❚ All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more.

How to grow verbena

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Sow
Plant
Flowers
Cut back

Hardy garden verbena varieties include the popular Verbena bonariensis and its shorter-growing cultivar 'Lollipop', along with architectural Verbena hastata and Verbena rigida, which works well in pots. Tender verbenas are best grown as annuals, and are perfect for bedding schemes and hanging baskets.

How to grow verbena

Most verbena varieties do well in moist but free-draining soil in a sunny, sheltered position. Leave flowers of hardier types to develop seedheads for the birds and, in mild regions, cut them back before growth starts again in spring.

In colder regions, take cuttings to propagate new verbena plants in case they don't survive winter. Dig up and compost bedding verbenas in autumn – you'll need to replace them with new plants the following spring.

Where to plant verbenas

Verbena bonariensis and Ipomoea lobata — *Verbena bonariensis* and *Ipomoea lobata*

Grow verbenas in moderately fertile, free-draining soil in full sun. Low-growing and bedding varieties work well in bedding schemes and pots, while taller verbena varieties, including Verbena bonariensis and Verbena hastata, work well at the back of the border or in prairie-style planting schemes.

How to plant verbena

Sowing Verbena bonariensis seeds in pots — Sowing verbena seeds in a pot

Sow verbena seeds from late winter to spring, using modules or small pots filled with peat-free seed compost. Keep these in a propagator or under glass.

Pot on into individual pots when the seedlings are large enough to handle, and then plant them out where they are to flower, after the danger of frost has passed.

How to care for verbena

Verbena officinalis var. grandiflora — *Verbena officinalis* var. *grandiflora* 'Bampton'

Tall varieties of verbena don't need staking, despite their height, as their stems are stiff and wiry. Deadheading some species will increase the flowering season, although most perennial varieties will flower until the first frosts anyway.

Take cuttings of some of the more tender varieties as an insurance against winter loss. Hardier varieties may self seed in milder regions.

How to take verbena cuttings

Some of the hardier perennial verbenas, such as Verbena bonariensis, look good left standing after the flowering period has ended, and their seedheads provide food for birds. In colder regions, protecting the roots with a generous mulch of straw or well-rotted manure will protect them from frost.

Cut back Verbena bonariensis and other perennial verbenas in spring, removing the old stems as new shoots start to show at the base of the plant.

Growing verbena: problem solving

Most verbenas grow well with few problems, although powdery mildew can be an issue with the more tender, bedding varieties. This is visible as a white powdery growth on the surface of the leaves – remove these to stop the infection spreading. Keep plants well watered to avoid this problem altogether, and ensure plenty of ventilation around the plants, particularly if growing them indoors.

Hardier verbenas are generally trouble free, although in hot and dry conditions, they can self-seed too successfully and may become invasive.

Advice on buying verbena

There are several varieties to choose from – check height and spread before investing, so you have the right plant for the right spot

Verbenas are available from garden centres but you'll find a wider range at specialist nurseries or online

Always check over plants for signs of damage or disease before buying and planting

Where to buy verbenas

Crocus

Dobies

Primrose

Thompson & Morgan

Verbena varieties to try

Verbena macdougalii 'Lavender Spires' — *Verbena macdougalii* 'Lavender Spires'

Verbena bonariensis – flat purple heads of nectar-rich flowers bloom on wiry stems until the first frosts. H x S: 2. x 45cm

Buy Verbena bonariensis from Dobies

Verbena hastata – long-flowering perennial with slender, branched spires of pink flowers. Height x Spread: 1.5m x 60cm

Buy Verbena hastata from Crocus

Verbena officinalis var. grandiflora 'Bampton' – small pink flowers are borne on purple-flushed stems. Perfect for naturalising in borders. H x S: 1m x 75cm

Buy Verbena officinalis var. grandiflora 'Bampton' from Primrose

Verbena rigida – a low-growing verbena perfect for growing in pots and hanging baskets. Purple or magenta flowers are born in clusters from June to September. H x S: 60cm x 40cm

Buy Verbena rigida from Thompson & Morgan

Frequently asked questions

Can my verbena be moved?

Verbena bonariensis can be moved in spring, but it might be easier to propagate new plants by taking cuttings in autumn or growing from seed in spring. Smaller plants are likely to transplant more successfully than larger, older plants.

Is my Verbena bonariensis dead?

Verbena bonariensis will die back over winter and should begin to show new growth in spring. If your Verbena bonariensis plants die over winter, they may have succumbed to cold, wet conditions. If you struggle to keep plants alive in the colder months, taking cuttings in autumn ensures you have new plants ready for spring.