How to Care for Verbena Flowers

Verbena flowers are a favorite of gardeners for their showy, fragrant blooms, range of bright colors and ability to attract butterflies. Originally natives of Great Britain, verbenas are found throughout the United States and are particularly hearty in the hot southwest. They are drought and heat tolerant, require little maintenance and continually produce blossoms. Whether planted in a container, window box, rock garden or flower bed, verbenas require a few simple things.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Fertilizer
• Prunning Shears

Instructions

1. Plant your verbena in the sun. Though they will tolerate partial shade, the biggest blooms come from eight to ten hours of full sun a day.

2. Keep the soil well-drained. If you're growing verbena in a container, make drainage holes in the bottom of the container or add a layer of gravel beneath the soil.

3. Lightly prune your plants after an initial bloom. Cut off about a quarter of the top growth to encourage more flowering.

4. Fertilize monthly. Though verbenas don't need particularly rich soil, a monthly application of fertilizer keeps your plant growing strong.

Tips & Warnings

• Mix and match Verbena varieties for a bright patch of garden. Flowers usually come in red, purple, white, yellow, orange, and peach with cream colored eyes.

• If soil is not well-drained, mildew can occur. This mildew can be fatal to verbena.

References

• Gardener's Net
• Plant Answers