No cottage garden could possibly be complete without the light and airy, graceful wands of Verbena bonariensis. Though technically a half hardy perennial, it's actually a tough and gutsy plant which will only be lost in the harshest of winters. Even then, if left to seed in the autumn it is such a prolific self sower that one can be fooled into thinking next spring that your lovely plant has somehow moved from last years position! Strong mid/dark green lance shaped leaves, slightly toothed and textured form a neat mound from which the flower stems shoot from mid summer all the way through to the first frosts, bearing charming little bobble shaped clusters of tiny lavender/purple coloured flowers, which can easily make head height. One of our absolute favourites, and a real must have.