Verbena rigida f. lilacina 'Polaris'

Verbena rigida ‘Polaris’ is a hardy, low growing perennial grown for its lilac-purple flowers from mid summer through to autumn. It is an easy care plant that spreads by underground rhizomes, making it useful as a ground cover in sunny positions.

Sometimes referred to as Slender Vervain, this form is compact, forming a dense clump that helps suppress weeds while adding long-lasting colour to the garden.

Key Features

Botanical name: Verbena rigida ‘Polaris’ (often listed as Verbena rigida f. lilacina ‘Polaris’)
Common name: Verbena ‘Polaris’, Slender Vervain
Height: To 40 cm
Spread: To 50 cm (slowly spreading by rhizomes)
Flower colour: Lilac to purple
Flowering period: Mid summer to autumn
Foliage: Mid green, slightly rough textured
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial

How to Grow Verbena rigida ‘Polaris’

This is a tough and reliable plant once established, well suited to low maintenance gardens.

Plant in full sun for best flowering, tolerates light afternoon shade.
Grow in well drained soil; sandy or loamy soils are ideal.
Improve heavier soils with compost to aid drainage.
Water to establish, then only occasionally once established.
Apply a light application of organic fertiliser in spring.

Plants will spread gradually by rhizomes, forming a dense clump over time.

Cut back in late autumn or early winter as flowering finishes to maintain shape and encourage fresh growth in spring.

Climate Suitability

A versatile plant suited to a range of temperate and warm climates.

Australia

Performs well in most regions including temperate and semi-arid areas. Handles heat and periods of dryness once established. Frost tolerance is moderate — top growth may die back in colder regions but will usually reshoot in spring.

North America

Suitable for USDA Zones 7 – 10.

In colder zones (7), it may die back over winter and regrow in spring.
In warmer zones, it can remain semi-evergreen.

Europe

Grows well in temperate regions including the UK and much of western Europe.

In colder areas, expect winter dieback with regrowth in spring.
Requires good drainage in winter to prevent root rot.

Garden Uses

Verbena rigida ‘Polaris’ is a useful plant for a range of garden styles.

Cottage gardens for long flowering colour.
Ground cover in sunny borders.
Rock gardens and dry areas.
Mass planting for seasonal impact.
Pollinator-friendly gardens, attracting bees and butterflies.

Its spreading habit and dense growth also make it useful for suppressing weeds.

Although related to other Verbena species, this plant is quite different in both appearance and use.

Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora) is a shrubby herb grown for its fragrant leaves rather than flowers.
Other Verbena species may be taller or more upright, while V. rigida remains compact and spreading.

With lilac purple flowers from mid summer into autumn, Verbena rigida ‘Polaris’ is an easy care spreading perennial. Sometimes called ‘Slender Vervain’, this is a plant that spread naturally by rhizomes.

It will reach around 40 cm in height and form a clump to around 50 cm across. A very hardy plant once established it is easy care and a good addition to the garden.

Verbena rigida ‘Polaris’ Care

Best grown in full sun to a little afternoon shade it is suited to a humus rich well drained soil.

Prune back in autumn/fall and fertilise with an organic type fertiliser in spring.

Grown for the flowers that appear over a number of weeks as well its its dense growing nature that tends to suppress weeds this is a great little cottage garden plant.

Related to other Verbena species, this is a very different plant to the well known Lemon Verbena.

Summary Information

Botanical Name – Verbena rigida f. lilacina ‘Polaris’
Common Name – Verbena ‘Polaris’
Position – Full Sun to a little shade.
Soil – Humus rich well drained
Height – To 40 cm
Spread – To 50 cm
Flowers – Lilac purple.
Flowering Time – Summer onwards
Foliage – Mid Green
Drought tolerant – Yes once established
Frost tolerant – Medium.