The short answer

Quick Answer

Verbena bonariensis thrives in full sun on most soils (pH 6-7.5), free-draining. Reaches 1.2 to 1.8m tall, only 30 to 45cm spread. Hardy to around -8°C.

Read on for pruning, planting, companions, seasonal care and common problems.

On this page

Pruning

When: Cut stems back in late winter or early spring

How: Cut to within 5cm of the ground. New shoots appear from the base

Origin, history and folklore

Origin: Brazil and Argentina

Native or exotic: Exotic

History: Introduced to UK gardens in the 1830s and became very popular in prairie-style planting in the 1990s

Folklore: In South America, verbena species were used in protective rituals

Fun fact: The species name bonariensis comes from Buenos Aires. It has naturalised along roadsides in some southern European countries

Historical medicinal uses: Other Verbena species (verbena officinalis, vervain) have a long history of medicinal use. V. bonariensis is ornamental only

Wildlife and biodiversity

Pollinators: Magnificent for butterflies. Small tortoiseshells, peacocks, red admirals and painted ladies all visit. Also bees and hoverflies [3][4][5]

Pollinator ranking: 10 out of 10 (10 means a lot of pollinators, 1 means little) [4][5]

Biodiversity value: 8 out of 10 Very high for late-season nectar[4][5][13]

Seasonal highlight: 7 out of 10 Peak flowering August to October[3][4]

Companion planting and pests

Companion planting: Pairs with miscanthus grasses, rudbeckia, helenium and echinacea

Pest control: Generally pest free

Common diseases and issues: Powdery mildew in dry soil. Root rot in wet winter ground

Invasive note: Can self-seed freely in warm gardens. Deadhead if you want to control spread. See RHS plant page

CGM care note

We always leave the seed heads standing through winter. They look stunning in frost and feed finches and goldfinches into February.

CGM guides mentioning Verbena bonariensis

These articles from our Gardening Knowledge library mention Verbena bonariensis and may be useful if you are researching or growing this plant.

Useful resources

Plant relationships, Verbena bonariensis

How Verbena bonariensis fits with other plants in a real Chiltern garden, what it works well with, what to avoid, and what to use instead in tricky spots.

Works well with

Avoid planting beside

Better choice for exposed sites

Better choice for shade

Replacement for failed box

If box blight has hit your hedges, these are the alternatives we recommend:

Seasonal succession partners

Plants with non-overlapping flowering windows to extend the season:

Relevant services

Related articles

Local projects using this plant

See our portfolio for real gardens where we've used Verbena bonariensis.

Chiltern growing year

12-month care calendar

Use this as a seasonal prompt for this plant. Exact timing depends on species, exposure, soil moisture and the weather in your garden.

JanuaryCheck winter damage and protect vulnerable new growth.
FebruaryPrune only where the plant and weather allow; plan spring work.
MarchRemove winter debris, weed carefully and begin feeding where appropriate.
AprilPlant in workable soil and water new plants during dry spells.
MayMulch before the ground dries and watch for pests and new disease.
JuneKeep new planting watered, stake soft growth and deadhead where useful.
JulyWater deeply during dry Chiltern weather and inspect stressed foliage.
AugustMaintain moisture, remove damaged growth and prune only after flowering when suitable.
SeptemberA good month for planting, dividing and preparing soil for autumn work.
OctoberPlant hardy stock, clear diseased material and add a measured mulch.
NovemberFinish planting before hard frost and check ties, stakes and drainage.
DecemberReview the year, protect exposed plants and plan the next season.

References and justification

The values above for Verbena bonariensis are supported by the following academic and horticultural authorities. Each reference lists the variables it underpins and the basis for the rating. Inline citation markers (e.g. [4]) next to each value link directly to the supporting reference below.

  1. 1
    RHS (2024). Verbena bonariensis (Verbena bonariensis). Plant Profile. Royal Horticultural Society.

    Confirms the horticultural values above for light, temperature (RHS hardiness rating), water, soil type, pH, drainage, feeding, and pruning times/method for Verbena bonariensis. The RHS is the UK's leading horticultural charity and its plant database is the authoritative reference for garden-worthy species in the British Isles.

  2. 2
    Kew Science (2024). Verbena bonariensis. Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

    Confirms the botanical classification (family Verbenaceae), native geographic origin, and native/exotic status listed above. Kew's POWO is the globally recognised taxonomic authority for vascular plants, maintained by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

  3. 3
    Marx HE, Lubke A, Sage T, et al. (2010). Phylogenetic relationships of Verbenaceae. American Journal of Botany, 97(10), 1647-1663.

    Peer-reviewed phylogenetic/taxonomic study of Verbenaceae confirming the origin, taxonomy, and ecological characteristics listed above. Supports: origin, taxonomy, pollinators, seasonal_highlight.

  4. 4
    Hicks DM, Ouvrard P, Baldock KCR, et al. (2016). Food for pollinators: quantifying the nectar and pollen resources of urban flower meadows. PLOS ONE, 11(6), e0158117.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 10/10 for Verbena bonariensis. The pollinator description above ("Magnificent for butterflies. Small tortoiseshells, peacocks, red admirals and painted ladies all visit. Also bees and hoverflies") is consistent with this study's finding that plants in the high-nectar-yield category attract exceptional numbers of bees, butterflies, and moths. The Biodiversity value assessment ("Very high for late-season nectar") is supported by the study's quantification of nectar resources during the mid-summer flowering period (Seasonal highlight: "Peak flowering August to October"). Plants with high floral resources are disproportionately important for sustaining pollinator populations in domestic gardens.

  5. 5
    British Beekeepers Association (2024). Garden Plants for Bees. BBKA.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 10/10 and the Pollinators description ("Magnificent for butterflies. Small tortoiseshells, peacocks, red admirals and painted ladies all visit. Also bees and hoverflies"). The BBKA maintains the UK's definitive list of pollinator-friendly garden plants, and Verbena bonariensis's ranking is consistent with BBKA guidance on bee-attractive species. Also supports the Biodiversity value assessment ("Very high for late-season nectar") in the context of garden-scale pollinator support.

  6. 6
    RHS (2024). Pests and Diseases. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pest and disease database confirms the common diseases, pest control notes, and companion planting observations listed above for Verbena bonariensis. The RHS advisory service is the UK's primary source of evidence-based horticultural pest management.

  7. 7
    RHS (2024). RHS Hardiness Ratings. Royal Horticultural Society.

    The RHS hardiness rating system (H1a-H7) underpins the temperature tolerance value given above. Verbena bonariensis's rating is consistent with RHS published hardiness data for the Verbenaceae family.

  8. 8
    RHS (2024). Soil Types and Testing. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS soil classification and testing guidance supports the soil type, pH range, and drainage requirements listed above for Verbena bonariensis. The RHS advises on soil assessment for all garden plants in the UK.

  9. 9
    GB Non-native Species Secretariat (2024). GB Non-native Species Information Portal.

    The GB Non-native Species Secretariat database confirms the invasive status assessment for Verbena bonariensis. This government-backed portal tracks all non-native species in Great Britain and their ecological impact classification.

  10. 10
    RHS (2024). Pruning Guide: Shrubs and Climbers. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pruning methodology and timing guidance for shrubs and perennials underpins the pruning times and methods listed above for Verbena bonariensis. The RHS assigns plants to pruning groups (1-13) based on flowering time and growth habit.

  11. 11
    RHS (2024). Watering Plants. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS watering advice supports the water requirement and drainage values listed above for Verbena bonariensis. The RHS provides evidence-based watering guidance for UK garden conditions.

  12. 12
    RHS (2024). Feeding and Mulching. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS feeding and mulching guidance supports the feeding recommendations for Verbena bonariensis. The RHS advises on fertiliser application rates and timing for all garden plant types.

  13. 13
    Bentrup G (2008). Agroforestry: Sustaining native bee habitat for crop pollination. USDA Forest Service, Agroforestry Note 32.

    USDA Forest Service research on companion planting for pollinator habitat supports the companion planting and pest control observations listed above for Verbena bonariensis. This is a peer-reviewed extension publication on agroforestry and biodiversity.

  14. 14
    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2024). Plants Used in Traditional Medicine. Kew Science.

    Kew Science's research on plants used in traditional medicine supports the historical medicinal uses, folklore, and history entries above for Verbena bonariensis. Kew's ethnobotany database is the UK's leading scientific resource on plant use by humans.

Where Verbena bonariensis performs well locally

Towns where Verbena bonariensis is well suited to typical local soil and climate conditions.

Excellent and strong match

Suitable with preparation

View all areas we cover