Swap High-Maintenance Privacy Plants With A Self-Seeding Flower

A neatly arranged row of dense hedges or fast-growing shrubs has been a natural go-to for adding a little more privacy to your outdoor space. They're perfect for bringing a lush aesthetic without having an ordinary fence zoning off your property. If you've ever planted a traditional privacy hedge, then you know how much work they take. Whether it's pruning, shaping, or watering, it takes a lot of effort to keep tall and bushy privacy hedges looking good. What if we told you there's another option that isn't so demanding? Although it can't completely fill in for a solid fence or a towering evergreen hedge, Verbena bonariensis can do a surprisingly good job of creating a privacy screen along borders and balconies, without all the fussiness of shrubs and hedges.

Verbena bonariensis is a tall, airy perennial that can reach from 2 to 5 feet, topped with clusters of small purple blooms that look like they float in midair. While hedges tend to have a closed-off, boxy feel, Verbena bonariensis is like a see-through meadow of color that blurs lines rather than hides them entirely. This perennial is perfect when you're trying to bring a classic garden design style to your landscape, including a prairie-inspired look with oodles of vibrant petals. One of Verbena bonariensis' many superpowers is that it generally keeps its wispy, upright foliage, so you don't have to spend hours whipping it into shape. When it comes to alternatives for high-maintenance privacy plants, this self-seeding flower is certainly one of the prettiest.

Growing Verbena bonariensis isn't about babying individual plants, but about creating the right conditions and then getting out of their way. Once they're established, these South American natives know exactly what to do and bring lots of benefits to your space. 

For starters, they're a magnet for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, so if you want plenty of beneficial pollinators frequenting your yard (and why wouldn't you), Verbena bonariensis could be the answer. If pollinators aren't coming to your garden, the plant's long bloom season, from mid-summer into fall, can help turn that around. Plus, instead of having to start over every spring with new plants, you'll likely notice Verbena bonariensis seedlings growing in unexpected places. Thanks to its prolific self-seeding, you might find new shoots popping up around stepping stones or tucked between other perennials. Just keep an eye on where it grows to make sure it doesn't get out of control.

This fast-growing plant is a tender perennial in USDA Zones 7 to 11, and an annual in cooler climates. Regardless of your growing zone, it's important to plant Verbena bonariensis in areas that get full sun (at least six hours) throughout the day. While not persnickety about the type of soil, it grows best in soil with plenty of drainage. Verbena bonariensis is somewhat drought-tolerant once it's settled in, so overwatering is a more realistic threat to its health than underwatering. Also, if a certain four-legged pest is the source of your gardening woes, Verbena bonariensis is one of several beautiful purple deer-resistant flowers you won't regret adding to your space.