Verbena hastata - is it worth growing?

I’m looking for a tall airy perennial to fill a gap in a sunny border (presuming we get some sun!) and wondered whether Verbena hastata might be worth a try. Does any one have any thoughts on this please? Would it be better to stick with V. Bonariensis? The soil is sandy and well draining with added compost, in a south facing border.

 

I've not grown V hastata, but do grow bonariensis, rigida and Bampton.
Bampton may be another variety worth considering.
I bought a small one in a pot last spring and potted it and was surprised at how fast it grew and flowered for many months.
It came through winter fine and there are now lots of shoots at the base for me to take plenty of cuttings.
I'll be planting some in the borders later in the year.

 

Well my mum ended up with a Verbena Hastata ( suppose to be V.B ) I didn't think much to it colours muted/dull to me anyway, self seeded everywhere . My opinion not a patch on Verbena.Bon .

Had Bampton winter before so it off never really saw the best of it unfortunately, V.B usually succumbs to winter here but do find the odd seedling .

Limonium may be of interest , you'll have to dig through the variety's , I would of said a thalictrum Splendie if it weren't sandy soil You'll have a better Idea than me if it would survive

 

Thank you @Pete8 and @Perki, that’s very helpful. I know V. Bampton and like it @Pete8 but need something a bit taller for contrast. Now that I know how unimpressed you were with V. hastata @Perki, I’m going to stick with V. bonariensis. This is becoming the norm now here, sticking to old favourites!

 

Thank you for your additional recommendations @Perki, both worth checking out!

 

If red is something you would go for then maybe sanguisorba would work for you.
They have a light and airy disposition.
I have S Tana which is lovely.

 

I love Sanguisorba too @Pete8, thank you, but unfortunately they don’t do well in my sandy soil. Time to get a new garden!

 

How about the taller gaura? Diascia personata? It grew very tall in my garden and survived the winter, but you might need to take cuttings? Linaria? Knautia (planted seeds today of the Red Cherries variety)?

 

Perovskia would be an ideal plant , I haven't grown it before but Erygium yuccifoloum will make the effect you are looking for.

I have a picture of verbena hastata from a garden visit which may give you a better idea what it really looks like .
I love my sanguisorba starting to get a good collection of them now

 

Thank you for those recommendations @pitter-patter, I’ll do some research!

 

That’s a lovely photo @Perki, thank you. I like the look of the V. hastata there!

 

I believe I have hastata, but it doesn't look anything like that photo. It's half the height of that one.
Mine is a good colour too, and although it often looks like it's dead at the end of winters, it manages to pull through, even with very low temps for long periods. I have to have it in a raised bed with quite poor soil though, to counteract the wet weather.

 

Thank you @fairygirl, I think I’m going to give it a go. I like the unusual flower structure, if it appears! It must be pretty determined to make it through your winters.

 

Verbena hastata grows in my garden and I'm not a fan of it at all, definitely preferring bonariensis. Hastata has duller, smaller flowers, looks less elegant, weedy and it self seeds everywhere.

Not that I'm trying to put you off.

 

Back to the drawing board then @Garrett! Not elegant and self seeding and I bet it needs staking too! Verbena bonariensis you are politely invited back.