Vervain Verbena (Verbena rigida) is a hardy heirloom flower that brings vibrant color and pollinator activity to gardens from zone 8. This compact beauty grows 12-24 inches tall and blooms reliably from summer through fall, reaching full flower production 98-112 days from seed. Once established, it shrugs off drought and deer alike, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners seeking season-long color without constant fussing.
1
Full Sun
Moderate
8-8
24in H x 18in W
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Moderate
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This heirloom verbena germinates slowly and deliberately, sometimes taking up to 60 days, but patience rewards you with a plant that thrives in full sun and moderate water. Its drought tolerance and deer resistance mean you can plant it and largely forget it once it's settled in. The extended bloom window from June through November keeps flowers coming when you need them most, and its compact 12-18 inch spread makes it easy to fit into garden schemes without overwhelming surrounding plants.
Vervain Verbena is grown primarily as an ornamental flower for garden beds and borders. Its compact habit and extended summer-to-fall bloom period make it well-suited to pollinator gardens, where its flowers attract bees and butterflies throughout the season.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost date. Keep soil at 65-75°F in complete darkness; Vervain Verbena requires darkness to germinate. Germination typically occurs within 14-60 days. If seeds haven't sprouted after four weeks, chill them in the refrigerator for two weeks, then return to warmth to break dormancy. This cold period mimics natural winter conditions and often coaxes reluctant seeds to life.
Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before transplanting. Move them to the garden after the last frost date when soil has warmed. Space plants 1 inch apart.
Direct sowing is not recommended for this variety due to slow and unreliable germination outdoors.
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