15 best varieties of garden verbena with characteristics and descriptions
Growing garden verbena is a simple and fun process. This is a picky perennial plant that will become a real decoration of the flower bed. Verbena has a long flowering period. With the timely removal of wilted buds, it is possible to maintain the attractiveness of the culture almost until the very frosts. To achieve good results, vervain is worth providing quality care.
General description of verbena
Verbena is a herbaceous and semi-shrub culture that is actively used for decorative purposes. Today there are about 120 varieties of this plant. In this case, gardeners can choose annual or perennial crops.
The key advantage of culture is its simplicity. It can easily endure exposure to low temperatures and is able to withstand frosts down to -4 degrees. The culture is planted in open ground or an ampelous variety is chosen for growing in pots.
In height, the bushes can reach 1-1.2 meters. The stems are different. There are creeping and prostrate options. Also, vervain is erect, smooth or lowered.
The appearance of the leaves is also different. They can be of the following varieties:
- whole;
- dissected;
- rarely whorled;
- toothed;
- incised;
- oval-elongated.
Flowers also differ in variety. They can gather in clusters, ears or panicles. In appearance, the flowers resemble a five-toothed calyx or a five-lobed corolla.
What colors can be?
The color range of these charming plants is striking in its variety. There are such shades of culture:
- blue;
- dark blue;
- white;
- yellow;
- pink;
- white.
Popular varieties and types
Verbena is a popular perennial. However, in regions that are characterized by a temperate climate, the crop is cultivated as an annual one. Today, many types of verbena are known, which differ in appearance and basic characteristics.
Lemon
This fragrant shrub reaches 1.5-2 meters in height. It has olive-brown stems that branch out from the very base. They are covered with whorls of whole bright green leaves. If you rub the foliage, a pleasant spicy scent will appear, in which citrus and mint notes are felt. That is why the variety is called lemon.
Buenos Aires
This type of verbena is considered to be tall. In height, it reaches 1.2-1.5 meters. Verbena Buenos Aires produces many shoots that are highly durable and can easily hold many inflorescences.Culture does not require tying.
The Buenos Aires variety has small purple-lilac flowers. They form umbellate inflorescences. The culture blooms until late autumn. It is worth collecting seeds in mid-September. When growing a plant in seedlings, it will begin to bloom in July. If seeds are sown directly into the soil in May, the culture will bloom in August.
This plant is grown on different types of soil. It tolerates small shadows with ease. In favorable conditions, it will be possible to obtain large openwork bushes, which reach 1-1.5 meters in diameter. Although considered a perennial plant, it is often grown as an annual.
Bonar
This shrub has erect stems. In height, they reach 1-1.2 meters. Bonar verbena is actively used for decorative purposes. Shoots are characterized by a weakly branched structure. They are covered with openwork emerald leaves and dense purple inflorescences.
Hybrid Ideal
This beautiful hybrid variety is considered to be undersized. In height, it reaches 30 centimeters. The color range of plants is striking in its diversity. Verbena variety Ideal has blue, red, white, pink flowers. There are also cherry and lilac shades.
The plant has many spherical inflorescences. Their diameter does not exceed 5 centimeters. The plant is characterized by rapid vegetative growth. Flowering begins in June and lasts until October. The culture is actively used to decorate flower beds and create floral compositions.
Thinly dissected
This verbena variety is also called marsh verbena. It grows like a weed in South America. The plant is characterized by split leaves. The thinly cut verbena has delicate purple flowers. Their diameter is 1.4-1.5 centimeters. The culture has creeping stems.
Hard
The plant got its name due to the characteristics of the leaves. They are tough and have sharp tips. The culture begins to bloom in July. This process continues until September. Verbena of this variety is distinguished by lilac flowers that form hemispherical inflorescences. The culture is resistant to frost. In height, it reaches 35-45 centimeters.
Spear-shaped
The homeland of this culture is North America. There it grows along the banks of rivers and lakes. Therefore, it is recommended to grow the plant on moist soils that have a rich composition. Verbena can survive the winter in soil only in Europe.
The plant looks graceful. It reaches 1.5 meters in height. The culture has small purple or blue flowers that form elongated inflorescences. They resemble a spear in shape. That is why vervain is called lance-shaped. It serves as a real decoration of gardens in a natural style.
Hybrid Quirk
This variety was created from several species. It is a herbaceous plant that does not exceed 50 centimeters in height. The culture gives a lot of side shoots. The leaves are covered with a small fluff and are similar in shape to a triangle. The Fiddler variety has a wide color palette.
The variety has been derived from several species. The plant is herbaceous, its height reaches 50 centimeters, has many lateral shoots.
Straight
This verbena is considered relatively hardy. It is widespread in the center of the United States. Grayish leaves are considered a characteristic feature of the culture. Straight verbena has lavender inflorescences that resemble a spikelet in shape. The culture can easily withstand a temperate climate, provided it is sheltered for the winter.
Julia
The plant of this variety is covered with purple-purple flowers, in the center of which are white eyes. The culture begins to bloom in the second half of June. In height, the bush plant reaches 40 centimeters.
Mammut
This is one of the oldest varieties. Its flowers, unlike many modern hybrids, have a pronounced aroma. The plant is distinguished by creeping stems, the length of which reaches 50 centimeters. The inflorescences are large and slightly elongated. This plant is great for planting in pots and flowerpots.
Etna
It is a bush plant that grows up to 0.5 meters in height. It is characterized by dense inflorescences that resemble an umbrella in shape. The flowers are small and have a bright red hue. Inside is a cream-colored star-shaped eyelet. The culture begins to bloom quite early - already in May.
Plant selection criteria
To purchase verbena seedlings, you should contact a specialized store. The consultant will give detailed instructions for growing the plant.
You will also be able to get advice on the type of verbena. It is recommended to choose it depending on your tasks. Verbena is actively used to decorate borders, create an alpine slide, and plant in pots.
Popular types of culture include:
- Large-flowered. These are tall plants that reach 45 centimeters. The stems can be erect or run along the ground. Inflorescences form baskets. The most popular varieties of this type are: Etna, Julia, Cardinal.
- Compact. These are hybrid varieties that have a small height - no more than 25 centimeters. The culture is characterized by a neat crown and small peduncles. These varieties are great for decorating small flower beds, curbs or paths. Popular representatives of the category include: Crystal, Dazler, Amethyst.
Regardless of the choice of variety, verbena will become a real decoration of the flower bed. It is also used for decoration and after cutting. This plant retains its excellent appearance for 10-15 days.
The use of verbena in landscape design
Most often, verbena is used to decorate flower beds, garden plots, flower beds. It is used for all kinds of group landings. Verbena often decorates balconies and loggias. She is planted in gazebos or placed on verandas. Planters with this plant effectively decorate summer pavilions.
Verbena is often used in landscape design due to its wide range of colors. This culture can be combined with any other flowers. It looks great with simple wildflowers and exotic plants.
Verbena is a very popular plant that serves as a real decoration for gardens and flower beds. To choose the right variety of this culture, it is worth considering its purpose. The plant differs in height, appearance of leaves, shades of flowers.
