

Fertilize container grown plants either with a controlled-release fertilizer, or with a liquid fertilizer once a month. Verbenas, especially the trailing and moss types, grow very well in containers. However, some species can re-seed and naturalize in the garden. Most verbenas are short-lived, so you should plan on replacing them after two or three years. Overly severe fall pruning can reduce cold hardiness and plants may not survive a cold winter. In the fall you can trim back verbenas lightly to give a neater appearance to the garden, but do not cut severely until spring as new growth begins to appear. Plants growing in very sandy, poor soil may need more frequent fertilization. The plant will return to bloom within 2 to 3 weeks.Ī light application of a complete fertilizer such as 16-4-8 in mid- to late spring and again after trimming back will revitalize plants, but additional fertilization is not generally required. If bloom slows during the summer, trim the whole plant back by about one fourth of its height and spread, water thoroughly and fertilize lightly. During their blooming period, give them a thorough watering once a week if they do not receive an inch of rain that week. While established verbenas are drought tolerant, performance, bloom, and growth rate will be reduced if they are too dry for a long period. Newly planted verbenas will need to be kept moist for the first few weeks until the roots have spread into the surrounding soil. Pinch the tips of the branches at planting time to encourage dense branching and a fuller plant. They may also be planted in the fall in the Coastal region. Verbenas are best planted in the spring or summer in the upstate and piedmont regions of South Carolina. Most problems of verbenas occur in improper growing conditions. They will not tolerate overcrowding with poor air circulation, shade or soil that stays overly moist.
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Verbenas require a location that receives full sun throughout the day. Flower color ranges from white through pink, red, lavender, blue and purple. Verbenas are mainly grown for their remarkable length of bloom with most blooming from spring until close to frost if trimmed back once or twice in mid summer. If plants outgrow their assigned space, they tolerate trimming back well. Some varieties, such as ‘Homestead Purple’, are extremely vigorous. Verbenas generally grow moderately to quickly, and unlike many perennials, bloom well the first season after planting. Verbena rigida usually grows 1 to 1½ feet tall, while purpletop vervain and the native blue verbena can reach 4 to 5 feet tall, but only a foot or two in width. The ground skimming moss verbena and trailing verbena reach 1 foot or less in height and spread from 2 to 5 feet wide. Karen Russ, ©2007 HGIC, Clemson Extensionīedding type annual verbenas raised from seed do not do well in hot, humid climates, while most of the perennial or vegetatively propagated types are well adapted to growing in South Carolina heat and humidity.
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See: How to Control Spider Mites.‘Homestead Purple’ Verbena ( Glandularia canadensis), known for its long bloom season. Avoid chemical insecticides that can harm pollinators. If you notice spider-web-like netting on your plants and the leaves look discolored, try spraying the foliage with a strong stream of water or use an insecticidal soap.

When issues do arise, they are usually due to not enough sunlight or poorly drained soil. One of the most fuss-free flowering plants you can grow, verbena suffers from few pest or disease problems.
