Verbena rigida

Description: Though slightly tender this upright floriferous rich purple autumn flowering plant is usually treated as herbaceous and may reappear as seedlings even if mother plant lost. Plant in drifts for an amazing and showy purple haze from June until October. Similar colour to the well known V. bonariensis but useful as compact and spreading habit so good for adding to the front-of-the-border for summer / autumn colour.

Uses: Any border and can be used in bedding schemes for summer show.

Climate/Position: Best in a sunny spot for full effect.

Height/Spread: 60 cm x up to 1 metre as branched and spreading.

Soil Requirements: Humus rich and fertile well drained soil especially in winter. Drought tolerant.

Pruning: If flower heads are left through the autumn to enjoy late flushes of flower and the seed-heads  then many seedling may appear the following year. if yu wish to avoid this then cut back after flowering.

Special Requirements: Was considered only borderline hardy but is now considered perennial, given good drainage.

Additional Interest: One of 200 species of verbena found in Latin America V. rigida was introduced into Europe circa 1820 by Dr John Gillies and soon after was used for bedding displays in grand French gardens - Versailles, Malmaison and Fontainebleau.