The verbenas bring together a diverse genus with more than 250 species herbaceous or semi-shrub plants distributed across several continents. They are highly valued plants for their flowers in corymbs or spikes, their long flowering period and their usefulness in both naturalistic gardens and in pots and hanging baskets. In addition, many offer abundant nectar for pollinators and seeds used by birds.
Main types of verbena
Among the most cultivated varieties In gardening, it is important to know their size, requirements and uses to make the right choice.
- Peruvian Verbena (Verbena peruviana): Creeping and oval leaves which form a carpet; widely used as a hanging decoration, the "Red Waterfall" selection stands out. Scarlet flowers small; multiplies easily by cuttings.
- Pink verbena or lemon balm (Verbena laciniata): South American 30-40 cm, expansive, with finely divided greyish-green leaves and blue flowers in heads.
- Tuberous verbena (Verbena rigida): Until 60 cm, erect stems from tuberous roots, fragrant oblong leaves and flowers of pale violet to red. Very tolerant to salinity and marine winds; ideal for coastal gardens. If you'd like to learn more about verbena varieties, you can check out our selection of plants for spring.
Field verbena (Verbena litoralis)
Moss verbena (Verbena tenuisecta or Glandularia tenuisecta)
vervain up to
vervain macdougalii
Verbena stricta
Verbena venous / rough / rigid
Verbena bonariensis: tall and airy
The famous verbena bonariensis provides height without blocking views thanks to its thin, stiff stems that hold purple-lilac panicles. It is a deciduous (or semi-evergreen in mild climates) perennial native to the southern South America, naturalized in many temperate regions and with tendency to self-seed. In full sun and in moist but well-drained soil blooms for long periods; it can also be seen in our . A slight pruning at medium height in summer stimulates new shoots.
Care and maintenance
- Showroom: Best in full sun. In very warm areas, V. venosa appreciates light shadow to avoid burns; those of high rods require shelter from the wind.
- Substratum: Loose, of average fertility and well-drained. V. hastata thrives even in wetlands; V. venosa tolerates soils poor and chalky.
- Irrigation: Moderate and regular in warm season. They are not ideal for extremely dry gardens; some withstand water stress by losing part of the foliage.
- Pruning: Vivaces (except V. tenuisecta) a 2-3 cm from the ground at the end of winter. For reflowering, cut back V. venosa in summer and V. tenuisecta in autumn.
- Multiplication: If reseed spontaneously; also by division at the end of winter and cuttings.
- Plagues and diseases: Generally healthy; excessive summer watering favors mushrooms.
Verbenas for pots and intensive gardening
vervain rigida It excels on edges, slopes, low walls and rockeries, and works very well in flower pot in the company of Crocosmia, Pennisetum, Dahlia or Achillea. It prefers full sun and warm climates, withstands moderate frosts, loses leaves with the cold and sprouts again in spring. Floor well drained with organic matter; moderate watering without flooding, organic fertilizer at the beginning of spring and light pruning post-flowering. Sensitive to excessive humidity (risk of mushrooms). By seed, sow in spring with light coverage and initial darkness on a moist substrate.
For ornamental production, series such as Tapien, Tenerini TM y Temari/Temari Patio They offer carpeting or hanging habits. They require geranium-type substrate with 10% clay and initial fertilizer (1-1,5 kg/m³), pH 5,5-6,5, lots of light and long days (>12 h). After rooting, maintain minimum 14-16 ºC and avoid excessive watering (risk of root asphyxia). They need irrigation constants (they do not tolerate drought: flowering may cease and the center may turn yellow). In fertigation, balance 15:5:25 at 1 g/L two to three times per week; for chlorosis, iron chelate. In a container, use 1 plant in 8-14 cm pots or 3 plants in hanging baskets 20-25 cm; planting is adjusted from mid-winter to spring depending on size.
Selection of compact cultivars
Improvement programs have obtained verbenas with bright colors and high resistance. Between them, Sweet Coral (very vigorous, approx. 40 cm tall and >50 cm in diameter, large coral flowers with white halo), Extreme Violet (evergreen, foliage persistent in winter, intense violet flowers, semi-erect bearing of about 40x45 cm) and Hana Magenta (architecture very compact, up to 10 cm tall and 35 cm in diameter, fuchsia/magenta flowers with small whitish eye and prolonged flowering). Other lines are added such as Extreme Red, Alba o NatalĂ Rosa for flowerbeds and pots.
Knowing species, cultivars and their sun, soil and water needs, it is easy to design combinations that provide continuous color, light structure and benefits for wildlife, both in naturalistic gardens and on balconies and terraces.