Description
These flowers will very prettily seed themselves around so once you have them they are usually happy to return!
Blooms July to frost. Also known as purple top verbena, tall verbena, South American vervain.
Recommended to sow indoors 6-12 weeks before transplanting out.
Pre-treatment. Seeds will germinate quicker if they receive cold/moist stratification before planting ,to mimic spring like temperatures, or vernalization. There are two methods – either place the seeds with a little moistened medium in a plastic bag and place in the fridge for 2-4 weeks, then sow as usual. (or place the entire tray in the cold)
or
Sow very finely, just cover with a sprinkling of soil (1/16th”). Placing seed trays on a heat mat during the day and remove at night will also encourage germination. Alternating temperatures between 60°F (16°C) at night and 86°F (30°C) during the day helps to break dormancy.
Keep moist but do not saturate, seed is slow to germinate- keep growing medium on the dry side until emergence. Germination is erratic, around 14 to 28 days, but may take up to 90 days to finish germinating (especially if seeds haven’t experienced cold stratification).
Harden off & transplant outside after the last frost 30-45cm (12-18″) apart. This variety will bloom in the first year from an indoor start and will usually self sow. Nature sprinkles the seeds about in the fall and they do just fine! Great for winter sowing projects!
Harvest flowers for bouquets when the outer 2-4 layers of flowers are open. USES: Fresh cut flower, borders, beds, containers, and mass plantings
Perennial in Zones 7-10 but can be grown as an annual Zones 3-10. It will sometimes overwinter here in Zone 5 with lots of snow cover or mulch for protection.
Open Pollinated. Sun. Days to Maturity 90
Approx 100 seeds
Michelle (verified owner) –
First year growing these and I love them. Took a while to germinate but have grown so well. At least 4 foot high, branching with the most beautiful long lasting flowers. Still flowering now (September 30) despite a few nighttime frost. Absolutely maintainable free. I live in Alberta and this plant has attracted butterflies, bumblebees and hoverflies. The hummingbird that regularly visited our yard also found it intriguing. Love this plant and will grow it every summer from now on.
Bonnie (verified owner) –
I planted verbena bonariensis two years ago when we moved to BC. Our soil here is scruffy, rocky and nutrient deficient. It has self seeded happily and looks beautiful with the Russian sage planted with it. Flowered until we got the first snowfall in October