This Latin American wildflower is very popular with butterflies and also attracts bees and other pollinators. Grows to 60cm tall and 40cm across in full sun and a moist but well-drained soil. Produces purple flowers from June to August.
This plant will readily self-seed, or you can deadhead flowers that have finished to get a longer flowering season and prevent self-seeding.
This plant will survive temperatures down to -5°C and will handle cold winters better if the soil is reasonably well-drained.
Slender Vervain / Verbena rigida
Position: Flower border / Container
Flowering months: Jun / Jul / Aug
Light: Full sun / Mix of sun and shade
Soil: Clay / Loam / Chalk / Sand
Tested in our local soil (t.i.o.l.s.): Yes (but avoid heavy clay)
Drainage: Well drained / Moist but well-drained (never waterlogged)
Life cycle: Perennial (lives for many years)
Hardiness: Half hardy (survives temperatures down to -5°C)
Over winter: Dies back (deciduous)
Drought tolerant: Yes