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Verbena bonariensis 'Lollipop' - (Dwarf Purple Top) A dwarf form of Verbena bonariensis with a short almost mounding habit to 2 feet tall by 2 to 3 feet wide instead of the 4 foot plus of the species. It has the same dark green toothed leaves along thin square scabrous (rough textured) stems and at the tips of these stems are rounded 2- to 3-inch-wide clusters of pinkish-purple buds that open to display pink flowers that later fade nearly to white over a long period from spring to fall.
Plant in full sun (best) or in partial shade. Tolerates heat and dry conditions but also more regular irrigation and is perennial in zones 7 to 10; useful as a long blooming annual in colder climates - cut back to about 3 inches tall in winter. The shorter stature of this plant makes it better suited to the foreground of a planting or containers than the taller form. It is a good cut flower and attracts bees and butterflies to the garden and is not that palatable to deer.
Verbena bonariensis is native to Brazil and Argentina. The name for the genus comes from the Latin word for sacred boughs of plants made up of olive, myrtle and other plants (possibly Vebena) and the specific epithet bonariensis, given to this plant by Linnaeus, refers to the city of Buenos Aires (named for Our Lady of Bonaria, patroness of Cagliari), where this plant was reportedly discovered in 1726. Another common name for it is Vervain. This variety was reportedly introduced by Green Leaf Plants (Aris) of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. We first grew and sold this from 2014 until 2022.
The information about Verbena bonariensis 'Lollipop' that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.
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