Verbena

Verbena

Verbena bonariensis ( Tall Verbena )
Also called Brazilian Verbena. An erect, clumping perennial, reaching a maximum size of 8 x 4 feet. Looks great at the back of the border and is stunning as a mass planting. It is native from Paraguay to southern Brazil; south to Uruguay to Argentina.
The toothed, lance-shaped leaves, up to 18 inches in length, are rough and deep green. The leaves are borne on stems that are squarred.
The fragrant, bright purple flowers are borne in flat clusters on stiff, hairy, branched stems from early summer to late autumn. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
The rough textured stems are square.
Hardy zones 7 to 10 in full sun on moist, fertile, well drained soil. Pinch stems during mid spring to encourage branching. Very heat tolerant. May be grown as an annual in zones 6 and north and may even reseed.

* photo taken on Sep 26 2013 in Baltimore Co., MD

* photo of unknown internet source

* photo taken on July 11 2014 in Washington, DC

* photos taken @ Smithsonian Inst, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014

* photo taken on Sep 21 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA

* photo taken on Aug 24 2017 @ U.S. Botanic Garden, Wash. DC.

* photo taken on Aug 1 2022 in Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

'Lollipop'
A moderately fast growing, dwarf compact cultivar, reaching only 2 x 3 feet; otherwise similar to species.

* photo taken on Sep 23 2013 in Burtonsville, MD

* photo taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA

Verbena x canadensis ( Rose Verbena )
A very vigorous, low, semi-prostrate, annual or perennial depending upon climate, reaching a maximum size of 2 x 6 ( rarely over 1 x 3 ) feet, that is native to dry open woods in much of the U.S. ( from Colorado to Iowa to Virginia; south to Mexico to Florida ).
The toothed, ovate leaves, up to 4 x 1.6 inches in size, are rough, deep green.
The flowers are borne in rounded clusters from late spring until autumn frosts. The flowers attract butterflies. They look great in hanging baskets, window boxes and trailing over landscape walls.
Hardy zones 7 to 10 in full sun to light shade on well drained soil that is not excessively wet during winter ( prone to rot from snow melt ). Generally hardy to 9 F, it may be hardier to possibly even zone 6 on a protected site and with winter mulch ( pine boughs, straw or shredded leaf compost is perfect ) . Plants are also hardier if not overwatered during autumn. Heat and drought tolerant. Cut back regularly during the growing season to encourage fresh growth and repeat blooming. Some clones have been reported to survive and even thrive in dry shade as long as it is not too dense.
May be grown as an annual in zones 6 and north and may even reseed.
Most cultivars listed below are hybrids also including V. peruviana.
In the past, this plant was very prone to mildew and spider mites, which would ruin the foliage during summer, however new forms such as the Homesteads are resistant and remain very lush and attractive all summer long.

* photo of unknown internet source

* photo taken on Sep 14 2013 in Columbia, MD

'Amethyst'
Flowers are violet-blue with a white eye.

'Annie'
A long lived, groundcover perennial, reaching up to 6 inches x 3 feet.
The slightly fragrant, lavender-pink flowers are borne mid spring until autumn frosts.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 ( 3 on protected sites with deep mulch ).

'Aztec Blue Velvet'
Moderate growing and trailing in habit. reaching up to 0.7 x 1.5 feet, in the first 7 weeks. It usually takes 5 to 7 weeks from rooted cutting to fill a 4 inch container.
The foliage is deep green. The toothed, ovate leaves are up to 1.7 x 1.2 inches in size.
The deep violet'blueflowers are borne in clusters, up to 2.4 x 1.7 inches in size. The flowers appear all summer until autumn frost.

* photo taken on June 1 2014 in Columbia, MD

'Blue Princess'
Reaches a maximum size of 1 x 3 feet, with abundant, very fragrant, light bluish-purple flowers. The foliage is mildew resistant.

Verbena 'Derby'
Flowers are scarlet-red with a white eye.

'Endurascape Blue'
A fast growing, dense, spreading perennial, reaching up to 1.3 x 3 feet. It usually takes 5 to 7 weeks from rooted cutting to fill a 4 inch container.
The toothed, ovate leaves are up to 1.7 x 1.2 inches in size.
It is a repeat bloomer, with intense lavender-blue flowers appearing in clusters up to 2.3 x 2 inches in size, mid-spring into mid-autumn.
Hardy zones 7 to 10, it has superior heat tolerance and mildew resistance.

* photo taken on May 3 2023 in Elkridge, MD

* photo taken on July 13 2023 in Columbia, MD

'Endurascape Hot Pink'
A fast growing, dense, spreading perennial, reaching up to 1.3 x 3 feet. It usually takes 5 to 7 weeks from rooted cutting to fill a 4 inch container.
The toothed, ovate leaves are up to 1.7 x 1.2 inches in size.
It is a repeat bloomer, with hot pink flowers appearing in clusters up to 2.3 x 2 inches in size, mid-spring into mid-autumn.
Hardy zones 7 to 10, it has superior heat tolerance and mildew resistance.

* photo taken on Aug 27 2020 in Columbia, MD

'Endurascape Magenta'
A fast growing, dense, spreading perennial, reaching up to 1.3 x 3 feet. It usually takes 5 to 7 weeks from rooted cutting to fill a 4 inch container.br /> The toothed, ovate leaves are up to 1.7 x 1.2 inches in size.
It is a repeat bloomer, with magenta-pink flowers appearing in clusters up to 2.3 x 2 inches in size, mid-spring into mid-autumn.
Hardy zones 7 to 10, it has superior heat tolerance and mildew resistance.

* photos taken on Oct 15 2017 in Elkridge, MD

* photo taken on June 5 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 20 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 25 2023 in Columbia, MD

'Endurascape Pink Fizz'
A fast growing, dense, spreading perennial, reaching up to 1.3 x 3 feet. It usually takes 5 to 7 weeks from rooted cutting to fill a 4 inch container.
The toothed, ovate leaves are up to 1.7 x 1.2 inches in size.
It is a repeat bloomer, with intense hot-pink flowers appearing in clusters up to 2.3 x 2 inches in size, mid-spring into mid-autumn.
Hardy zones 7 to 10, it has superior heat tolerance and mildew resistance.

* photos taken on May 14 2019 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on June 1 2019 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on June 24 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 6 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 6 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Nov 18 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 29 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 2 2021 in Columbia, MD

'Endurascape Purple'
A fast growing, dense, spreading perennial, reaching up to 1.3 x 3 feet. It usually takes 5 to 7 weeks from rooted cutting to fill a 4 inch container.
The toothed, ovate leaves are up to 1.7 x 1.2 inches in size.
It is a repeat bloomer, with purple flowers appearing in clusters up to 2.3 x 2 inches in size, from mid-spring into mid-autumn.
Hardy zones 7 to 10, it has superior heat tolerance and mildew resistance.

* photos taken on June 5 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 21 2022 in Elkridge, MD

* photo taken on Aug 19 2021 in Elora, ON

'Endurascape Red'
A fast growing, dense, spreading perennial, reaching up to 1.3 x 3 feet. It usually takes 5 to 7 weeks from rooted cutting to fill a 4 inch container.
The toothed, ovate leaves are up to 1.7 x 1.2 inches in size.
It is a repeat bloomer, with red flowers appearing in clusters up to 2.3 x 2 inches in size, mid-spring into mid-autumn.
Hardy zones 7 to 10, it has superior heat tolerance and mildew resistance.

* photo taken on Aug 21 2022 in Elkridge, MD

'Endurascape White Blush'
A fast growing, dense, spreading perennial, reaching up to 1.3 x 3 feet. It usually takes 5 to 7 weeks from rooted cutting to fill a 4 inch container.
The toothed, ovate leaves are up to 1.7 x 1.2 inches in size.
It is a repeat bloomer, with pinkish-white to white flowers appearing in clusters up to 2.3 x 2 inches in size, mid-spring into mid-autumn.
Hardy zones 7 to 10, it has superior heat tolerance and mildew resistance.

* photos taken on Aug 7 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 17 2023 in Columbia, MD

'Firehouse Pink'

* photo taken on Apr 24 2024 in Elkridge, MD

'Firehouse Purple'

* photo taken on Apr 24 2024 in Elkridge, MD

'Firehouse Purple Fizz'

* photo taken on Apr 24 2024 in Elkridge, MD

'Firehouse Red'

* photo taken on Apr 24 2024 in Elkridge, MD

'Firehouse White'

* photo taken on Apr 24 2024 in Elkridge, MD

'Homestead Carpet Red'
Vigorous in habit, reaching a maximum size of 6 inches x 5 feet, with healthy deep green foliage. The foliage is mildew resistant.
The abundant, scarlet-red flowers borne early summer to late autumn.

* photos taken on June 10 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 25 2021 in Columbia, MD

'Homestead Pink'
Reaches a maximum size of 2 x 5 ( rarely over 1 x 3 ) feet, with healthy green foliage and abundant, bright pink flowers.

* photos taken on June 20 2014 in Harford Co., MD

'Homestead Purple'
Vigorous in habit, reaching a maximum size of 16 inches x 5 feet, with healthy deep green foliage and abundant, rich deep purple flowers borne early summer to late autumn. The foliage is mildew resistant.

* photo taken on July 7 2011 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Sep 29 2013 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on Aug 24 2017 @ U.S. Botanic Garden, Wash. DC.

* photos taken on Oct 15 2017 in Elkridge, MD

* photo taken on Apr 10 2020 in Elkridge, MD

* photo taken on Apr 16 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 29 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 10 2023 @ Smithsonian Institute, Wash., DC

'Madame du Barry'
Flowers are deep red.

'Quartz Blue'
Reaches up to 1 foot with large blue ( with small white eye ) flowers.

* photos taken on Apr 24 2024 in Elkridge, MD

'Red Devil'
Vigorous but compact, reaching up to 3 inches x 2.5 feet, with thick, luxuriant green leaves up to an inch in length.
The incredibly intense red, tubular flowers are borne late spring through mid-autumn.

* photo taken on June 1 2014 in Columbia, MD

'Sissinghurst'
Vigorous in habit, reaching a maximum size of 19 inches x 3 feet, with healthy green foliage and profuse, bright pink flowers.

'Snow Flurry'
Moderately upright, reaching up to 1 foot in height, with bright green foliage and abundant, pure white flowers borne early summer until autumn frosts.
Even if it winter kills, it often self seeds and returns the following year.

* photos taken on July 13 2011 in Columbia, MD




'Taylortown Red'
Fast growing, reaching a maximum size of 1.6 x 3 feet, with healthy rich, mid-green foliage and abundant, intense red flowers.

* photo of unknown internet source



Verbena hastata ( Blue Vervain )
A perennial, reaching up to 6 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, that is native to swamps and bottomlands in much of North America ( from Vancouver, British Columbia to Vernon, B.C. to far southern Saskatchewan to Winnipeg, Manitoba to Thunder Bay, Ontario to Sault-Ste-Marie, Ontario to Haileybury, Ontario to Nova Scotia; south to northern California to far northern Texas to northern Georgia ). It is most common in the midwest but endangered in Saskatchewan. In the Windsor/Essex County, Ontario region; it was very abundant in the Canard River Valley, Point Pelee, the Lake Erie islands as well as the Ohio shore during the 1800s. It was also common at Detroit, Michigan during the presettlement era.
The sharply-toothed, pointed, lance-shaped leaves, up to 7 x 1 inches in size, are mid-green.
The blue to bluish-purple flowers are borne mid-summer to mid-autumn.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on fertile, moist to wet soil. Clay tolerant. Soak seed in water for 24 hours before sowing. The seed does not require cold stratification.

* photo taken by Jennifer Anderson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

* photo taken on Aug 4 2013 in Bayfield, Ontario

* photos taken on Sep 14 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 1 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 23 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 7 2023 @ Bayfield, ON

'Alba'
White flowers; otherwise identical.

Verbena rigida

* photo taken on May 29 2020 in Elkridge, MD