Verbena bonariensis 2L

A tall, airy perennial with a distinctive see-through quality that makes it one of the most versatile plants for the border. Slender, wiry, branching stems rise well above the surrounding planting, topped from summer through to autumn with tightly packed clusters of small lilac-purple flowers. Its sparse foliage means it never blocks the view, making it ideal for the middle or back of a border where its flowers appear to float above lower-growing neighbours. Reaching up to 2m in height with a spread of around 40-50cm, it's a superb butterfly plant and a vital late-season nectar source for pollinators.

Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. It's a reliable self-seeder, often naturalising to form generous drifts over a couple of seasons, and looks particularly effective planted through ornamental grasses in prairie-style schemes. Leave old flower stems standing over winter for structure and wildlife interest, cutting back before new growth begins in spring. In colder areas, a dry mulch over the root zone will help protect it through winter.

Each plant is hand-selected for healthy, vigorous growth before it leaves us.