Growing garden verbena - a simple and fun process. This is a picky perennial plant that will become a real decoration of the flower bed. Verbena has a long flowering period. With the timely removal of faded buds, it is possible to maintain the attractiveness of the crop almost until frost. To achieve good results, verbena should be provided with quality care.
General description of verbena
Verbena is a herbaceous and semi-shrub crop that is actively used for decorative purposes. Today there are about 120 varieties of this plant. In this case, gardeners can choose annual or perennial crops.
The key advantage of the culture is its unpretentiousness. It easily tolerates exposure to low temperatures and can withstand frosts down to -4 degrees. The crop is planted in open ground or a hanging variety is selected for growing in pots.
The height of the bushes can reach 1-1.2 meters. The stems are different. There are creeping and prostrate options. Verbena can also be erect, smooth or drooping.
The appearance of the leaves is also different. They can have the following varieties:
- solid;
- dissected;
- rarely - whorled;
- toothed;
- incised;
- oval-elongated.
The flowers are also varied. They can be collected in clusters, ears or panicles. In appearance, the flowers resemble a five-toothed calyx or a five-lobed corolla.
What colors can it be?
The color range of these charming plants is striking in its diversity. There are such shades of culture:
- blue;
- dark blue;
- white;
- yellow;
- pink;
- white.
Popular varieties and types
Verbena is a popular perennial. However, in regions characterized by a temperate climate, the crop is cultivated as an annual one. Today, many types of verbena are known, which differ in appearance and basic characteristics.
Lemon
This fragrant shrub reaches 1.5-2 meters in height. It has olive-brown stems that begin to branch from the very base. They are covered with whorls of whole, bright green leaves.If you rub the foliage, a pleasant spicy smell will appear, in which citrus and mint notes are felt. That is why the variety is called lemon.
Buenos Aires
This variety of verbena is considered tall. It reaches 1.2-1.5 meters in height. Verbena Buenos Aires produces many shoots that are highly durable and easily support many inflorescences. The culture does not require tying up.
The Buenos Aires variety has small flowers of a lilac-lilac hue. They form umbrella inflorescences. The culture blooms until late autumn. It is worth collecting seeds in mid-September. When growing a plant in seedlings, it will begin to bloom in July. If you sow the seeds directly into the soil in May, the crop will bloom in August.
This plant is grown in different types of soil. It easily tolerates slight shade. In favorable conditions, it will be possible to obtain large openwork bushes, which reach 1-1.5 meters in diameter. Although this plant is considered a perennial, it is often grown as an annual.
Bonarskaya
This subshrub has erect stems. They reach 1-1.2 meters in height. Bonar verbena is actively used for decorative purposes. The shoots have a slightly branched structure. They are covered with lacy emerald-colored leaves and dense purple inflorescences.
Hybrid Ideal
This beautiful hybrid variety is considered low growing. It reaches 30 centimeters in height. The color range of plants is striking in its diversity. Verbena variety Ideal has blue, red, white, pink flowers. Cherry and lilac shades are also found.
The plant has many spherical inflorescences. Their diameter does not exceed 5 centimeters. The plant is characterized by rapid vegetative growth.Flowering begins in June and continues until October. The culture is actively used to decorate flower beds and create floral compositions.
Finely dissected
This variety of verbena is also called swamp verbena. It grows in South America as a weed. The plant is characterized by split leaves. Finely cut verbena has delicate lilac flowers. Their diameter is 1.4-1.5 centimeters. The culture has creeping stems.
Tough
The plant got its name due to the characteristics of its leaves. They are tough and have sharp tips. The culture begins to bloom in July. This process continues until September. Verbena of this variety is distinguished by lilac flowers that form hemispherical inflorescences. The culture is resistant to frost. It reaches 35-45 centimeters in height.
Spear-shaped
The homeland of this culture is North America. There it grows along the banks of rivers and lakes. Therefore, it is recommended to grow the plant in moist soils that have a rich composition. Verbena can survive winter in the ground only in Europe.
The plant looks elegant. It reaches 1.5 meters in height. The culture has small purple or blue flowers that form elongated inflorescences. They are shaped like a spear. That is why verbena received the name spear-shaped. It serves as a real decoration for gardens in a natural style.
Hybrid Quirk
This variety was created based on several species. This is a herbaceous plant that does not exceed 50 centimeters in height. The culture produces many side shoots. The leaves are covered with small fluff and are shaped like a triangle. The Quirk variety has a wide color palette.
The variety was obtained from several species.The plant is herbaceous, its height reaches 50 centimeters, and has many side shoots.
Straight
This verbena is considered relatively winter-hardy. It is widespread in the central United States. A characteristic feature of the culture is the grayish leaves. Straight verbena has lavender inflorescences that resemble a spikelet in shape. The culture can easily withstand a temperate climate provided it is covered for the winter.
Julia
The plant of this variety is covered with violet-purple flowers, in the center of which there are white eyes. The culture begins to bloom in the second half of June. The height of the bush plant reaches 40 centimeters.
Mammut
This is one of the oldest varieties. Its flowers, unlike many modern hybrids, have a pronounced aroma. The plant is distinguished by creeping stems, the length of which reaches 50 centimeters. The inflorescences are large and have a slightly elongated shape. This plant is great for planting in pots and flowerpots.
Etna
This is a bush plant that reaches 0.5 meters in height. It is characterized by dense inflorescences that are shaped like an umbrella. The flowers are small and have a bright red hue. Inside there is a star-shaped cream-colored peephole. The culture begins to bloom quite early - already in May.
Plant selection criteria
To purchase verbena seedlings, you should contact a specialized store. The consultant will give detailed instructions regarding growing the plant.
You will also be able to get advice regarding the variety of verbena. It is recommended to choose it depending on your tasks. Verbena is actively used for decorating borders, creating alpine slides, and planting in flowerpots.
Popular types of culture include:
- Large-flowered.These are tall plants that reach 45 centimeters. The stems can be erect or creep along the ground. The inflorescences form baskets. The most popular varieties of this species include: Etna, Julia, Cardinal.
- Compact. These are hybrid varieties that have a small height - no more than 25 centimeters. The culture is characterized by a neat crown and small peduncles. These varieties are great for decorating small flower beds, borders or paths. Popular representatives of the category include: Crystal, Dazler, Amethyst.
Regardless of the choice of variety, verbena will become a real decoration of the flower bed. It is also used for decoration after cutting. This plant retains its beautiful appearance for 10-15 days.
The use of verbena in landscape design
Most often, verbena is used to decorate flower beds, garden plots, and flower beds. It is used for all kinds of group plantings. Verbena often decorates balconies and loggias. It is planted in gazebos or placed on verandas. Pots with this plant effectively decorate summer pavilions.
Verbena is often used in landscape design due to its wide range of colors. This culture can be combined with any other flowers. It looks great with simple wildflowers and exotic plants.
Verbena is a very popular plant that serves as a real decoration for garden plots and flower beds. To choose the right variety of this crop, it is worth considering its purpose. The plant differs in height, appearance of leaves, shades of flowers.
