How to Care for a Verbena Plant

Verbenas provide a colorful accent to a rock garden.

In its first season, the verbena provides a multitude of colorful blossoms, ideal for flower beds, edging and ground cover. The flower colors include white, pink, red, blue, purple and lavender, some with white centers. For maximum flowering potential and overall health, plant the verbena in the sunniest location of the garden, in well-draining soil. Without these conditions, the verbena becomes highly vulnerable to powdery mildew. Ideally, the plant needs about eight to 10 hours of direct daily sunshine.

Things You'll Need

• Flexible line trimmer
• Fertilizer
• Garden hose or drip-irrigation system

Instructions

1. Irrigate verbena once a week, in the morning, in weeks without one or more inches of rainfall. Apply the water slowly, directly to the soil, and avoid overhead watering. Water thoroughly, yet do not make the area swampy or muddy.

2. Fertilize monthly during the growing season, using approximately one pound of a slow-release, complete fertilizer per 100 square feet, and following the instructions from the fertilizer manufacturer. A complete fertilizer contains all three of the primary plant nutrients--phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen.

3. Prune the plant with a flexible line trimmer, cutting off about a quarter of the top growth, removing flowers while not exposing the main stems. Do this two or three times during the season, after the flowers begin showing signs of wilting.

Tips & Warnings

• If using a flexible line trimmer for pruning makes you nervous, or you're inexperienced, use a sharp, rust-free hand pruning tool, such as bypass scissors. Sanitize the blades by wiping with rubbing alcohol before and after pruning to avoid spreading plant disease.

References

• "Annual"; James Crockett; 1971
• Texas Cooperative Extension: Verbena, Queen of Summer Beauty
• Clemson University Extension: Verbena
• North Carolina State University: Pruning Basics