Verbena
(sold as Babylon Deep Pink)
Family: Verbenaceae
Common name: VERVAIN
Native to: South America
Sentiment: pray for me
Plant
Types: annual, perennial
Forms: clumping, erect, open form, pendent, prostrate, spreading
Max height: 0.75 feet
Max width: 0.75 feet
Flower
magenta/purple, pink, secondary color present, violet
Leaf
green
Horticulture
Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, bird, hummingbird, specific butterfly species
Plant part consumed by birds: nectar
Exposure: sun
Landscape use: container
Propagates by: cutting, seed
flowers in fall
flowers in summer
Soil type: loam
USDA Zones: zone 9 to +20 f, zone 10 to +30 f, zone 11 to +40 f
Temp. range: +20 to above +40 °F
Water: moderate
Butterflies that feed on this plant
This plant can be grown in a container and will attract and feed adult butterflies. These plant can be found in every height range – from tiny to large – from less than a foot high to over 10 feet tall.
Our database of nectar plants for all US butterflies contains over 10,000 entries. The top five nectar plants -- Cirsium, Lantana, Asclepias, Salvia, and Verbena -- will appeal to 90% of all US butterflies. Pick from these if you want to provide nectar for your local butterflies.
Once you start with these, you can add from another 630 genera in 110 plant families to attract more insects to your garden.
By far the most import butterfly nectar plant family is Asteraceae. If you grow plants in from this family, butterflies will find your garden.