Verbena rigida Venosa

Verbena rigida Venosa, also known as rough vervain or slender vervain, is a very elegant but not very hardy South American perennial plant, displaying dense spikes of strongly scented mauve to bright violet flowers from early summer to the first frost, on dark green foliage. This plant is a boon for coastal gardens and natural areas of the garden. It brings a lot of natural beauty to perennial beds, in dry soil and full sun.

The Verbena rigida Venosa belongs to the Verbenaceae family. It is a perennial with fleshy roots native to Brazil. It has an upright and dense tufted habit, weakly spreading and well-branched. This plant, which has rapid growth, reaches 45 cm (17.7 in) in height and 25 cm (9.8 in) in width within one year of cultivation. Its stems and leaves are rough and glandular, with shaggy hairs. The foliage is evergreen to semi-evergreen depending on the climate, dark green, with rigid and lanceolate leaves measuring 10 cm (3.9 in) in length and 2.5 cm (1 in) in width. Flowering takes place from June to October-November, only interrupted by the first frost. The tiny violet tubular corolla flowers are gathered in corymbs, with the heart appearing darker, at the end of branched stems. They emit a pleasant fragrance that attracts pollinating insects and turn brown when fading. If the climate is mild this plant spreads through its rhizomes, eventually forming beautiful and imposing tufts.

Originating from Brazil, this perennial is frost-sensitive; it does not tolerate severe cold and is often cultivated as an annual due to its rapid growth. However, in practice, it can withstand moderately cold winters in perfectly drained soil, similar to Dahlias. Verbena Venosa is a remarkable plant in the garden: plant in sunny positions and it will make a bright and airy subject in beds and borders. Planting in containers is perfectly possible and will give volume to compositions. Use a universal, loose, lightweight, well-draining, and not too rich substrate for hanging baskets or flower pots. Rough vervain is very undemanding and withstands drought very well.

Recommendation: combine with annuals such as Damask nigella, Phacelia with tansy leaves, or Khella, in large beds.