Brazilian Verbena (Verbena bonariensis) This 4 to 5 foot tall species is sometimes called “verbena on a stick.” Clusters of tiny lavender flowers appear above the tall, thin square stems in late spring and continue to bloom throughout the summer into fall. It is an excellent blender plant to fill in gaps in the flower border, and will not crowd other plants because of its airy habit. Brazilian verbena is a short-lived perennial, but readily self-sows. It is drought tolerant.

Trailing Verbena (Verbena canadensis) Trailing verbena is a native perennial throughout South Carolina. The plants have a low spreading form and will flower profusely all summer. Creeping stems often root into the soil or mulch. Plants are tolerant of heat and drought, although best growth will occur with plenty of water and fertilizer. Like most verbenas, they need excellent soil drainage. There are numerous cultivars available. Many are trailing verbenas are hybrids of V. canadensis with other species.

* ‘Homestead Purple’ is one of the most popular trailing verbenas. It is a vigorous plant with large dark purple flower clusters. ‘Homestead Purple’ has excellent heat tolerance, deep green foliage and is a profuse bloomer from early spring until fall frost. Plants grow up to 3 feet wide and 1 foot tall. Discovered growing on an old Georgia homestead.
* ‘Summer Blaze’ has cherry red flower clusters from late spring through frost.
* ‘Abbeville’ is a vigorous variety with light lavender flowers, originally discovered growing near Abbeville, SC.
* ‘Blue Princess’ has large, fragrant, blue-purple flower heads.
* ‘Appleblossom’ is a vigorous, long-flowering verbena with large flowers of cotton candy-pink with a contrasting white eye.
* ‘Greystone Daphne’ is one of the hardiest varieties of verbena, with fragrant pinkish lavender flowers. Begins flowering in very early spring, and continues until frost.
* ‘Silver Anne’ has warm pink flowers on vigorous plants. Sometimes incorrectly sold as ‘Homestead Pink.’
* ‘Taylortown Red’ is a vigorous, heavy blooming red flowered cultivar.
* ‘Snowflurry’ is more upright than other trailing verbenas. It is a very strong plant, covered with white flowers.

Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) This tall native species resembles V. bonariensis, but is much more tolerant of cold and moist soil, and the flowers are more blue-violet in color. It is commonly seen growing wild along roadsides throughout South Carolina. Under garden conditions it appears neater than in the wild. Plants can vary from 4 to 6 feet tall or more, but can be trimmed back mid-summer if a shorter plant is desired. Some varieties have been selected for larger flowers and deeper blue flower color.

Rigid Verbena (Verbena rigida) This South American verbena forms spreading patches of brilliant purple. It is widely naturalized along roadsides throughout South Carolina. It spreads by long white rhizomes (underground stems) which spread out in all directions and form dense colonies. Because of this growth habit, it forms a very effective groundcover. Rigid Verbena is hardy and drought resistant. Mowing makes it put on new blooms, so is a common selection for highway plantings.

* ‘Polaris’ is a silvery lavender flowered variety.

Moss Verbena (Verbena tenuisecta) Native to South America, but naturalized throughout the southern United States, moss verbena is so well adapted as to be commonly believed to be native. It is generally hardy in the lower parts of South Carolina, and often survives mild winters in the Upstate. Moss verbena has finely cut leaves and a very low growing habit, explaining its common name. Many of the cultivars are hybrids with other species.

* Tapien Series includes a range of colors, including lavender, salmon, soft pink, pink, blue-violet, powder blue, and pure white. All have fine, lacy foliage and small flowers that cover the plant from early summer until the first frost. They are usually hardy in the lower parts of South Carolina, but are usually treated as annuals and replanted every spring. The Tapien series is resistant to powdery mildew.
* ‘Edith’ Fragrant lavender-pink flowers cover a compact, long flowering plant.
* ‘Imagination’ is a well known purple variety that is very similar to the wild species.
* ‘Sissinghurst’ is a prolific bloomer with coral pink flowers from early spring until frost. The narrow cutleaf foliage spreads rapidly to make a 3-4′ mound in one season.

Annual Verbena (Verbena x hybrida) Annual verbena is a relatively common garden bedding plant. Most varieties will decline once summer heat increases. Perennial type verbenas will perform better in South Carolina, and will bloom quickly the first season of planting.