Verbena is a genus of flowering plants, often called vervain, prized by gardeners for its vibrant, long-lasting blooms. This plant group includes both annuals and perennials, known for their ability to thrive in hot, sunny conditions. Verbena attracts butterflies because its flowers are a rich and reliable source of nectar for numerous Lepidoptera species throughout the growing season.
Understanding Why Verbena Attracts Butterflies
Verbena flowers are clustered tightly together in dense, rounded heads, or umbels, that function as ideal landing pads for a butterfly. This allows the insect to settle and access multiple blooms without expending excess energy flying between single flowers. The individual flowers are small and tubular, containing a generous supply of nectar that is easily reached by the long proboscis of a butterfly.
Many verbena varieties feature shades of purple and pink, colors that are visually attractive to butterflies and other insect pollinators. The extended blooming period, which often lasts from mid-summer until the first hard frost, ensures a consistent and late-season food source when many other garden flowers have finished their cycle. This prolonged availability makes it a particularly valuable plant for migrating species like the Monarch butterfly.
Selecting the Best Verbena Varieties for a Butterfly Garden
Selecting the right verbena variety can significantly increase butterfly visits. Verbena bonariensis, commonly known as Tall Verbena or Brazilian Vervain, is consistently cited as a top choice. This species grows tall, often reaching heights of four to six feet, with a distinct airy structure and sparse foliage at the base. Its tall, slender stems allow the purple flower clusters to seemingly float above other plants, making them highly visible to flying insects from a distance.
Gardeners also have options in the form of lower-growing hybrids, such as those sold under names like Verbena x hybrida or the Superbena series. These varieties typically offer a wider range of colors and a more mounding or trailing growth habit, making them excellent for containers and the front of garden borders. While these hybrids still provide nectar, the taller, more open architecture of V. bonariensis tends to be superior for attracting and supporting larger butterfly species.
Optimizing Plant Care to Ensure Continuous Pollinator Visits
Verbena thrives in full sun, requiring a minimum of six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily to maximize photosynthesis and bloom production. Planting in a location that receives ample sun is the single most important step for maintaining a healthy, bloom-heavy plant. The plant requires well-drained soil, as overly wet conditions can lead to root rot and fungal diseases like powdery mildew, which will diminish flowering. While verbena is drought-tolerant once established, providing consistent, moderate moisture encourages more vigorous growth and bloom cycles. Water the plant thoroughly and allow the soil to dry slightly before watering again.
Promoting re-blooming is accomplished through deadheading or shearing. For lower-growing hybrids, a light shearing or trimming back by about a quarter of the plant’s height in mid-summer encourages a fresh flush of new blooms. Planting multiple verbena plants in a concentrated group, known as mass planting, creates a larger, more visible color target that exponentially increases the likelihood of attracting passing butterflies.