Year of the Verbena

In the Garden

Ralph Purkhiser, Purdue University Master Gardener

 

     As we continue our look at the National Garden Bureau’s flower recognitions, we find that in the annual flower category, 2022 is the Year of Verbena.  A true annual is a plant which grows from seed, flowers and sets new seed all in the same growing season.  Some verbena species qualify as true annuals.  However, other species are really tender perennials, but most are hardy only in zone 10 or above, so they are treated as annuals when grown in Indiana.  I have had a few very hardy cultivars return after mild winters, but that is a rare occasion.   

     Verbena is also known as vervain, especially in Europe, but there are other genera that also have been called vervains.  The herb, lemon verbena, is not a true verbena either, so the names can get a little confusing.

     Verbenas bear flowers with five petals in tight clusters.  The petals occur in shades of purple, pink and white, with bi-color flowers quite common.  They begin flowering in late spring or early summer and continue until frost.  Deadheading spent blooms will keep the flowers coming better, as it prevents the plant from making seeds and completing the life cycle for an annual.  If a plant gets a little leggy late in the season, cutting back the whole plant by a third will stimulate new growth and new flowers.

      Most verbenas are trailing plants and are often used in hanging baskets.  However, the latest breeding efforts have produced some bush varieties that work better as landscape fillers.  Since they flower freely for months, they are a wonderful addition to perennial borders to ensure there are flowers all summer.  Those clusters of flowers are veritable nectar factories, so verbenas are natural plants to include in pollinator gardens.  That also makes them a good choice to use as fillers in the vegetable garden, where they will attract pollinators needed for food production.

     Verbena is actually easy to grow.  At least six hours of sun each day is needed for the best flowering.  Verbena needs moist soil, will not tolerate soggy conditions.  Some compost or a slow-release fertilizer mixed in at planting time will generally be all the fertilization needed for the season.  Some of the older varieties are susceptible to powdery mildew, but the newer hybrids are resistant.  About the only insect pest that bothers verbena are spider mites.  A good blast with the water hose will usually dislodge them.  If further treatment is necessary, use a horticultural soap.

     Verbena is easy to grow from seed, but vegetatively-produced starts are readily available in most garden centers in the spring.  With a couple of six-packs of assorted verbenas, you will have a garden full of flowers and bees in no time at all.  Be sure to take part in the Year of Verbena this up-coming growing season.

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