Description
Verbena bonariensis
Verbena bonariensis
For great garden display you need some plants with height. This usually means staking but not this time! Growing up to 6ft or more this short lived perennial does not require any staking! Perfect for plugging gaps in your beds and borders.
Flowers from June all the way until the frosts!
Self supporting, strong square shaped stems have a rough slightly hairy texture which extends to the leaves. This thick cuticle slows down transpiration making them very drought tolerant. Once planted verbena needs little care or attention and will be absolutely smothered in bee’s, butterflies and hoverflies. Creating hours of fun just watching.
Even Neil loves this plant!
Actually a Short-lived perennials. Over winter plants will die back, you can tidy them up but leave the main pruning until spring. The robust woody clump will protect the plant from frost.
Verbena can easily be grown in pots, you see them all the time being sold in garden centres at high cost! Make sure your container is sturdy so they don’t blow over, plants will be top heavy.
How to grow:
I have found that after chilling seeds; they then germinate better indoors where the temperatures are steady. Around 20°c is ideal.
Seeds need some light for germination, cover with compost only very lightly, use vermiculite or leave them uncovered placing a clear propagator lid over the tray or pot to keep the seeds moist so they don’t dry out.
Once germinated keep plants on the dryer side. Drought tolerant they dislike wet soil.
Like all perennials germination can be erratic.
For more detailed growing instructions join our ‘Grow-A-Long’ and for busy gardeners you can now plan ahead with our Spring Grow-A-Long Handbook.
Details:
Variety: Verbena bonariensis
Type: Hardy Perennial (short lived) grown as an Annual
Position: Full sun
Sow: Spring
Germination: Up to 30 days
Height: 180cm 6ft
Harvest: June onwards
Seeds per packet: 500
Cutting /Vase Life:
June until the frosts. Great vase life of up to 10 days if picked when flowers start to open. For floristry cut stems as tall as you need. Plants branch at the point of cutting and rebloom fresh but much shorter stems.
