Stunning Verbena Varieties - Discover Our Top 5 Picks for a Fragile Elegance in Edges and Containers
In the world of gardening, verbena is a popular choice for its vibrant colour palette and long-lasting blooms. This article aims to help you choose the right verbena variety for your garden, depending on your USDA zone and garden style.
For those seeking a perennial ground cover or border plant, Verbena officinalis var. grandiflora 'Bampton' is an ideal choice. Suitable for full sun and well-drained fertile soils, this variety thrives in zones 4 to 9 with drought tolerance once established. Its purple-tinged foliage and long-flowering period make it a strong addition to any garden [1].
If heat tolerance and easy growth in container gardens or as ground cover are your priorities, verbena moss is highly recommended. Although its exact hardiness zones are not specified, this variety thrives in heat and is easy to care for [2].
For structural interest in your garden, the tall Verbena bonariensis is a great choice. Attracting pollinators such as bees, this variety is well-suited for zones 7-10 but can sometimes be used as an annual in other zones. Its clusters of small purple flowers make it an excellent filler plant [4].
For spilling or trailing over containers and walls, trailing verbena (Verbena pendula) varieties like the Superbena series are perfect. These varieties provide reliable summer-long blooms and come in a wide range of colours, making them suitable for zones 4 to 9 [5].
Verbena varieties can be used for various purposes in a yard, including filling gaps in flower beds, serving as ground cover, or growing for cut flowers. For example, V. x hybrida Lanai 'Candy Cane' is compact and has a powdery mildew resistance, making it ideal for hanging baskets and container gardens [6].
Some verbena varieties are perennials, while others are better suited as annuals. For example, V. tenuisecta is typically perennial but can be grown as an annual in colder climates. It is best for ground cover and prefers a sunny position [7].
Another unique verbena variety is V. hastata f. rosea, a pink version of blue vervain. This variety displays tall, upright flower spikes and is a good choice for attracting butterflies and bees. It works well in wildflower meadow planting [8].
Rachel Bull, a gardening editor, flower grower, and floral designer with a career in journalism and floral design, recommends 'Lollipop' verbena for filling gaps in borders. This variety is popular with pollinators and will continue to flower from spring to frost if you deadhead it through the season [9].
In conclusion, with a variety of options available, choosing the right verbena variety for your garden can cater to ground cover, filler plants, or containers depending on your USDA zone and garden style. Verbena, a common flowering plant in cottage gardens, offers a long flowering period from spring to fall, making it a colourful and attractive addition to any garden.
For individuals looking to fill gaps in flower beds or by the walls of their homes-and-garden, trailing verbena (Verbena pendula) varieties are a suitable choice, providing reliable summer-long blooms in USDA zones 4 to 9.
For container gardens that require heat tolerance and easy growth, verbena moss is highly recommended, particularly in warmer climates, and does not specify any specific USDA hardiness zones.
