Verbena rigida
This low, rhizomatous species from South America thrives in hot, sunny sites with sharp drainage. It carries dense clusters of bright purple to magenta flowers from summer into fall. Leaves feel rough like sandpaper, which explains a common name. Plants spread into clumps yet stay about 12 to 24 inches tall. It tolerates heat and drought once established and dislikes winter-wet soil. Grow it as a perennial in warm regions or as an annual where winters are cold. Bees and butterflies visit the blooms regularly.
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: species (slender vervain)
- Height × spread: 12-24 in × 12-18 in (30-60 cm × 30-45 cm)
- Bloom window: summer to fall
- Color & flower form: bright purple to magenta clusters on stiff spikes
- Fragrance: 1 trace
- USDA hardiness: zones 7-10; perennial in warm climates, annual elsewhere
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown / n/a / native to South America
- Pet safety: unknown / varies by climate
How it differs
- Lower, clumping groundcover compared with trailing bedding verbena.
- Spreads by rhizomes rather than long, sprawling stems.
- Flowers peak in mid to late summer instead of spring.
- Leaves are rough; stems stand stiff and upright.
Strengths
- Handles heat and drought once established.
- Long summer-into-fall bloom.
- Good groundcover effect without excessive height.
- Attractive to pollinators; often deer-resistant.
Care in one minute
- Provide full sun and well-drained sandy or loamy soil.
- Water to establish; sparing water later except in prolonged drought.
- Feed lightly in spring; excessive fertilizer reduces flowering.
- Deadhead to keep plants in flower and tidy.
- Mulch crowns in zone 7; avoid soggy sites in winter.
Watch‑outs
- Needs excellent drainage; declines in wet winter soils.
- Can spread into colonies in ideal conditions.
- Short-lived in cold, wet climates.
Best uses (tags)
borders, groundcover, edging, containers, pollinators
Provenance note
Native to South America and often listed as *Glandularia rigida* in modern references. It has naturalized in parts of the southeastern United States.
References
- NC State Extension Plant Toolbox – Verbena rigida
- Royal Horticultural Society – Verbena rigida
- World Flora Online – Verbena rigida Spreng.
Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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