Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Verbena canadensis (L.) Britt.

Half-hardy perennial with rooting lower stem nodes, pinnatifid leaves, to 9cm long, and terminal inflorescences of purple or lilac flowers in summer.  To 30cm.  [RHSD, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘It has fallen to the lot of this plant to have an unusual degree of attention bestowed on it by various botanists, and after being regarded as a distinct genus by several, to be finally classed with the Verbena; in the Supplemental Plantarum of the younger Linnaeus it is minutely described.  We learn from the Hortus Kewensis of Mr. Aiton, that it is a native of North America, introduced by Mons. Richard in 1774, and that it flowers in June and July.  The extreme brilliancy of its colour renders it a very ornamental greenhouse plant.’  [BM t.308/1795].  This journal also figured a more upright strain, as Verbena lamberti Sims, introduced from Carolina by Mr. Lyon prior to 1818.  [BM t.2200/1820].  BR f.294/1818.

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1845, 1850 and 1857 catalogues [H.229/1845].

Notes

Published Apr 24, 2009 - 03:37 PM | Last updated Feb 15, 2010 - 11:43 AM

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Illustrated are deeply toothed leaves and an umbel of rosy pink flowers. Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.308, 1795.

Verbena canadensis (L.) Britt. | BM t.308/1795 | BHL

Family Verbenaceae
Category
Region of origin

North America
Synonyms
  • Verbena aubletia Jacq.
  • Verbena longiflora Lam.
  • Verbena drummondii Hort. ex W.Baxt.
Common Name

Creeping vervain, Rose verbena
Name in the Camden Park Record

Verbena Aubletia 
Confidence level high