A Complete Guide to Growing and Caring for Verbena

A Guide to Growing & Caring for Verbena

For gardeners seeking a continuous splash of color from late spring into fall, few annuals can rival the charm, vibrance, and resilience of verbena. These sun-loving plants offer months of colorful blooms and thrive with minimal fuss, making them ideal for beds, borders, containers, and beyond. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about choosing, growing, and enjoying verbena in your garden.

About Verbena

Verbena is part of the Verbenaceae family and includes more than 250 species, with both annual and perennial forms cultivated for ornamental use. Their clusters of small, five-petaled flowers bloom prolifically in shades of purple, pink, white, red, and blue. Prized for their long bloom time and ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, verbenas bring life and color wherever they grow.

• Botanical name: Verbena x hybrida (common annual bedding type); other species include Verbena bonariensis, Verbena rigida, and Verbena hastata
• Common names: Garden verbena, vervain
• Flower colors: Blue, purple, violet, red, pink, white, yellow, salmon, and bicolors
• Growth habit: Low, spreading, or trailing; some species grow upright
• Uses: Bedding, containers, hanging baskets, borders, groundcover, pollinator gardens

Annual vs. Perennial Verbenas

Most gardeners grow verbena as annuals, especially hybrids like Verbena x hybrida that bloom continuously through the growing season. Some species, like Verbena bonariensis and Verbena hastata, are perennials in warmer climates and offer winter hardiness in USDA zones 7 and above.

Top Varieties of Verbena

There’s a verbena for almost every garden style and setting. Here are some standout types and series to consider:

• Superbena® Violet Ice: A tricolor favorite with purple centers fringed in lavender and white. Requires no deadheading and blooms all summer long.
• Superbena® Pink Cashmere™: Features soft pink clustered umbels that nearly cover the deep green foliage. Excellent for pairing with petunias and has good mildew resistance.
• Superbena Royale® Peachy Keen: Noted for its robust vigor and continuous blooms in shades of peach and pink.
• Verbena bonariensis: A tall, airy species with lavender-purple flowers ideal for pollinator and meadow gardens.
• Verbena rigida “Santos Purple”: Low-growing, spreading variety with vibrant purple blooms.
• Lanai® Series: Known for large, vivid flower clusters on trailing plants, perfect for baskets and containers.

Planting Verbena

Getting verbena off to a strong start is simple with the right site and planting technique.

Where to Plant

• Sunlight: Verbena thrives in full sun, needing at least 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for abundant blooms.
• Soil: Well-drained soil of average fertility is best. Avoid heavy, waterlogged soils to prevent root rot.

How to Plant

• Sowing seed: Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost. Verbena seeds benefit from light exposure to germinate; gently press seeds onto moist soil surface but do not cover.
• Transplants & bedding plants: Widely available in spring. Plant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed.
• Spacing: Allow 12 to 18 inches between plants, depending on the variety. Rows can be spaced 7 inches apart for mass planting.
• Companion Planting: Verbena’s low, spreading growth makes it ideal for the front of borders, under taller annuals, or as a trailing accent in mixed containers.

Planting Steps

1. Prepare the site by amending poor soil with compost to improve drainage and fertility.
2. Remove weeds and loosen the soil to a depth of 6–8 inches.
3. Gently remove transplants from their containers and plant at the same depth they were growing previously.
4. Water thoroughly after planting, then mulch lightly to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

Verbena Care & Maintenance

Verbena rewards minimal attention with maximal beauty. For best performance, keep the following care tips in mind:

Watering

• Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy while young plants establish.
• Once mature, verbena tolerates short periods of drought and prefers to dry somewhat between waterings.

Feeding

• Before planting, incorporate compost or balanced slow-release fertilizer.
• In midsummer, drench plants with a liquid fertilizer to boost bloom time.
• For container-grown verbena, apply liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season.

Pruning and Deadheading

• Most modern verbenas are self-cleaning and do not require deadheading to continue blooming.
• To encourage bushier growth and more buds, lightly trim back stems by one-quarter in midsummer.
• Remove spent blossom clusters weekly on older types to promote additional blossoming.

Overwintering

• Annual verbenas are not frost tolerant and should be treated as annuals in most regions.
• In mild-winter climates, some perennial types can be overwintered in the ground with mulch protection.
• Container-grown verbenas can be moved indoors before the first frost in cold climates.

Landscape Uses for Verbena

• Bed and Border Edging: Use in the front of mixed borders or flower beds for a carpet of color.
• Containers & Hanging Baskets: Trailing and mounded varieties spill beautifully from pots, window boxes, and hanging baskets.
• Pollinator Gardens: The nectar-rich blooms attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds throughout the summer.
• Groundcover: Low-growing cultivars quickly fill in spaces and help suppress weeds.
• Meadow & Wildflower Plantings: Tall species like Verbena bonariensis add vertical interest and movement in naturalistic designs.

Common Problems & Troubleshooting

Verbena is generally easy to grow, but like all garden plants, it can sometimes encounter problems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Do verbenas need full sun?

A: Yes, verbena thrives in full sun—at least 8 hours per day. Fewer hours can reduce flowering and vigor significantly.

Q: How long do verbenas bloom?

A: Most verbenas bloom from late spring through the first fall frost, offering months of color.

Q: Are verbenas deer resistant?

A: While not entirely deer-proof, verbenas are generally avoided by deer due to their aromatic foliage.

Q: Can I grow verbena in containers?

A: Absolutely! Many varieties are bred specifically for hanging baskets and pots, where their spreading or trailing habits shine.

Q: What’s the difference between lemon verbena and garden verbena?

A: Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) is a perennial shrub grown for its lemon-scented leaves and culinary uses, while garden verbena refers to ornamental annual and perennial varieties grown for their colorful flowers.

Design Inspiration & Companion Planting

Verbena blends easily with other summer favorites. Pair with plants like petunias, calibrachoa, salvia, lantana, or dusty miller for nonstop color and textural contrast. Their trailing and mounded shapes soften hard container edges and enhance mixed borders.

• Mix several colors of verbena in massed plantings for vibrant carpets of bloom.
• Combine with upright grasses or tall annuals to create a dynamic pollinator garden.
• In window boxes, alternate verbena with trailing lobelia or sweet potato vine for a lush, cascading effect.

Quick Tips for Verbena Success

• Choose sun-drenched sites and well-drained soil.
• Feed regularly, especially in containers, to keep plants blooming vigorously.
• Don’t overwater—let soil dry slightly between waterings.
• If plants become scraggly by midsummer, give a light trim to rejuvenate blooms.
• Select improved, disease-resistant varieties for best results.

Summary Table: Essential Care Requirements

Conclusion

With their dazzling colors, robust growth habits, and carefree charm, verbenas truly earn their spot in any sunny landscape or container garden. From filling in beds to spilling out of baskets and attracting pollinators, verbena is a sure-fire, low-maintenance way to keep your summer garden brimming with life and color all season long.

Author

Shinta

 

Shinta is a biotechnologist turned writer. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University. Shinta realised her love for content while working as an editor for a scientific journal.

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