Lollipop Verbena

Lollipop Verbena (Verbena bonariensis 'Lollipop')

Lollipop Verbena brings the same floating, pollinator-friendly flower clusters of tall verbena, but in a shorter, more garden-friendly size. It adds airy purple color without blocking views, so borders feel layered and light instead of crowded. Bloom keeps coming through the heat, giving you dependable summer-to-fall color with a natural, meadow-like feel. Use it where you want the look of Verbena bonariensis, but need a compact plant that fits the front or middle of the border.

Distinctive Features

This compact selection forms a rounded, upright clump topped with dense clusters of small lavender to purple flowers held on wiry stems. The blooms hover above lower foliage, creating that signature see-through effect that mixes easily with grasses and late-season perennials. Flowering typically runs from summer into fall, and deadheading can help keep the display tidy and active. Compared to standard Verbena bonariensis, it stays much shorter while still delivering strong color and pollinator appeal.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun for the strongest flowering and the best upright, compact habit.
• Soil: Average, well-drained soil, and it tolerates a range of soil types as long as drainage is good.
• Water: Moderate water to establish, then low to moderate water once rooted, with extra water during extended heat for best bloom.
• USDA Zones: Zones 7 to 10, and grown as a warm-season annual in colder zones.
• Mature Size: About 20 to 24 inches tall and about 20 to 24 inches wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Plant a bold group near a path so the floating purple flower canopy becomes a clear seasonal highlight.
• Front-to-Mid Border: Use to add height and bloom without shading or hiding shorter companions.
• Pollinator Gardens: Include in sunny beds to support butterflies and other beneficial visitors through late season.
• Meadow Style Plantings: Weave through ornamental grasses for a light, natural look with constant movement.
• Containers: Grow in large pots where the compact size stays balanced and the bloom canopy reads cleanly.
• Mass Planting: Repeat in drifts to create a soft haze of purple that ties mixed plantings together.

Low Maintenance Care

• Deadheading: Remove spent flower clusters to keep the plant tidy and help limit self-sowing.
• Watering: Water during drought, especially in full sun, to keep flowering strong and stems sturdier.
• Cutback: Shear lightly after a heavy bloom flush to encourage fresh growth and continued flowering.
• Support: Site among neighboring plants in windy areas, since stems are naturally slender and flexible.
• Winter Cleanup: Cut stems back in late fall or in early spring before new growth starts.

Why Choose Lollipop Verbena?

• Compact Size: Delivers the Verbena bonariensis look in a shorter plant that fits smaller gardens and tighter borders.
• Long Bloom Season: Flowers from summer into fall, keeping color in the garden when many plants slow down.
• Airy Texture: Adds height and movement without creating a heavy wall of foliage.
• Pollinator Value: A reliable nectar source that keeps the garden active through the warm season.
• Deer Resistance: Often less appealing to deer than many flowering perennials.

If you like the floating flower effect of tall verbena but want a better fit for front and mid-border spaces, Lollipop Verbena is a smart choice. Give it full sun and good drainage, then trim or deadhead as needed to keep the bloom canopy fresh. The result is long-season purple color with a light, modern feel that blends effortlessly into mixed plantings.