How to Grow a Trailing Verbena
Trailing verbena is a hardy perennial in the United States Department of Agriculture zones 9 thought 11. For people living in zones 3 through 8, this plant is grown in gardens as an annual. Trailing verbena is grown as a groundcover or as a border plant, or they can be grown in containers. Depending on the verbena you choose, they can grow to lengths of 1 to 4 feet in length. The white, pink, blue or violet flowers appear in the spring, and the plant continues to bloom into the fall. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Garden fork
- Compost
- Potting soil (optional)
- Trowel
- Water-soluble fertilizer
Instructions
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Find an area that has full sun exposure. Plant the trailing verbena in the spring after all danger of frost is past.
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2
Dig up the garden soil with a garden fork. Amend the soil with 3 to 4 inches of compost to lighten the soil and provide nutrients to the soil. Rake the garden area level and remove any rocks, sticks or other debris in the soil. If you are planting them in containers, fill the container with potting soil. Leave 1/2 inch of space between the soil and the rim of the planter.
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3
Dig a hole with a trowel that is twice as wide as the root ball, but keep the depth the same. Space the plants a foot apart.
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4
Remove the plant from the container. If it is growing in a cell pack, gently squeeze the bottom of the cell with your fingers and the root ball will release.
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5
Insert the root ball into the hole. Holding onto the plant, backfill the soil in the hole, leaving the top of the root ball level with the ground. Firm the soil around the plant with your hands.
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6
Water the trailing verbena thoroughly to a depth of 5 inches. After that, only water when the soil is dry. To test the soil, stick your finger into the soil to your first knuckle to feel for water content. If watering a container, add water until it comes out the bottom drainage holes.
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7
Deadhead the blossoms as they fade to promote more flowers. This helps the plant to flower for a longer time.
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8
Feed the trailing verbena with a water-soluble fertilizer once a year. Apply the fertilizer after the verbena reaches 4 inches tall.
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