Verbena regida Purple

Overview and Key Features

Verbena rigida 'Purple' is a hardy, low-growing perennial known for its vibrant purple flowers, spreading habit, and long flowering season. Native to South America, this variety is a compact cousin of the popular Verbena bonariensis, offering a more ground-covering presence while still attracting bees and butterflies in abundance.

It’s particularly valued for sunny borders, pollinator gardens, containers, and coastal or Mediterranean-style planting schemes. With proper care and winter protection in colder regions, it returns reliably each year.

• Height: 30–45 cm

• Spread: 40–60 cm

• Flower colour: Bright purple-mauve

• Foliage: Deep green, lance-shaped, with a slightly rough texture

• Flowering period: June to October

• Habit: Upright, spreading, clump-forming

• Type: Herbaceous perennial (often grown as half-hardy or short-lived)

• Wildlife value: Excellent for bees, butterflies, and hoverflies

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Planting and Site Requirements

Verbena rigida thrives in warm, sunny positions and tolerates dry soils once established.

Light

• Requires full sun for best flowering and compact form

• Avoid shady sites – it will become leggy and flower poorly

Soil

• Prefers well-drained soil, including sandy or gritty compositions

• Will tolerate poor to moderately fertile soils

• Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged areas, especially in winter

Planting Tips

• Plant in spring or early summer after frosts have passed

• Enrich planting area with organic compost or grit for better drainage

• Space plants around 30–40 cm apart to allow good airflow

• Great for containers, front-of-border planting, and mass displays

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Watering, Feeding, and Seasonal Care

Verbena rigida is easy to maintain and drought-tolerant, making it perfect for low-maintenance gardens.

Watering

• Water regularly until established

• Once mature, water only during prolonged dry periods

• Avoid overwatering, especially in containers

Feeding

• Apply a slow-release fertiliser in spring

• For more abundant flowering, feed with a potassium-rich liquid fertiliser (e.g., tomato feed) monthly during peak growing season

Deadheading and Pruning

• Deadhead regularly to encourage repeat flowering

• Cut back untidy or faded stems midsummer to stimulate new growth

• In late autumn, cut back spent flower heads if frost is expected, or leave them for wildlife interest and winter texture

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Seasonal Maintenance and Overwintering

In milder areas (e.g., southern UK or coastal Ireland), Verbena rigida can behave as a hardy perennial, especially with a mulch. In colder zones, treat it as half-hardy and protect accordingly.

• Mulch around the base in autumn to insulate roots

• In very cold areas, consider lifting and storing root clumps in frost-free locations (similar to dahlias)

• Alternatively, treat as an annual and replant each spring

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Garden Design and Companion Planting

Thanks to its colour and texture, Verbena rigida 'Purple' is highly versatile in mixed planting schemes.

Best Uses

• Front of borders or gravel gardens

• Pollinator-friendly plantings

• Containers and raised beds

• Low edging in sunny pathways or cottage gardens

• Works beautifully in prairie-style plantings

Companion Plants

• Complements silver-foliage plants like Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ear)

• Pairs well with Salvia, Gaura, Rudbeckia, Achillea, Coreopsis, and Echinacea

• Great alongside ornamental grasses such as Pennisetum and Stipa tenuissima

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Pest Resistance and Wildlife Appeal

• Pests: Generally pest- and disease-free

• Wildlife Value: Outstanding – flowers are rich in nectar and provide food for bees, butterflies, and hoverflies

• May self-seed lightly in warmer regions

Standard Delivery per parcel*	€7.95
* parcels up to 30kg or within dimensions volume
* free delivery over €250 on standard items (excludes large/bulky items)
* multiple purchases qualify for combined delivery
For large items please ring us on 069-64084 to discuss delivery.

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

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