Garden verbena is a short-lived perennial grown as an annual in most climates, prized for its profuse clusters of five-petaled flowers that bloom from late spring through fall. In zones 9-10 it can survive winters outdoors, but gardeners elsewhere treat it as a reliable warm-season bloomer reaching 9-18 inches tall and spreading 12-24 inches wide. The flowers come in blue, violet, purple, rose, dark red, yellow, white, and bicolor combinations, with some varieties offering fragrance. These compact plants thrive in full sun and heat, making them tough performers even during dry spells.
Full Sun
Moderate
9-10
18in H x 24in W
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High
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Garden verbena erupts into color from May through October with minimal fussing, tolerating both heat and drought once established. The small rounded flower clusters attract butterflies and hummingbirds while staying neat and tidy on low, spreading plants. You can start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost, or simply grab nursery six-packs in spring for instant impact. Best flowering happens in full sun with well-drained soil and occasional deep watering rather than constant sprinkling.
Garden verbena is grown primarily for ornamental display in flower beds, borders, containers, and hanging baskets. The showy flower clusters provide continuous color throughout the growing season and are valued as pollinator magnets in gardens where butterflies and hummingbirds are welcome visitors.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last spring frost date. This timing gives seedlings enough maturity to transplant outdoors after frost danger passes.
Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for a week before planting. Transplant outdoors after your last spring frost date when soil has warmed. Space plants 12-24 inches apart in full sun and well-drained soil.
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“Garden verbena is a hybrid (Verbena × hybrida) born from the crossing of several South American verbena species, developed over generations by gardeners and plant breeders seeking compact, floriferous plants with intense color and garden durability. Unlike the sprawling wild verbenas of the meadow, these hybrids were selected specifically for the intense flower production and manageable size that makes them garden staples today.”