Argentinian Vervain

Argentinian Vervain Overview

Verbena bonariensis is a tall airy perennial from the Verbenaceae family. It is a very popular garden plant, providing great architectural height at the back of a border or an attractive see-through screen along pathways. This species originates from South America. It is also known by the names Argentinian Vervain, Tall Verbena and Purple Top, amongst others. It produces an abundance of small purple flowers, arranged on thin, branched stems in structures known as umbels. These are clusters which radiate from a central stem point, producing flowers on stalks of roughly equal length, to form a flattened or slightly rounded, horizontal surface of blooms. This plant typically grows to 2m in height; it has an open form and few leaves, grown for the flowers over the foliage. It has been awarded a Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Award of Garden Merit for its long flowering period. It is also part of the RHS “Plants for Pollinators” initiative to showcase plants which support pollinator populations by providing ample amounts of nectar and/ or pollen. An excellent choice for encouraging pollinating insect wildlife into your garden!

How to harvest Argentinian Vervain

Flowers can be cut for floral arrangements.

How to propagate Argentinian Vervain

Seed

Either sow in pots at 18-21°C in autumn to early spring or let it self-seed. Transplant seedlings when leaves are large enough to handle without damage, place into individual pots or plant out to the final position.

Cuttings

You can propagate from seed in the autumn or spring, from stem cuttings in summer or autumn.

Special features of Argentinian Vervain

Attracts butterflies

Attracts bees

Attractive flowers

Attracts useful insects

Other uses of Argentinian Vervain

Suits prairie style planting either in flower borders/beds of informal cottage or gravel gardens.