Homestead Purple verbena (Photo by Allen Owings, LSU AgCenter)

Of all the perennial verbenas on the market today, the outstanding variety continues to be Homestead Purple.

This Verbena canadensis is truly perennial. After being on the market since the 1990s, Homestead Purple verbena has been named by the LSU AgCenter as a fall 2015 Louisiana Super Plant.

Many times perennial verbenas are planted in spring, and they can be planted then with fine results. But an early to midfall planting is more preferred. This will result in improved landscape performance next year.

Homestead Purple and many other verbenas have great cold tolerance, and frosts or freezes during fall and winter do not harm the majority of plantings.

Homestead Purple verbena will have peak bloom from late February through May as well as in late summer and fall. Bloom in the summertime is more scattered. But you can maximize the February-to-May bloom by planting in the fall.

All verbenas need adequate spacing and occasional shearing to bring back nice, new growth. Fertilize a few times annually to encourage new growth. Perennial verbenas all prefer full to partial sun and do best in a well-drained landscape bed.

Homestead Purple will grow 3 feet wide and will mature at a height of 12 inches. Space individual plants 2 feet apart in a new landscape planting. They can be used as a spiller, thriller or filler plant in containers.

Allen Owings
Rick Bogren