Verbena hastata f. rosea 'Pink Spires' is a frost-hardy perennial that brings delicate pink spires of fragrant, showy flowers from May through frost in hardiness zones 8 to 10. Growing 9 to 12 inches tall and spreading 12 to 24 inches wide, this low-maintenance herb thrives in full sun and handles both drought and wet soil with equal grace. Native to the Americas, verbena has been treasured for centuries in religious ceremonies and medicine, and this particular cultivar captures the genus's magnetic appeal to hummingbirds and butterflies while maintaining exceptional heat and drought tolerance.
Full Sun
Moderate
8-10
12in H x 24in W
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Moderate
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The pink spires bloom prolifically from late spring straight through to the first frost, providing months of continuous color without demanding much in return. Deer leave it alone, it tolerates both drought and damp conditions, and the flowers are genuinely fragrant, making this variety a low-fuss powerhouse for gardeners seeking reliable, pollinator-friendly color. The spreading habit and compact stature make it exceptional as a ground cover or in rain gardens where it can naturalize over time.
This verbena serves multiple roles in contemporary gardens: as a spreading ground cover that softens garden edges, as a key player in rain gardens where it thrives in fluctuating moisture conditions, and as a naturalized element that weaves itself into meadow-like plantings. Its proven ability to attract butterflies and hummingbirds makes it invaluable in pollinator gardens, while its low maintenance and resilience to drought and poor soil quality recommend it for sustainable landscapes and xeriscaping schemes.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last spring frost date at temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This timing allows seedlings to develop sturdy growth before transplanting outdoors after frost danger has passed.
Transplant seedlings outdoors in spring after your last frost date, spacing them 12 to 24 inches apart in full sun. Harden off seedlings gradually by exposing them to outdoor conditions over several days before planting in the garden.
Deadhead spent flower spires regularly to encourage continuous bloom throughout the season. Stems often root as they touch the ground, so you can allow the plant to sprawl naturally as a ground cover, or lightly trim wayward growth to maintain a neater appearance.
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“Verbena hastata, commonly called blue vervain, is a Missouri native perennial that has long inhabited wet meadows, riverbanks, and field margins across much of the state. This pink-flowering form, 'Pink Spires,' represents a deliberate selection or natural mutation from the species, capturing the genus's long history of use in plant medicine and ceremonial practice. The genus name itself derives from Latin, where verbena was invoked in religious rituals and folk medicine traditions across Europe and the Americas, making this plant a living link to centuries of human cultivation and reverence.”