Verbena 'Homestead Purple' Vervain

Verbena 'Homestead Purple' Vervain is a tender perennial (winter hardy in Zone 7 and higher), typically grown as an annual, that blooms heavily from late spring to late fall, often until first frost. Its tight, rounded clusters of dainty bright purple flowers sit atop slender but strong green stems, which splay in a charming, well-behaved manner, giving the low-growing plant an airy structure. The subtly fragrant flowers bring bees and butterflies flocking to the garden and make enchanting and long-lasting additions to cut arrangements.

A Verbena canadensis, commonly called rose verbena, clump verbena, or rose vervain, 'Homestead Purple' has a bushy habit and vigorously spreads to quickly fill in large areas, rooting at the nodes. If not deadheaded, the plant may also self-seed in optimal conditions. Verbena is shown to best effect when massed or grouped as a ground cover or edging in beds and borders and is perfect for a pollinator garden. It's also a great specimen, container, or hanging basket plant.

Easy to grow and low maintenance, verbena grows best in sunny to partially sunny locations with moist, well-draining soil, but it tolerates a variety of soils, including clay, loam, sand, and shallow rocky soils. The plant performs well in hot, dry conditions and is bothered by few diseases or pests. It may benefit from a winter mulch.

A native plant, verbena is indigenous to North America. Native plants are not only beautiful but also environmentally friendly. Naturally adapted to the climate and soil conditions of the region, they thrive without fertilizers or extra watering, once established. They also act as natural pest controls, reducing the need for pesticides in the garden. Landscaping with native plants promotes biodiversity and provides shelter and quality food for wildlife and pollinators, bringing gardens to life.