Verbena Bonariensis - Purpletop Vervain arbequina tree the crushed leaves are said

the crushed leaves are said to have a pleasant wintergreen smell

When the weather is warm

or a combination of these

The spreading plum yew Cephalotaxus harringtonia makes a great specimen plant in a partially shaded to fully shaded spot

Small burgundy leaves emerge in the spring

Verbena Bonariensis - Purpletop Vervain arbequina tree the crushed leaves are saidThis verbena is wiry and tough, and makes a good addition to a cottage or butterfly garden. Small purple flowers on 4 foot tall stalks entice pollinators, and it's tall stems make for a nice cut flower. Relatively drought tolerant once established, purpletop vervain is also tolerant of poor soils, and is somewhat deer resistant. It can be grown in full sun as an annual north of zone 7, and as a perennial south of 7. Also called clustertop vervain,