Meteor Shower Verbena

Meteor Shower Verbena (Verbena bonariensis 'Meteor Shower')

Meteor Shower Verbena brings a long season of lilac-purple bloom on a compact, upright plant that fits neatly into mixed borders and containers. The flowers float above the foliage, adding height and movement without turning the bed into a wall. It performs strongly in summer heat, keeping color coming when many plants slow down. If you want the airy look of tall verbena in a more controlled size, this cultivar is an easy match.

Distinctive Features

This selection forms sturdy, upright stems topped with clustered lilac to purple blooms that open in succession through the warm season. Compared with the species, it stays more compact and reads as a cleaner, more garden-friendly accent in tighter spaces. The foliage is deep green and concentrated lower on the plant, allowing the blooms to hover above nearby perennials and grasses. Flowers are highly attractive to pollinators and the plant holds its form well in sun with good drainage.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part shade, with best flowering and strongest stems in full sun.
• Soil: Average, well-drained soil, and avoid heavy ground that stays wet.
• Water: Moderate water to establish, then low to moderate once rooted, with deep watering during extended drought.
• USDA Zones: Zones 7 to 11, and often grown as a warm-season annual in colder zones.
• Mature Size: About 20 to 30 inches tall and about 8 to 12 inches wide.
• Habit: Upright, compact, and airy, with blooms held above the foliage on wiry stems.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Plant a bold group near a walkway so the floating purple flower clusters create a clear seasonal highlight.
• Mixed Borders: Thread it through perennials to add vertical lift without blocking the plants behind it.
• Containers: Use as a thriller in larger pots where the upright habit adds height and long-season color.
• Pollinator Gardens: Add to sunny beds to keep butterflies and other beneficial visitors active through summer and fall.
• Meadow Style Plantings: Combine with ornamental grasses for a light, natural look with constant movement.
• Mass Planting: Repeat in drifts to create a soft haze of purple that ties mixed plantings together.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water consistently until established, then water during drought to keep flowering strong.
• Trimming: Shear lightly after a heavy bloom flush to encourage fresh growth and continued flowering.
• Drainage: Prioritize well-drained soil to help the plant stay vigorous through summer.
• Cleanup: Remove spent stems for a tidier look if desired, especially in more formal beds.
• Season End: Cut back stems in late fall or in early spring before new growth begins.

Why Choose Meteor Shower Verbena?

• Compact Size: Delivers the airy verbena look in a plant that fits smaller gardens and tighter borders.
• Long Bloom Season: Keeps lilac-purple color coming through the warm months and into fall.
• Heat Tolerance: Handles summer sun well when planted in well-drained soil.
• Pollinator Value: A reliable nectar source that keeps the garden lively during peak season.
• Versatile Design: Works in borders and containers, adding height without heaviness.

If you want a tall-verbena effect without the oversized footprint, Meteor Shower Verbena is a strong choice. Give it sun, sharp drainage, and occasional trimming, and it will keep sending up blooms for months. Used in groups or woven through mixed plantings, it adds a light, modern layer of color and movement that looks intentional all season.