Verbena bonariensis ‘Vanity’ | Purple Vervain | Compact and Fragrant

Verbena bonariensis ‘Vanity’ is a compact and elegant form of the much-loved Purple Vervain, offering all the charm of the classic species in a shorter, sturdier, and more garden-friendly plant. Growing to around 60–80 cm, it is significantly more compact than the traditional Verbena bonariensis, making it perfect for smaller gardens, borders, and containers.

This beautiful variety produces airy clusters of intense purple-blue flowers held above fine, delicate foliage. The colour is often richer and deeper than the standard species, creating a striking effect in garden plantings. ‘Vanity’ also retains the light fragrance that makes verbena so appealing, especially during early mornings and summer evenings.

Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, this pollinator-friendly plant brings life and movement to the garden throughout its long flowering season.

Although technically a hardy perennial, ‘Vanity’ can also be grown as an annual, flowering in its first year if sown early.

Plant Details

Botanical name: Verbena bonariensis ‘Vanity’
Family: Verbenaceae
Plant type: First-year flowering perennial (often grown as an annual)
Height: 60–80 cm (25–31 in)
Position: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained soil
Flowering period: June – October
Flower colour: Purple / Lavender
Use: Borders • Containers • Landscape plantings • Cut flowers • Cottage gardens

Why Grow Verbena ‘Vanity’

• Compact variety of the classic Purple Vervain
• Beautiful intense purple-blue flower clusters
• Fragrant flowers, especially mornings and evenings
• Perfect for smaller gardens and containers
• Excellent pollinator plant for bees and butterflies
• Long flowering season from early summer to autumn
• Suitable for cut flowers and naturalistic planting

Sowing Instructions

Indoor Sowing

Sow seeds February – April.

• Sow seeds in moist, well-drained seed compost.
• Cover lightly with vermiculite.
• Ideal germination temperature: 20–22°C.
• Germination improves if night temperatures drop to 15–18°C.
• Keep soil moist but not waterlogged.
• Germination may be irregular. If no germination occurs after two weeks, reduce daytime temperatures to 10–15°C for 7 days, then return to 20–22°C.
• Transplant seedlings into 12 cm pots when large enough to handle.

Harden off and plant outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.

Plant spacing: approx. 60 cm

Direct Sowing Outdoors

Seeds can also be sown directly outdoors from April to June after the last frost.

Growing Tips

• Plant in full sun for best flowering.
• Prefers well-drained soil.
• Water deeply but avoid overly humid conditions.
• Best effect when planted in groups or drifts.
• Pinching is possible but not necessary.

Cultivation

• If sown early, plants flower in the first year.
• Cut flowers regularly to encourage more blooms.
• Remove faded flowers if you want to prevent self-seeding.
• In perennial plantings, cut back in spring once new shoots appear.

Perfect For

Borders and naturalistic plantings – light, airy structure
Containers – compact habit suitable for pots
Cut flower gardens – delicate stems for bouquets
Pollinator gardens – attracts bees and butterflies