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Verbena bonariensis (Purple Top) - A perennial plant with an open, tall form to 4-6 feet tall. It has dark green toothed leaves along thin square scabrous (rough textured) stems and at the tips of these stems are rounded 2- to 3-inch-wide clusters of pinkish-purple buds that open to display pink flowers that later fade nearly to white over a long period from spring to fall.
Plant in full sun (best) or in partial shade. Tolerates heat and dry conditions but also more regular irrigation and is perennial in USDA Zones 7 to 10 and useful as a long blooming annual in colder climates.
Verbena bonariensis is native to Brazil and Argentina though has escaped cultivation and is naturalized on disturbed sites in California and the southeastern US. The name for the genus comes from the Latin word for sacred boughs of plants made up of olive, myrtle and other plants (possibly Vebena) and the specific epithet was given to this plant by Linnaeus in reference to the city of Buenos Aires (named for Our Lady of Bonaria, patroness of Cagliari), where this plant was reportedly discovered in 1726. We have grown this useful and attractive plant since 1989.
This information about Verbena bonariensis displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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