One of the most fuss-free flowering plants, verbenas require little care in the garden. Plant them in containers, hanging baskets and in the ground. Trailing types look good in rock gardens and cascade over short retaining walls.

verbena

Whether used as a container plant or in garden beds, verbena plants offer endless color, from the first warm whispers of spring through the frosty gloom of fall. Its lush, long blooming season outshines many other flowers, ensuring your gardens are always covered in cheerful hues.

Verbenas are easy to grow, especially in sunny or partially shady spots. They do best in well-draining soil, and they tolerate heat and drought. They also attract butterflies and other pollinators, making them a valuable addition to your garden.

A wide variety of verbenas are available, ranging from trailing groundcover to upright perennials and shrubs. Some examples include ‘Greystone Daphne’ with pinkish lavender flowers, ‘Homestead Purple’ with deep violet flowers and ‘Snowflurry’ with white flower clusters.

The flowers and leaves of verbenas are often used to impart a lemon flavor to desserts, baked goods and tea. Early research has found that the essential oils of some varieties, particularly lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora), have anticonvulsant and anxiolytic properties, and may also act as a mild sedative. However, further advance molecular studies are required to validate these claims.

basic

Zones:

Winter tough for zones 8-11. Verbenas for gardens ( Verbena xhybrida) can be grown as annuals in all climates.

Bloom season:

From May to the end of October.

The sun and soil needs:

Full daytime sun (at minimum 8 hours per day) and a well-drained average soil.

Height/spread:

The height of the varieties vary from low-growing and trailing up to slightly upright.

Colors and features:

Common garden types have small, fragrant flowers that are placed in saucer-shaped clusters that are up to 3 inches in diameter. The most commonly used flower colors include red, pink blue-violet, coral, and in addition to bicolored varieties.

Attracts:

Flowers that are vibrant and fragrant offer a wealth of nectar for pollinators drawing bees, hummingbirds and various butterflies.

TYPES OF VERBENA

Superbena series:

Verbena hybrids developed by Proven Winners® to be more robust, more mildew resistant, and more resilient than older varieties. They also produce larger flowers in many colors, including bicolored striped patterns.

Tapien series:

A trailing verbena characterized by a multi-branching growth habit, spreading up to 3 feet to create a dense low-growing carpet of blooms. Also mildew resistant and grow well under a wide range of weather conditions.

Lanai series:

A semi-trailing verbena characterized by bold patterns, bright colors, and contrasting eyes. It spreads up to 2 feet and has one of the longest bloom seasons. Compact versions with mounded habits are also available.

HOW TO PLANT VERBENA

The best time to plant

In mid-spring, or in early summer once the risk of frost has been averted.

Seeds from the beginning:

There are varieties that can be grown from seeds but not all, except for hybrids that do not seed. Seeds should be planted indoors between 8 and 10 weeks prior to the final frost date in your region and then transplant the seedlings to outside beds when the soil has warmed up.

Planting where:

Groundcover

Baskets for hanging

Containers

Landscape boundaries

VERBENA CARE

The bright flowers of verbena make it a beautiful addition to the landscape. These easy-to-grow flowers are suitable for a wide range of climates, and most varieties can be grown as either perennials or annuals. They can also be used in containers. Annuals need to be replaced each year, but perennials often reseed themselves and can come back year after year.

In the garden, verbena tolerates most soil types, though they do best in rich, well-draining soil. It can even thrive in sandy soils, which may benefit from the addition of compost or fertilizer. When growing in containers, use a well-draining potting mix.

Verbena plants have few problems with pests and disease, but if you see signs of stress, such as leggy growth or sparse flowering, it could be due to lack of sunlight or poorly drained soil. Move the plants to a sunnier location, and give them a good watering.

If your verbena plants are not thriving, consider propagating them from 3-inch cuttings taken in late spring. Remove all but the top one or two sets of leaves, dip them in rooting hormone, and plant them in a pot of moist, loose, well-draining planting medium. Put the pot inside a plastic bag, and keep it in a warm, sunny location for about six weeks.

TROUBLESHOOTING VERBENA

One of the easiest flowers you can plant Verbena has a minor diseases or pests. When problems do arise it is mostly due to lack of sunlight or a poorly-drained soil. Here are a few stress indicators to look out for and possible solutions.

Spider mites are among the few pests that cause an issue. If you see netting that resembles spider webs on your plants, and leaves are discolored, spray leaves with a powerful stream of water, or using the insecticide soap. Beware of chemical insecticides that could cause harm to pollinators. See: How to Control Spider Mites

The sagging plants and the sparse flowers usually result from too much shade. Transfer them to a place in your garden where they receive 6 or more hours of sunlight. Verbenas can recover quickly when transplanted, and so do not be afraid to move your plants into the best location.

The mildew that is powdery is the largest and most prevalent issue. Make sure your plants have enough space for air circulation and to avoid watering the overhead. Don’t water your plants in the evening so that the foliage isn’t damp all night. See: How to Get Rid of Powdery Mildew.

Leaves that are yellow, insufficient flowering and root Rot are all indicators that your drainage is poor. It is possible to keep your plants alive by moving them to an area with better drainage or raised beds. If you have plants that are grown in containers make sure you have drainage holes.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is lemon verbena?

A well-known species of the verbena family lemon verbena ( Aloysia triphylla) actually belongs to a different species. The leaves emit the scent of lemons when they are rubbed. They are utilized in aromatherapy including perfume, medicine and even as a cooking herb.

What is blue vervain?

Most well-known for its usage as a herb for healing blue vervain ( Verbena hastata) is between 2 and 6 feet tall and blooms from in July through September. It is found in the wild and develops colonies that spread slowly, rhizomes, and self-seeds.

What’s the deal with purpletop vervain?

There are also taller verbena kinds ( Verbena bonariensis) Also known as Brazilian vervain, or purpletop vervain. The plants are 4 to five feet tall, typically grown as an annual and are characterized by 2-inch flower clusters with slender, sturdy stems. Tall Verbena is a great choice for self-sowing, however more recent cultivars, like Meteor Shower(r) and Meteor Shower(r), are developed to be more tolerant.