Common verbena is quite similar to lavender, but they are different.

Firstly, they are two different species. Lavender is a kind of perennial shrub that belongs to Labiatae, while common verbena is the perennial herb that belongs to Verbenaceae. Therefore, the stalk of lavender will be lignified at some point while the common verbena will not.

Secondly, they look different. Lavender has a lot of branches that are grey and furry. Their leaves are linear. Their flowers are purple and of verticillaster. On the other hand, common verbena has simple leaves which are oval, line opposite, and featured with hard fur. Their flowers are terminal or axillary. The corollas are labiate and bluish purple.