leaves are narrow and sharply
toothed. Purple, panicle-like flowers appear on this plant in the
spring, summer, and fall. These beautiful flowers may be cut
for flower arrangements and are long-lasting.

General Information

Scientific name: Verbena bonariensis


Pronunciation: ver-BEEN-nuh boe-nar-ree-EN-sis
Common name(s): Purple Verbena
Family: Verbenaceae
Plant type: ground cover
USDA hardiness zones: 7B through 10 (Fig. 2)
Planting month for zone 7: year round
Planting month for zone 8: year round
Planting month for zone 9: year round
Planting month for zone 10: year round Figure 1. Purple Verbena.
Origin: not native to North America
Uses: edging; ground cover; attracts butterflies; mass planting; Plant habit: upright
naturalizing Plant density: open
Availablity: somewhat available, may have to go out of the Growth rate: moderate
region to find the plant
Texture: fine

Description Foliage
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Spread: 2 to 3 feet Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite

1. This document is Fact Sheet FPS-597, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food
and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: October, 1999 Please visit the EDIS Web site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
2. Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, Suzanne Shiffit, program assistant, horticultural programs, Marion County, Cooperative
Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational
information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.
For information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension Service office. Florida Cooperative
Extension Service / Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences / University of Florida / Christine Taylor Waddill, Dean
Verbena bonariensis -- Purple Verbena Page 2

Figure 2. Shaded area represents potential planting range.

Leaf type: simple


Leaf margin: serrate Trunk/bark/branches: not applicable
Leaf shape: elliptic (oval) Current year stem/twig color: green
Leaf venation: pinnate Current year stem/twig thickness: medium
Leaf type and persistence: deciduous
Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: no fall color change Culture
Fall characteristic: not showy
Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part sun
Flower Soil tolerances: acidic; alkaline; sand; loam; clay;
Drought tolerance: high
Flower color: purple Soil salt tolerances: poor
Flower characteristic: spring flowering; summer flowering; Plant spacing: 18 to 24 inches
fall flowering

Fruit Other

Fruit shape: unknown Roots: not applicable


Fruit length: unknown Winter interest: no special winter interest
Fruit cover: unknown Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding
Fruit color: unknown Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests

Trunk and Branches

October 1999
Verbena bonariensis -- Purple Verbena Page 3

Use and Management


Purple Verbena may be used in the landscape as an edging
or ground cover and is lovely when massed. It can make a nice
show in the perennial border, adding a light, airy touch to the
garden.

Purple Verbena should be grown in full sun on a well-


drained soil. It is very heat tolerant and can endure periods of
drought. Periodic pruning will enhance this perennial’s growth
habit and blooming. Cut it back if it becomes too leggy and to
promote another flower display.

Pests and Diseases

Verbena bonariensis is susceptible to powdery mildew


and whiteflies.

October 1999

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