In order for the verbena to thrive and form its many small decorative flowers, the plant needs not only optimal care but also the ideal location. How this looks like is explained in the article.

In a nutshell

  • best site conditions in full sun and sheltered from the wind
  • a shady location is at the expense of flowering
  • Verbena is not hardy
  • Soil texture permeable, light and moist
  • Cultivation in tubs as well as in beds is possible

appearance and growth

There are different types of Verbena (Verbena) belonging to the vervain family. Therefore, the term verbena is not uncommon when the verbs are meant. Some species grow upright, others crawl along the ground:

  • herbaceous plants
  • always annual
  • subshrubs
  • from creeping up to 1.20 meters high
  • Flowering from June to October
  • all flower colors except yellow
  • give off a spicy scent
  • Stem is square
  • Leaves are serrated

location claims

Even if the verbena is considered relatively undemanding, it still has very specific requirements for the chosen location. In addition to care, this decides how many flowers are formed:

  • full sun
  • sheltered from the wind
  • new breeds can also cope with wind
  • light penumbra is still accepted
  • warm place guarantees abundant flowering
  • no problem with high heat

Notice: If the verbena comes to a shady place, it is not to be expected that the plant will form flowers. Because the darker it is at the chosen location and the less sunlight falls here, the poorer the site conditions are and the sooner the verbena will not bloom.

soil condition

The condition of the soil in the chosen location is also important for the plants to thrive and for abundant flowering:

  • light soil
  • always moderately moist
  • However, avoid waterlogging
  • mix heavy clay soils with gravel or sand
  • Soil becomes more permeable
  • pH should be slightly acidic
  • but a neutral ground is also assumed

Cultivate in the bed

The annual verbena can of course also be cultivated outdoors. It becomes particularly decorative when different types of verbena with many different flower colors find a place together. However, you have to pay attention to the growth height, so that no high-growing plants overgrow the creeping ones:

  • in the sunny front yard
  • in a sunny rock garden
  • Cottage garden is ideal
  • in front of a low fence
  • as a bed border

Notice: If you want to plant the decorative plants on a grave, then light shade should definitely prevail here. Unfortunately, these site conditions are often not given in cemeteries.

tub cultivation

It can make sense to cultivate verbena in a bucket or balcony box in the local latitudes. Because the pot with the verbena can always be placed in the right place:

  • pre-fertilized, ordinary potting soil is sufficient
  • sunny place on balcony or terrace
  • a south-facing balcony is ideal
  • a terrace facing south
  • creeping varieties in a hanging basket

Tip: If the vessels with the verbena are to be placed on a covered terrace, then Sie put them as close as possible to the exit to the garden. With a covered balcony, it is advisable to hang the pots on the balcony railing

frequently asked Questions

Do verbena tolerate a change of location?

Since the plants in our latitudes are cultivated in the bed as annuals, a change of location is not advisable if they have been cultivated in a shady garden bed. Here it makes more sense to cultivate the plants in full sun next year. Potted plants can be moved at any time. However, this should be done slowly, step by step, so that the leaves do not burn immediately when they come into contact with the sun after a long period in the shade.

Can verbena stay outside in winter?

Since verbena is an annual plant, it dies with the first frost. Therefore, with a plant cultivated in the bed, it is not necessary to protect it from winter. However, plants cultivated in tubs can be brought to a frost-free, bright and not too warm place to overwinter them here. However, hibernation is usually not worthwhile, since the plants are then over the year and become flowering lazy as a result. However, cuttings from late summer can be overwintered.

Can I also cultivate my verbena in semi-shade?

That is of course possible, the plants will also grow here without much sun. In such a case, however, you have to accept that the flowers will be smaller. Verbena is originally at home in South Africa and is therefore best able to cope with the climatic conditions prevailing there.

Can I plant my Verbena in mixed culture?

The decorative plants can be cultivated alone or together with many other plants. Window boxes in particular look particularly beautiful when they are planted with a mixture of verbena, begonias (Begonia), magic bells (Calibrachoa), vanilla flowers (Heliotropium arborescens) and petunias (Petunia). In a mixed culture, you should always pay attention to the different forms of the verbena, so that they fit together with the plant partners.

Category:

Vegetable garden