Verbena Plant Profile

A great addition to any butterfly garden, Verbena blooms non-stop for many weeks, making it popular for container plantings too.

Cultivation Information and How to Grow Verbena

Botanical and Common Name – Verbena is a large genus that carries the common name of Verbena.

Plant Category – Verbena can be either annual or perennial but most of what is offered in garden centers are annual or tender perennial plants. Certain cultivars may be hardy to zone 6 but others are tender and will die after a frost.

Bloom Time and Color – Most verbena plants begin blooming in the summer and can continue until first frost. Verbena flower colors include solid and bicolored blooms in red, purple, white, yellow, orange, and peach with generally white or cream colored eyes.

Foliage – The leaves of the verbena are typically thin, lance shaped leaves in medium green. The fine cut foliage is attractive and combines well with other plants.

Growth Habit – Verbena tends to have a loose, sprawling growth habit that makes it nice for containers and hanging baskets. The verbena flowers are five-petaled and very tiny individually, however they grow in beautiful clusters or domed heads held above the foliage. Some cultivars are called ‘Trailing Verbena’ because of the loose, trailing form.

Dimensions – Verbena plants come in a wide variety of sizes from just a few inches tall to several feet. Be sure to check the label when you purchase plants to be sure the Verbena will perform the way you want.

Preferred Conditions – Verbena do best in in sunny sites but will tolerate a wide range of soils as long as it is well-drained. Many verbena will tolerate partial shade.

Maintenance – Verbena requires little maintenance beyond periodic watering and light pruning to maintain shape if the gardener wants bushier, less trailing growth. If the flowering begins to stall, deadhead and prune the plant back to encourage reblooming.

Pests or Diseases – Verbena plants have few significant pest or disease problems but in soggy conditions mildew can occur so be sure the soil is well-drained.

Propagating and Using Verbena in the Garden

Propagation Methods – Verbena hybrids are now being offered in seed packets which should be started indoors a few weeks before last frost. Many gardeners take summer cuttings and overwinter the stems indoors and preserve their verbena that way.

Companion Plants – Verbena combine well with other butterfly attracting plants such as Dill, Delphinium, Echinacea, Solidago and Sunflower. Consider pairing verbena with other container plants for dramatic plantings.

Seasons of Interest – Verbena is attractive through the entire growing season but does not provide winter interest.

Uses in the Garden – Verbena is perfect for containers and hanging baskets. Also use verbena in butterfly gardens, for a child’s garden for its easy care, in mixed borders, beds, or wherever a splash of mid-summer color is needed.

Popular Varieties and Cultivars of Verbena

• Verbena Aztec Series – Beautiful verbenas in red, pink, and orange; the Aztec Series verbenas reflect the beauty of the Mexican sun.
• Verbena ‘Violet Eyes’ – Soft, rosy-pink petals with darker, purple centers make this verbena a charming addition.
• Verbena ‘Imagination’ – Vivid, blue-purple, flower clusters that are profuse spring through fall.

This true verbena is different than the plant commonly called desert verbena and is a popular bedding plant in many areas.