Question about verbena bonariensis

13 years ago

I love this plant. Several summers I bought the small plants from a nursery, but they don't always get them in. Recently, I bought some seeds. I'm in zone 5. Would it work just to scatter the seeds where I want them, and grow them that way, or would they need a longer growing season?

Thanks.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (13)

luvahydrangea
13 years ago
I love it too, and have never seen it in a nursery. Except last year, they were in a huge potted arrangement and there were only 3.

I'm growing it from seed for the first time this year. Everything I've read, indicates to it needing a long summer, which in zone 5 we do not have. So I started mine inside back in February. They are slow to germinate, and need cool temperatures at night and light/warmth during the day to germinate. If you can I would start them inside to ensure you get blooms!
Tony G
13 years ago
Hi Catherine,

last year I bought 3 mail order plants from Lone Willow farm in may. They bloomed quickly and I was extremely satisfied with my purchase. If it doesn't come back, I will definitely order from them again.

http://lwfperennials.com/product_info.php?products_id=399
Related Discussions
Verbena bonariensis
Q
Comments (13)
Yes, that's true about goldfinches! I have seen them on it many times this year. I did once see this at a nursery I frequent, growing in a small crack of pavement. :p I was wishing I had my camera with me that day to take a picture for you guys. I didn't have any seedlings, that I noticed, this year. I would be happy to send seeds to anyone who wants some, but you'd have to give me very detailed instructions on collection. I have looked at this a few times to see if I could figure out where the seeds are. I think they must be tiny, like butterfly bush seeds.
...See More
White powdery mildew on Verbena Bonariensis
Q
Comments (2)
You need to work out what has been causing the powdery mildew. This is because the two principal causes of powdery mildew are: (1) an excess of water; (2) a lack of water. This year in London we have had significant problems with powdery mildew, partly on verbena bonariensis but notably on dahlias. It has been caused by drought. The solution has been simple enough: water. But it is essential to water the soil only, not the plants, because an excess of water on and around the leaves is as sure a cause of powdery mildew as a lack of water on and around the roots. That is why powdery mildew can be caused by both wet/humid and dry weather. In the short term, plants can be treated with a sulphur/fatty acid spray, but this will only prevent the further growth of the powdery mildew fungus, not kill what is already there. Members of the Organic forum have also suggested a milk solution (something like 10% milk to 90% water) as a foliage spray for the early morning (so that the sun then dries the leaves) but I have not tried this yet myself. At this stage of the growing season, however, I can't see any point doing anything. In the long term, repeated attacks of powdery mildew would suggest that you are growing plants in the wrong place (a conclusion I am reluctanting reaching with respect to my dahlias).
...See More
verbena bonariensis
Q
Comments (3)
It will reseed, Helen, but those seedlings may be slow to bloom because they get a late start, ime. They are, however, fairly easy to start in a container outside. I sowed some a month or so ago in a clear plastic deli container and have a little forest of seedlings growing now, outside where they'll stay even through the cold nights. I've got a few extra seed and would be willing to send you some, Helen, if you pm me with your address.
...See More
Verbena-on-a-Stick ~ Verbena bonariensis
Q
Comments (0)
Image by: wintersown This lovely reseeding annual produce lavender-colored flower clusters atop tall wirey stems. It is a butterfly magnet. Seed collection is easy. Allow the flowers to fade naturally, the seeds will develop atop the stem, when mature it turns paper-bag brown. Remove the seed cluster and allot it to dry for about a week before crumbling. Seeds are quite small and light tan. Seed and chaff are traded together.
...See More
butterflyman
13 years ago
Mine easily reseed themselves outside and I dig up the seedlings to share with others. Usually for safety sake I like to put 50% outside and 50% start inside, but once you get this plant going you won't have to buy seed again.

Some of the plants also will overwinter here in St. Louis.
Mary Leek
13 years ago
I haven't yet seen any new seedlings sprouting in my 7b area of central Arkansas but the two small groupings I planted last summer overwintered and are growing strong this spring. I didn't expect them to overwinter so am very pleasantly surprised ... we had single digit nights this past winter! I've already pinched out the tops in order to have more blooming 'sticks'. The little flying creatures loved this plant last summer so I will never again be without this in my butterfly garden. I'm also hoping to soon see some self seeded plants.

Mary
luvahydrangea
13 years ago
Mary, when do you pinch them? As I mentioned, its my first time growing this plant. My seedlings are about two inches tall at the moment and have about 6 leaves. And how much do you pinch off?

Thanks,
Maria
butterflymomok
13 years ago
The secret to this plant is getting it going. Just like Butterflyman said, once you have it, you have it! We had temps dip to a record low -22 this winter. Yesterday when I was out looking at the plants, I noticed the Verbena bonariensis was already coming back up! It also spreads--so give it room.

sandy
murray_2008
13 years ago
I can verify also that once you have it, you have it. We had a lot of serious frosts this winter and some of the verbenas are already blooming. The problem I have is with mildew. These plants like fast draining soil and here we have heavy clay so the beds need to be amended. The mildew doesn't seem to actually kill the plants but it does look nasty. I am using amendments everywhere because many of my plants like better draining soils but it is a lot of work for an old man. Good planting for all of you. Murray
mcronin
13 years ago
Murray,

How about posting some recent pictures of your wonderful garden?

mike
jardineratx
13 years ago
I purchased a small verbena b. plant about 10 years ago and it has been in my garden ever since,thanks to the fact that it is a reliable self-seeder. I love this plant!
Molly
{{gwi:457551}}
Mary Leek
13 years ago
Mary, when do you pinch them? As I mentioned, its my first time growing this plant. My seedlings are about two inches tall at the moment and have about 6 leaves. And how much do you pinch off?
Thanks,
Maria
------------------------
Hi Maria,

This is my first spring with these plants returning so I'm not certain what is correct. I pinched the top out of the spring growth when it was about 6 inches tall. I looked today and there are already new shoots growing from the leaf nodes of each pinched shoot. This will hopefully result in more tall 'sticks'. When you judge the time is right, simply pinch out the growing tip. New growth should then appear at the leaf nodes below the pinched out top.

I also winter sowed two more containers of this plant this year to add to another area of the garden.

Mary
murray_2008
13 years ago
I never considered pinching these plants but I guess I can try it. I planted two new ones today that I saw at a local nursery and because I wanted some to come up in a particular place.

Mike, believe it or not I still can't figure out how to post pics. I am really challenged when it comes to this kind of stuff. One of these days when my son-in-law is here for a visit, I will see if he can show me. One thing he does that trips me up is he goes through explaining things too fast and I get embarrassed about admitting that I didn't get it. But I will try to overcome that personal flaw. Thanks for the complement though. Murray
catherinet
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks everyone.
I grew a bunch of these one year (plants from a nursery), and they never came back. :( Maybe I should mulch them over the winter next time? They sure are lovely plants.
cheerpeople
13 years ago
I started mine from seed. They self sow reliably year after year n my zone 5 garden. I don't do any work to plant or pinch them.
A good annual.