Description

Verbena is a roughly hairy, slender perennial with a woody stalk and several stiffly erect stems. Flowering occurs from early July to late September with the small but attractive blue flowers arranged in elongated, slender terminal spikes.

Habitat Information

Verbena is a perennial found on freely-draining, often calcareous soils. It is most frequent in rough grassland, roadsides and scrub but can also be found on coastal cliffs, rocky outcrops and woodland borders.

It is native to south east Europe and Asia but has a long history on these islands being introduced either deliberately or accidentally in Neolithic times. Verbena was widely cultivated in medieval gardens as it was highly prized as a medicinal herb.

Growing Information

Can be sown at any time of the year.