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Verbena Purpletop Vervain

SKU: F1388.pkt

Verbena Purpletop Vervain is a tall, tender perennial grown for its clusters of small violet-purple flow...

Verbena Purpletop Vervain is a tall, tender perennial grown for its clusters of small violet-purple flowers, held high on slender, wiry stems that seem to float above everything else in the border. It's an architectural plant rather than a bold splash of colour, and that's exactly its appeal: the see-through habit lets you plant it right through the middle of a border without blocking the view of what's behind it, adding height and movement without any visual weight.

Bees and butterflies find it just as appealing as gardeners do, and a well-placed clump in flower through summer and autumn tends to become one of the busiest spots in the garden. The long wiry stems also make excellent cut flowers, fresh or dried, so a patch grown for the border can just as easily supply a vase indoors. It suits cottage gardens and wildflower plantings as readily as it does a more contemporary perennial border, which is part of why it's turned up in so many different garden styles over the years.

One thing worth knowing before you sow: Verbena bonariensis seed has a naturally variable germination pattern. Sown straight into warm spring conditions, only a modest portion of the seed tends to come up within the usual few weeks, while the rest of the seed stays dormant, waiting for a spell of cold before it's ready to grow. This isn't a flaw in the seed, it's simply how the species behaves in the wild, where seed shed in autumn spends winter in the cold ground before germinating the following spring. Giving your seed a similar cold spell before sowing is the easiest way to get more of your packet growing rather than leaving good seed sitting dormant in the soil.

Once established, Verbena bonariensis is a genuinely easy, drought-tolerant perennial that copes well with a New Zealand summer, and in the right spot it will often self-seed, giving you a few volunteer plants to move around the garden in following seasons.

Sowing Verbena Purpletop Vervain

Sow from October through to February, ideally into trays or pots for transplanting. Because a large share of the seed is naturally dormant until it's experienced cold, cold stratifying the seed before sowing is recommended for the best overall germination, particularly if you're sowing in spring rather than autumn, or gardening somewhere that doesn't get much frost. To do this, sow the seed onto the surface of damp seed raising mix with only the lightest covering if any, since it appreciates some light to germinate, then keep it in a cold spot for around four weeks before moving it somewhere warm. You can also place the seed packet in the fridge. After stratifying, aim for a soil temperature of 20–25°C, and expect germination over 14–28 days, sometimes longer for the later seed to come through. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them out into a full sun position, spacing plants 30–45cm apart. These are also suitable for container growing.

Caring for Verbena Purpletop Vervain

Verbena bonariensis is low maintenance once it's settled in. It's drought tolerant once established, so established plants need little more than the occasional deep watering through summer. Because the plant grows tall on wiry stems, a position with a little shelter from strong wind will keep it standing more upright, though many gardeners enjoy the way it sways and self-supports among other planting. These plants can also be staked.

Using Verbena Purpletop Vervain

Plants come into flower from mid-summer through to autumn, reaching 120 to 150cm in height. The long cut and come again stems are ideal for cutting, whether for fresh arrangements or for drying, and picking regularly tends to encourage more flowers. Left to flower on in the garden, established clumps will often self-seed, so don't be surprised to find new seedlings appearing nearby the following season.

NZ $3.00 NZ $5.00

cut-flower

border

bee-friendly

Botanical Name

Verbena bonariensis

Lifecycle

Perennial

Sowing Time

October - February

Preferred Site

Full Sun

Preferred Growing Method

Transplant

Soil Temperature for Optimum Germination

20-25°C

Days to Germination

14-28

Days to Maturity

60-90 days from transplant

Plant Height

120 - 150cm

Seed per gram (Approximately)

4200

Germination

65% 04/25

Sowing Time

Sowing time refers to the optimum time for sowing seed of a variety to encourage strong and vigorous growth. Whilst some varieties may be able to be sown outside the range suggested, they will generally perform best when sown in the approximate seasonal ranges provided.

A lot of seeds need consistent warmth to help them germinate. The best way to achieve this is to sow at the right time. By sowing in season when the conditions are optimum for seed germination you are increasing your chances of success. Slight bottom heat, approximately 20°C, can speed germination of many varieties.

To reference the best sowing times for a variety, we use sow numbers as detailed here:

Early Spring
Late Spring & Early Summer
Late Summer & Early Autumn

Growing Method

TRANSPLANT

Containers: Seeds can be sown in pretty much any container, tray or pot. Ensure the container has drainage holes in the bottom.
Mix Preparation: Use a good quality, seed raising mix and fill the container to within 2cm from the rim. Always use a commercially formulated seed raising mix to ensure sterility of the growing medium which will prevent possible infection of your seedlings. Use the palm of your hand to press down on the mix to create a firm surface.
Sowing: Sow seed evenly providing some space between seeds. Lightly cover the seed with seed raising mix, a sieve may be useful. Depth should be no more than twice the diameter of the seed. In the case of very fine seed no covering is needed. Use the palm of your hand to press down on the mix to create a firm surface.
Watering: Water the tray either by a watering can or hose using a very fine spray or place the tray into a tray of water and leave to soak until the surface appears glossy.
Environment: A piece of glass with a few thicknesses of paper on top may be placed over the container to prevent the mix surface from drying out. Turn glass daily so that the dry side is downwards. Cling film or recycled clear plastic meat trays can also be used. Check daily for signs of germination and remove covering as soon as seedlings appear, exposing the tender plants gradually to the full sunlight.
Seedling Growth: If growing on a window sill, turn the container every day to maintain an even growth and to keep the seedlings from stretching towards the light. When large enough to handle, transplant seedlings into a suitable container approximately 4cm apart. Harden off plants gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions before planting in their final growing location.
Moisture Management: Keep trays moist but not drenched to ensure germination and rapid growth. Overhead watering can be used initially but once seeds germinate and a leaf canopy establishes it is best to water from below by soaking the trays in water to avoid the development of diseases. When watering overhead, water earlier in the day to prevent having wet leaves overnight when the conditions are not as suitable for drying. The mix within the tray should appear dark and not brown to indicate appropriate moisture levels.

Annual

A plant that completes its entire life cycle (germinates, grows a plant, flowers, produces seed, dies) in one season. It may self-sow, thereby giving the impression of being perennial. Most annuals will flower 60 to 75 days from sowing.

Hardy Annual

An annual that does not need to be germinated indoors but can be sown direct into its growing position in the garden in spring and is tolerant of frost.

Tender Annual

An annual that is frost tender and can be germinated indoors. Sowing direct or planting outdoors must not occur until all danger of frost has passed (also known as a Half-Hardy Annual).

Biennial
A plant that completes its entire life cycle in two years - growing in the first, reproducing and dying in the second. Typically, but not always, producing flowers only in the second year.

Perennial

A plant that can live for more than two years, surviving the winter and flowering each year from the second season. Perennials may flower within 90 days of sowing in their first season but will more typically flower in their second season.

Hardy Perennial

A perennial that is frost tolerant.

Tender Perennial

A perennial that is frost tender.

Hardy

A plant that will survive frost.

Tender

A plant that will not survive frost.

Bolting

Going to seed. Premature formation of a seed stalk, may be due to plant stress.

Botanical Name

The formal scientific name conforming to the International Code of Nomenclature for plants. Identifies the genus and species to which the plant belongs useful in distinguishing plants uniquely.

Cotyledon

The seed leaves or first leaves that emerge from a germinated seed, different in form from the later true leaves.

True Leaves

The leaves that emerge after the cotyledons which are indicative of the true form
of the plant’s leaves.

Determinate

Growth stopped by development of terminal flower buds. A dwarf/bush variety which sets fruit in a concentrated period.

Indeterminate

Growth continuing indefinitely when leaf buds form at the tip of the growth. These varieties need to be staked and continue to set fruit until frost.

Heirloom

A variety that is older than two generations (50 years). Can also be referred to as “Heritage” and is always an open pollinated variety selected for garden performance (flavour, long harvest).

Hybrid

A plant resulting from a cross between two parent plants to give a genetically superior plant i.e. improved disease resistance, better vigour, more uniform harvest. Normally, seed saved from hybrids does not grow true to type.

F1 - The first generation of such a cross. Denoted in the name of the variety.

F2 - The second generation of such a cross etc.

Open Pollinated

Natural cross between plants of the same variety. Refers to non-hybrid seeds or plants.

Scarification

The practice of scratching, sanding, notching or nicking the seed coat to assist germination. Used for seed of species that have very hard seed coats.

Stratification

The process of chilling seeds to promote germination by breaking dormancy. Can be artificially carried out by placing seed in your fridge. Follow specific instructions online for the period of chilling time.

Surface Sow

Seed that requires light to germinate. Sow seed on the surface. Press down into the soil. Keep moist.

Germination

Seed germination is the process by which a seed sprouts and begins to grow into a plant. It involves rehydrating the seed, activation of metabolic processes and the emergence of a young seedling from the seed coat. This process is triggered by factors like temperature, water and in some cases light.

Viability

The ability of seeds to germinate.

Vigour

The speed and the strength of the plant to establish well.

Delivery

Courier delivery by NZ Post.

Delivery available only to valid New Zealand
addresses.

The appropriate delivery charge will be applied at checkout.

Delivery charges are subject to change without notice.

You can track the status of your shipment via the link provided in your order confirmation email or by logging into your account online.

Click n Collect

Seed can only be collected from our warehouse at 189 Wharawhara Rd, Katikati.

Select Click n Collect at the checkout.

Click n Collect does not apply for collection at any Kings Seeds stockists nationwide.

Returns

Seed or Products can only be returned with authorisation from Kings Seeds.

Any request for the return of Seed or Products must be made within 14 days of delivery to info@kingsseeds.co.nz

Returned Seed or Products will only be accepted if unopened and in the same condition as when supplied and a record of your purchase can be found.

The Customer shall pay all costs in relation to return of the Seed or Products unless it is deemed a warranty issue.

Please see our Terms & Conditions of Sale for further information on our Returns Policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why hasn't all my Verbena bonariensis seed germinated?

This is normal for the species. A portion of the seed will germinate readily in warm spring conditions, but a large share is naturally dormant and needs a period of cold before it will sprout, mimicking the winter it would normally experience in the ground. Cold stratifying your seed in the fridge for around four weeks before sowing will bring on a much higher proportion of your packet.

How do I cold stratify Verbena bonariensis seed?

Pop seed packet in the fridge for upto 4 weeks. You can also sow the seed onto the surface of damp seed raising mix, cover only lightly (if any) since it benefits from some light to germinate, then place it in the fridge or another consistently cold spot for around four weeks. After that, move it somewhere warm at 20–25°C to germinate.

When should I sow Verbena Purpletop Vervain in New Zealand?

Sow from October through to February, ideally with a period of cold stratification beforehand for the best germination. Germination itself takes 14–28 days once conditions are warm.

How tall does Verbena bonariensis grow?

Plants reach 120 to 150cm in height on slender, wiry stems, giving an airy, see-through effect that works well planted through the middle or back of a border.

Is Verbena Purpletop Vervain good for bees and butterflies?

Yes, the flower clusters are a strong draw for both, making it a popular choice for pollinator-friendly borders and cottage gardens.

Will Verbena bonariensis come back every year?

It's a tender perennial, so in mild areas established plants can persist and flower again, while in colder areas it often behaves more like an annual. Either way, it will often self-seed in a spot it likes, giving you new plants the following season.