Native to South and North America, verbena perennials thrive in heat and sun. With a sometimes dazzlingly colorful bloom that lasts from late spring to early fall, these flowers both mound and trail. Whether in containers or garden borders, the blooms attract both hummingbirds and butterflies.

Verbenas are superb ground covers. With their extremely long growth season and tolerance for poor soil and exposed locations, the trail variety maintains a low spreading habit that chokes out weeds. If verbena perennials have one drawback, and they are fundamentally trouble free, it is that they are sometimes susceptible to pests. Mildew may appear if the conditions are too shady and too moist. Improper watering can also lead to spider mites, which, if not treated, will kill the plant (any plant).

Varieties of Verbena Perennials

One particularly hardy but glamorous verbena, the bush Sissinghurst (Verbena tenera), produces deep rose-pink blooms that almost cover its foliage. The trailer Babylon Neon Rose is an especially early bloomer and one of most mildew resistant verbena perennials. Mature it stands about six to 10 inches.

Purpletop verbena (V. bonariensis) are native to the Argentine and Brazil, but has become naturalized in the southern United States. Drought resistant and leggy, with tight clumps of lavender blooms, it is best planted in masses. Moss verbena (), also native to South America and also naturalized across the southern third of the United States, is a low sprawling perennial with tiny purple flowers appearing in clusters.