Purpletop vervain

Verbena bonariensis has tall, narrow, sparsely-leafed stems on top of which flattened heads of bright lavender-purple flowers appear in late-summer. It’s perfect for bringing height to an ornamental border and also works well in prairie-style planting schemes with ornamental grasses.

A species Verbena, this tender perennial offers months of garden color both from the big blooms and from the finely-cut dark green foliage. Good tolerance of heat and drought means even longer, more perfect bloom.