One of my very favourite garden flowers is Verbena bonariensis and today’s blog post features some images of it growing at RHS Wisley in Surrey.
I’ve seen it appear in show gardens at RHS shows including the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show this year. It was in Coastal Drift in the Summer Gardens category.
And I captured it last year on a visit to Kew Gardens.
First and foremost, I’m a big fan of all shades of purple, so I love its blooms of little lilac florets. But what I also really like is its structure and how it towers above all the other plants in the flower bed.
And that’s why I’ve introduced it into our garden this year.
Here are some more images…
What are your favourite garden flowers?
(Images : Rona Wheeldon for Flowerona)
caroline @trend-daily says
August 21, 2012 at 11:21 pmWow that first shot is absolutely beautiful Rona! I don’t know why, but I’ve always thought of them as cheap fillers in supermarket bouquets-I’m obviously shopping in the wrong places after seeing these pictures! 🙂 Caroline
Ann says
August 22, 2012 at 3:21 amCaroline, I’ve seen ‘verbena bonariensis’ in gardens or landscapes in Texas over the past 15 years or so. There is a different purple flower often used as fillers in the US called purple statice [stat’-is], which can be saved from bouquets and dried. Here’s a picture of purple statice, I think it’s the one you mentioned:
http://www.fiftyflowers.com/product/Tissue-Culture-Statice-Purple-Flower_71.htm
Rona, your blog inspires me daily, thank you for sharing your finds with us! I love all things “flower”.
Ann
Dragonfly says
August 22, 2012 at 5:05 amWow! Beautiful images of one of my favourite flowers. I’ve yet to be successful at getting them to grow in drifts in my garden.
My favourite flowers (if I have to narrow it down, which is difficult!) are dahlias and tulips.
Abilena says
August 28, 2012 at 5:52 amPurple flowers are always my favorite flower and that looks very attractive. The blossom of the Verbena bonariensis is mind blowing! Moreover i have purple flowers in my garden.
Mrs M says
September 27, 2012 at 10:09 pmHi Rona,
I have three in my garden which I purchased as small plants in May. There now about 1.5m high. Flowers are fadeding now . I’m a garden novice. I’m tiding up this weekend. Do I just let it die off or chop it too the ground ?
Rona says
September 28, 2012 at 7:44 pmHi Mrs M
It’s generally best to leave the stalks for now and cut back the old growth when you see the new shoots emerging at the base in mid-spring. Also it’s a good idea to mulch around the base of the plant to help protect the plant during the winter.
Hope this helps…
Very best wishes
Rona