I have delighted in its blooms. But I'm not the only one! The butterflies have been going crazy over this plant's tiny little blooms, too.
Verbena bonariensis grows to about 4 ft tall, on tall, thin sticks, is a perennial in zones 7 through 10, and is supposed to reseed like crazy. (In some areas, it may become invasive.) It doesn't add much visual weight to the garden, but it's perfect for adding in between or behind plantings. Full sun, drought tolerant. (Perfect for my hot, dry, Texas garden!)
If you want to grow verbena bonariensis, try finding it at your local flea market. Or, for a more reliable source, you could try growing it from seeds. Then stand back and wait for the butterflies!
This is a plant I grew up with in my mom's garden and I always looked forward to it every year. How fun that it is bring butterflies to your garden!!
ReplyDeleteI'd never seen it around here before I saw it at the flea market. How fun to have grown up knowing this plant!
DeleteYou made a wise purchase! I had tried to grow tall verbena from nursery purchased plants several times and even from seed packets and could not get it to grow for me. Finally a couple of years ago I obtained a few seedlings when the Master Gardeners were doing the spring cleanup of the perennial beds at the demonstration gardens. The seedlings grew for me, and they have come back each year. I like that they add heighth but you can still see through them. Mine grow to over 5' tall.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that the seeds and plants wouldn't grow for you, but that the local seeds would! I am hoping that my reseed for me.
DeleteLove it love it love it ! Love the colour, love how it gives colour not bulk to a border, love that butterflies flock to it ... but ... I can't get it to self seed! Everyone else complains that it selfseeds all over and is like a weed - not in MY garden ! Wish it would ...
ReplyDeleteI am hoping my reseeds for me. I try to keep a thick layer of mulch down - I'm hoping that won't deter them. I'm also wondering if this plant is really harder to grow than their invasive reputation implies!
DeleteDiscovered this plant a couple of years ago, sadly doesn't reseed in my garden. I'm going to see if I can collect seed this year. Worthy of a spot in most gardens.
ReplyDeleteBTW reaches around 6FT here.
6 ft! Wow! That must make a stunning statement! I'm going to try to collect seeds just in case mine doesn't reseed, either. Good luck with yours!
Deletewow love it
ReplyDeleteMe, too. And the butterflies, too! :)
DeleteIt is a pretty flower, and definitely worth growing for the butterflies. The flowers remind me of Statice in a way.
ReplyDeleteYes, they do look like statice! I think they make great cut and dried flowers, too.
DeleteI too love this verbena. It has been covered in butterflies. In my garden it has reseeded but it is very easy to remove any unwanted plants.
ReplyDeleteOh, I certainly hope mine will reseed for me. That would be a bargain plant! :)
DeleteSnip off the dry seedheads and sprinkle them where you need a little scrim in front of things. You may or may not get seedlings, but likely. It isn't a thug in my garden, but it is planted where most volunteers come up in grass and are mowed away. The ones who remain sedately in place are marvelous.
ReplyDeleteGood to know it's not a thug there. Since I've never seen it growing around here, I don't think it will be here, either. I am definitely going to try to spread its seed around, and hope for the best!
Deletethis would be a borderline plant for my zone, but I may try it anyway. Love having lots of butterflies! Maybe we could swap some seeds???
ReplyDeleteI'd be glad to try to collect some seed for you! Email me your address, and I'll try to mail you some this autumn. :)
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DeleteI removed your address from public view, but have it in my file. :)
DeleteButterflies...wow!! They are thanking you so much...
ReplyDeleteI just love going out there and seeing the butterflies. They are always near these plants. They really do love them!
DeleteI also planted this for the first time this year after seeing featured on several blogs. I found it a a local nursery and have been very happy with it. Mine has a bit of powdery mildew but still blooms away attracting all types of butterflies and moths. Hard to believe we could get powdery mildew with all heat and no rain. I hope it reseeds all over the place too!
ReplyDeleteShirley, mine have a touch of that, too. I wondered how in the world, but I do irrigate my flower beds, and I also wondered if it didn't have to do with the ph of my water. Glad to know it's not just me!
DeleteWhat a fantastic shot with the gorgeous butterflies all over your new plant. This is one flower I've seen on other blogs and in garden books, I've always admired it but have never seen it for sale.
ReplyDeleteI had never seen it for sale before that day, either. I snatched it up in a hurry! I do hope it reseeds for me, and that I don't weed it all out! :O
DeleteIt is a very pretty plant. Love the blooms but it's best since it attracts butterflies to it so well.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
I agree, Cher. Without the butterflies this would just be an o.k. plant!
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