Can you help me identify this plant?

[Jux]

I’ve lost the info from the garden centre, and have no idea what it is or how to care for it. It’s in a large pot so am hoping it’s OK in that. Sorry the image is a bit blurred, but I hope that the general leaf shape etc will be enough.

Thank you.

[NanTheWiser]

It's Verbena - possibly 'Homestead Purple' I can't say for sure. It isn't hardy unless you live in a sheltered southern area, so a hard frost will probably kill it off. As you have it in a pot, maybe you could put it in a very sheltered place or somewhere inside, to protect from frost, and hope it survives.

[Lordasriel]

My verbenas don’t survive from one year to the next.

[Jux]

Thank you. It’s not very sheltered right now so I’ll try to find somewhere better for it when it gets cold. At the moment it seems to be thriving!

When I move it, .is it that it needs to be warm or does it just need protection from frost?

[MrsBertBibby]

Protection from frost.

But they are easily replaced in the spring. They are a very inexpensive bedding plant to buy. Wilko were doing a tray of 24 for a fiver, or something like that, last spring.

I got some at my dad's church plant sale, they've been glorious, and still going.

[Jux]

Ah, but I don’t like the idea of just letting a pretty plant die when it could live. I’d like it to have a full and happy life!

Also, we don’t have any garden centres particularly close to us, so I don’t get to them v often.

[Jux]

I think ‘Homestead purple’ has the wrong shaped leaves. I think it looks more like Verbena Rigida.