Native Plant Alternatives to Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena)

Verbena bonariensis, also known as Tall Verbena or Purpletop Vervain, is native to tropical South America. This perennial plant is renowned for its tall, slender stems reaching up to 4 feet, adorned with clusters of small, lavender to violet flowers. It blooms from summer until frost, offering a prolonged splash of color. The airy structure of the plant and its height make it a unique addition to any garden, providing a see-through effect and enabling it to mix well with other plants. This sun-loving species attracts a host of pollinators, including butterflies and bees, contributing to its popularity among gardeners.

Tall Verbena is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States. It has escaped cultivation and become naturalized in disturbed areas across the southeastern United States and California.

According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species and 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. They displace and alter native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and potentially lead to increased soil erosion.

The federal government has estimated that nearly 25 percent of the 20,000 plant species native to North America are at risk of extinction, many of these through habitat loss. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.

A plant is considered native if it occurs naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. There are many benefits to growing native plants. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture, and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. They need fewer fertilizers and pesticides or use less water. Second, they are unlikely to escape and become invasive, destroying natural habitats. Third, they support wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and insects, while exotic plants do not.