Verbena rigida aka Veined Verbena

Taxonomy

Verbena rigida, also known as slender vervain or tuberous vervain, is a flowering herbaceous perennial plant in the family Verbenaceae. Native to Brazil and Argentina, it is not fully hardy in temperate climates and is often grown from seed as an annual. This small, bushy, spreading plant grows up to 30cm tall and features oblong leaves and dense clusters of small, purple flowers that bloom from early summer to autumn. With a spreading habit and stalkless toothed leaves, Verbena rigida adds a vibrant touch to gardens with its bright purple or magenta, scented flowers held on branched stalks. It has gained recognition from the Royal Horticultural Society, receiving the Award of Garden Merit. This low-growing perennial species is a popular choice for sunny gravel gardens and wildlife gardens, as it not only produces an abundance of punchy purple flowers but also self-seeds, ensuring its presence year after year.

Common names

Veined Verbena, Slender Vervain, Wild Verbena

How to care for Veined Verbena

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Veined Verbena is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

Veined Verbena should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Veined Verbena loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Veined Verbena requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Slender Vervain is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.

Fertilizer

The Veined Verbena should be repotted when it has doubled in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing fresh potting soil with all the essential nutrients each year ensures the plant's well-being, eliminating the need for fertilizer. Remember, plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the Veined Verbena as it grows vertically.


More info:
Wikipedia