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The garden is all a-flutter this time of year with many small moths and butterflies, including the Cabbage White Butterfly which seems to have a definite preference for Verbena Bonariensis.
And who wouldn't? It is a lovely plant, with it's stiff, widely branched stems and open, airy look. This native of Brazil and Argentina grows to 3-6 ft., flowers all summer until frost, and re-seeds readily. The 'see-through' quality of Verbena Bonariensis makes it a great weaver in the Cottage garden, and a good choice for the front or middle mixed border. Although it is said to be a Zone 7 perennial, it came back for me this year in my Zone 6 garden....where it was heartily welcomed. It also winter sows very well.
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Tip: Pinch out the first few shoots of Verbena Bonariensis in spring to encourage branching. The more you cut it back, the more shrub like it will become.
13 comments:
One of my all time favorite perennials! I've had it in my garden for years. It was self sown here originally by a bird I think. :)
Fantastic photo! My stick verbena "mother plants" are a nice bushy 1 foot high, while the "kids" are tall and spindly! Love it. It fits in anywhere with the form factor and the color. I've got a lot of it clustered in my butterfly garden and am starting to move seedlings to other gardens.
Lovely, absolutely lovely!
lovely photograph...
You have captured the perfect pair ... a most lovely post!
I like those cabbage white butterflies. I haven't seen many this year. Great photo!
I do not pinch back my shrubs in the spring the way I should. Some of them are looking a little spindly. I wish a white cabbage would come visit me. I have never seen one in person.
Oh, so that is what that tall stuff I have been seeing is!
We are seeing cabbage whites lately, alsl sulphers, but that is about all, as far as butterflies go.
I love butterflies :)
Lovley photo :)
Connie, I really want some verbena bonariensis. I see it growing in a few of the empty lots in my neighborhood, and I am thinking about grabbing some. How would I transplant it? Or should I just gather some of the seed? I am in zone 8.
Lisa - You could try digging up a clump and transplanting it, since it is hardy in your zone, but I think your best bet would be seeds. Since it is a self sower, now would be a good time to gather the seeds and sow them where you want them next season. Good luck!
A beautiful photo, Connie. Love the butterfly and the verbena... they do make a lovely pair.
Meems @Hoe&Shovel
That's too cool. In my garden I can't get those white butterflies to pay attention to plants that I actually plant. They only come around and land on the weeds I let grow.
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