Which verbena stays compact?

Verbena bonariensis, also known as verbena or stiff verbena, is a beautiful, long-blooming butterfly plant with purple-pink flowers on sturdy, tall stems. Some people think the stems are too tall… It’s true, of course, that Verbena’s striking flowers can tower (far) above the other plants in the border. If you don’t like that look but still appreciate this plant and its flowers, fortunately there’s also a low-growing variety of Verbena.

Which types of scabious grow to a shorter height?

Verbena bonariensis ‘Lollipop’ stays shorter than bonariensis. This compact Verbena ‘Lollipop’ grows to about 70 cm. That’s significantly shorter, since verbena can normally grow up to 180 cm tall. Otherwise, the (long) blooming period is the same, and ‘Lollipop’ also has the same square stems.

Verbena rigida is also a low-growing Verbena (70–100 cm) and looks a bit like Verbena bonariensis. However, Verbena rigida is much less hardy. But Verbena ‘Lollipop’ and Verbena bonariensis aren’t fully hardy either. Fortunately, they always self-seed profusely, so you’re unlikely to lose them from your garden anytime soon.

See also: Is verbena hardy?

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