The Verbena family is a wonderful group of plants. They come in such a variety of colours and forms from small low growing plants to giants of border fillers, both annual and perennial I think there is a Verbena for everyone. They are a very drought resistant plant and they enjoy full to partial sun and a well- drained soil. When planted in the shade flowering performance reduces dramatically and they become susceptible to diseases like mildew.
Verbena has long been used in natural medicine and is known to aid digestion and insomnia. It’s most striking feature however has got to be it’s ability to attract butterflies into the garden, they have an open flat flower which butterflies adore.
I love Verbena used in hanging baskets, there are two ranges to consider, the Verbena Lanai Series and the Verbena Empress Series. Both are trailing varieties and come in a wonderful range of colours from white to pink and purples to red and even stripped. It is important to keep them regularly dead-headed as they can get a little straggly. They are not hungry plants so strong feeding is not recommended, a light feeding around once a month should suffice. These varieties are not hardy although mine pulled through last winter which was exceptionally mild.
Of the perennial forms of Verbena I have two firm favorites, Verbena rigida Venosa is a smaller version of my other favourite Verbena bonariensis. Venosa has more dense flowerheads and will flower for months on end and has a sweet delicate fragrance. Bonariensis is a tall graceful plant suitable for the back of the border and flowers later in the summer.
Prices from €3.99
See the latest plant offers at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion.
Best wishes,
Marianne Caplice
Horticulturalist, Powerscourt Garden Pavilion
I love Verbena used in hanging baskets, there are two ranges to consider, the Verbena Lanai Series and the Verbena Empress Series. Both are trailing varieties and come in a wonderful range of colours from white to pink and purples to red and even stripped. It is important to keep them regularly dead-headed as they can get a little straggly. They are not hungry plants so strong feeding is not recommended, a light feeding around once a month should suffice. These varieties are not hardy although mine pulled through last winter which was exceptionally mild.
Of the perennial forms of Verbena I have two firm favorites, Verbena rigida Venosa is a smaller version of my other favourite Verbena bonariensis. Venosa has more dense flowerheads and will flower for months on end and has a sweet delicate fragrance. Bonariensis is a tall graceful plant suitable for the back of the border and flowers later in the summer.
Prices from €3.99
See the latest plant offers at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion.
Best wishes,
Marianne Caplice
Horticulturalist, Powerscourt Garden Pavilion 
