Variable habit, mostly to 30 cm or so tall, sometimes creeping. Stems 4-angled in section, hairy. Leaves to about 7 cm long, ovate to lanceolate in outline but irregularly cut, toothed and lobed, sometimes double-toothed. Flower clusters flattened to spike-like and elongated. Flower colours from white to yellow, pink, purple and scarlet, sometimes mixed.

Garden origin

Considered a multiple hybrid, involving V. incisa, V. peruviana, V. phlogiflora and V. teucrioides. Available in a wide range of colour cultivars and selections, some with flowers with stripes or coloured eyes, and occasionally with a compact or dwarf habit. The following is a small selection of those available.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Verbenaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.