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Oklahoma Gardening

Perennial Verbena

Outlaw_Gardener

18 years ago

Hey all! Hope your summer is off to a great start...

My question is in regards to perennial verbena. I want to plant some verbena in the front of my mixed shrub bed for some added color. Does anyone know of a red perennial verbena that will do as well as Homestead purple verbena? I live in Marlow which is in the south central part of the state. I asked a salesperson at TLC about this while I was in OKC yesterday and she said she was unaware of a red one that would overwinter in Oklahoma.

If you are growing verbena... What has been your experience with it? What varieties would you recommend? Is it too late to plant verbena this year?

Rodney

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Comments (9)

enchantedplace
18 years ago
The only verbena that has overwintered for us has been the homestead purple that we started from divisions from a wild area. It has survived for several years. It blooms continually thru the summer. EP
okprairie
18 years ago
Rodney, I just planted red verbena in my window boxes a couple of weeks ago, and it's doing great. Even bought it from Lowe's clearance rack. I would think you could still plant it if you can find plants and if you baby it a bit until it's established.

This is my 1st experience with any kind of verbena, so that's the extent of my wisdom.
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It's such a drag when stores don't put the plant's Latin name on the plant tags. There's a plant called American blue vervain (Verbena hastata) that's actually a perennial, and it's hardy all the way up to Zone 3. Hoary vervain (Verbena stricta) is another U.S. native that's also perennial and hardy to Zone 4. Narrowleaf vervain (Verbena simplex) is a perennial species that is reported to grow wild in Ohio. There are several other U.S. native Verbenas that are native to more southern and southwestern areas of the U.S., so may not survive the winter in your area, and would be considered annuals in your case. There's also Tall Verbena (Verbena bonariensis) which is native to South America, and is only hardy to Zone 7 in the U.S.A. Hopefully your Verbena is American blue vervain, Narrowleaf vervain, or Hoary vervain, and it will return to your garden next year!
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Hi growitnow...most of those (and most of the verbenas sold on the market) are the trailing type...usually get a foot or so tall...and 2-3 feet spread. I love most of them, but if you are looking for something different, try verbena bonariensis...you've probably seen them all over, they have become more and more popular over the years. Also, not sure of your climate for sure, but threre is verbena lilacina, a california native that forms a small shrub (about 2x3 feet) of finely disected leaves and lovely lavender flowers off and on all summer...hardy to about 20Â°. Also, there is verbena ridiga...which is more upright, but a bit more open and sprawling. If you want a good spreader, though, homestead purple is great...although High Country Gardens introduced an heirloom verbena with better cold-tolerance this year called "Annie" i think...it looks just like the variety my gran used to grow back in Nebraska and was practically a weed...but i never saw that variety anywhere other than her farm...i always assumed it was some crazy chance hybrid...one thing is for sure, you can rarely go wrong with verbena...they practically thrive on neglect.
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Maryl (Okla. Zone 7a)
18 years ago
Verbena Sissinhurst has overwintered 60% of the time in my northeastern Oklahoma location. However it's not all that expensive to replace from Bluestone Perennials, and it begins blooming almost immediately in hot weather. It's more a deep hot pink rather then red, but it's one of the best Verbena's I've ever tried. I've never seen mildew on it either.
susanlynne48
18 years ago
My neighbor gardener grows the Homestead Purple as well. Isn't there a species verbena, bonariensis, or something, though, that is either perennial, or self-sows?

Susan
Okiedawn OK Zone 7
18 years ago
Susan,

I have the species verbena which is verbena bonariensis. It either self-sows or is perennial (or maybe both?) and does quite well here. It is a tall verbena though. Mine are in the 4' range. The butterflies do love it.

Dawn

Here is a link that might be useful: verbena bonariensis
sarab
18 years ago
I love the verbena bonariensis that Dawn gave me at the plant swap. I hope they self-sow with abandon!

sara
Okiedawn OK Zone 7
18 years ago
Hi Sara!

I am thrilled they are growing well for you and hope that they self-sow for you too! But, be careful what you wish for.

I didn't deadhead those plants diligently last year, and this year I bet I pulled up at least a thousand seedlings that I didn't have the space to keep! (To keep them somewhat under control, I usually deadhead them until mid-August or early September, and then I let them set seed.)

What few butterflies I am having this year simply love this plant, and so do the bees. One reason I think I have so many bees and all my veggies get pollinated is that the bees come for these verbenas and then stick around and pollinate everything else while they are here. Neighbors who live as close to me as 1/4 mile are complaining that they have no bees and their veggies aren't pollinating. Guess I need to offer them some verbena seedlings next spring!

Dawn
Outlaw_Gardener
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks to all for the follow-ups....

It looks like I will be planting Homestead purple. I really wanted something red but, I like the purple too. I certainly don't want to have to replant each year and it sound like with Homestead it will be back each year.I think I will wait till next spring to plant though. Thanks again for the discussion....
Rodney
susanlynne48
18 years ago
...unless you can pick up the Sissinghurst, which is supposed to be a brilliant fuchsia color.

Susan

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