Verbena bonariensis commonly known as - purple top – and sometimes as Argentinean vervain , South American vervain , tall verbena , purpletop vervain, or purpletop verbena.

It is a very easy to grow tall clump-forming perennial.
It has a few leaves spaced out on wiry, branching stems topped with large branched clusters of small, lilac – purple scented flowers from summer to autumn - is widely grown in English Gardens.

Grow Purple Top in a sunny spot with moist but well drained soil.
In the winter it benefits from a good mulch to protect it from the cold and frost.
If you have very cold winters then take some root cuttings and over winter them in a frost free place. Divide big clumps in the spring.

Verbena bonariensis can grow to 6ft (1.8m) high with a spread of 18in (45cm). It can also be grown in containers but remember to provide good drainage, water well and place in a sunny spot.

Verbena will self – seed if it likes your garden and the flowers can be used for cutting and drying. Butterflies love the plant with its delicate phlox-like scent.

Purple top has many uses in an English Garden because of its tall, see-through growth it goes well with many flowers.
In this English Garden photo it is used to set off the pinky-red dahlias beside a path. In fact all dahlias go well with it as do the pinky shades of phloxes. Purple Top can be used at the front or the middle of a border – and is often planted with roses its delicate flowers perfectly setting off the heavy perfumed blooms.

Enjoy your garden