Verbenas are often seen flowers in the
summer months as they are used in seasonal planting and treated as
half-hardy annuals.
Many are actually perennials however and
they are hardier than you might think. Those zones given on this page as
being from 7-11 are more flexible if you can plant them in sheltered
part of the garden. If experimenting however don't try them unless you
can afford to lose the plant, they are not reliably hardy in
zones below 7. Mulch well if there is a risk of frosts.
Verbenas are wonderfully vibrant and
floriferous summer plants in a range of colors from white, through pinks
to red and purple shades. The flowers are borne in long-lasting clusters
with new flowers opening from the edge of the cluster inwards giving the
impression of being even longer lasting.
Even if you can't plant them out in the
garden, they can be readily overwintered under glass for protection and
used for cuttings in late summer to provide more plants for the next
year.
Many Verbenas have a habit that lends
them to container planting which is usually where they are at their
best. Some are upright while other have a more lax habit making them
ideal candidates for hanging baskets.
They appreciate the privileged conditions
in a container and if fed regularly and deadheaded often, will respond
by producing masses of flower clusters made up of dozens of individual blooms
all season long from late spring to fall or until you bring them in for
the winter. Keep them fairly dry in the winter watering only sparingly.
Watch for powdery mildew as most Verbenas
are susceptible to this although there are now a range of resistant
types available.
