Verbena bonariensis is a skinny little perennial that can grow up to 6ft tall, with sparse toothed leaves on its stiff square stems, and clusters of purple flowers that smell a bit like rosemary. It is beloved of bees, traditional gardeners who like interplanted herbaceous borders, and me.

Regarding the origin of its nomenclature, I quote Wikipedia:

“Verbena is derived from Latin, meaning ‘sacred bough’, in reference to the leafy twigs of vervaine (Verbena officinalis) which were historically carried by priests, used in wreaths for druidic rituals, and for medicine. Named by Virgil and Pliny the Elder. The common name, vervaine, comes from the Celtic name, ‘ferfain’.

Its specific epithet bonariensis means ‘from Buenos Aires, Argentina’. ‘Buenos’ means ‘good’ and ‘aires’ means ‘air’ (‘good air’).”