Verbena
Verbena

Verbena bonariensis is a stalwart of the garden—a tough, reliable plant that’s also graceful. Whether planted en masse for a hedge-like effect or dotted throughout the garden, its light, airy form and arching stems reach 5–7 feet tall, bringing a sense of movement and elegance to any landscape (you can also pinch it in the spring to create a more compact plant). The small purple blooms feature an ultraviolet pop that attracts bees, flies, and monarch butterflies, making it a pollinator favorite. Its vigorous branching habit produces an abundance of stems, and with very few leaves to strip, it’s great for cutting. A perennial in milder climates, this drought-tolerant plant requires minimal care.