Verbena

The plant has been known since ancient times, mentions of it are often found in ancient Greek and Roman texts due to the decorativeness and aroma of flowers. In the Middle Ages and even in later times, it was used as a medicinal product. The genus Verbena (Verbena) unites about 250 species of annual herbaceous plants or perennial shrubs, usually used in curbs and flower beds. Flowers, sometimes fragrant, are collected in compact inflorescences. The most common species is the Buenos Aires verbena (Verbena bonariensis), native to South America; reaches a height of 1.5 m, blooms from June to September; flowers are large enough, 5-8 cm in diameter, lavender in color; suitable for high curbs. Verbena hard (V. rigida) blooms from July to October, it has compact umbellate inflorescences, consisting of small nail-like flowers of pink-purple color. The variety 'White' has white flowers. In height, it grows up to 40-50 cm, it can "flourish" even on the sea coast. Verbena canadensis (V. canadensis) is a perennial species, grown as an annual, blooms in summer, suitable for flower beds, where it reaches 30-40 cm in height. White, pink or mallow flowers bloom in summer. Peruvian verbena (V. peruviana) is smaller than other species - no more than 15 cm. Its appearance and stability make it especially suitable for rockeries. Quite small flowers of scarlet color bloom from June to October. Verbena hybrid (V. hybrida) is a herbaceous perennial, from which most of the hybrids and varieties used today for cultivation in flower beds and borders are obtained. These hybrids, varieties and cultivars with white, pink, red, blue and lilac flowers are constantly on sale at horticultural centers. Verbena hybrid can be used for cutting.

The plant has been known since ancient times, mentions of it are often found in ancient Greek and Roman texts due to the decorativeness and aroma of flowers. In the Middle Ages and even in later times, it was used as a medicinal product.

The genus Verbena (Verbena) unites about 250 species of annual herbaceous plants or perennial shrubs, usually used in curbs and flower beds. Flowers, sometimes fragrant, are collected in compact inflorescences. The most common species is the Buenos Aires verbena (Verbena bonariensis), native to South America; reaches a height of 1.5 m, blooms from June to September; flowers are large enough, 5-8 cm in diameter, lavender in color; suitable for high curbs.

Verbena hard (V. rigida) blooms from July to October, it has compact umbellate inflorescences, consisting of small nail-like flowers of pink-purple color. The variety 'White' has white flowers. In height, it grows up to 40-50 cm, it can "flourish" even on the sea coast. Verbena canadensis (V. canadensis) is a perennial species, grown as an annual, blooms in summer, suitable for flower beds, where it reaches 30-40 cm in height. White, pink or mallow flowers bloom in summer.

Peruvian verbena (V. peruviana) is smaller than other species - no more than 15 cm. Its appearance and stability make it especially suitable for rockeries. Quite small flowers of scarlet color bloom from June to October.

Verbena hybrid (V. hybrida) is a herbaceous perennial, from which most of the hybrids and varieties used today for cultivation in flower beds and borders are obtained. These hybrids, varieties and cultivars with white, pink, red, blue and lilac flowers are constantly on sale at horticultural centers.

Verbena hybrid can be used for cutting.

Cultivation

Verbena species are usually grown outdoors, but can also be grown in pots or boxes on terraces and balconies. It is planted on a flower bed in April-May in fertile soil enriched with organic matter, pinching the main shoot on each young specimen to obtain dense plants. Buenos Aires verbena and tough verbena can tolerate winters outdoors, but must be covered with straw, leaves, or sand, or removed from the ground in October and stored in humus-filled boxes indoors. They are planted outdoors again in April. Peruvian verbena can withstand winter outdoors, but at the end of autumn the soil must be mulched.

Location

Plants prefer sunny and above all well-ventilated a place.

Temperature

The optimum temperature is in the range 15-22 °C.

Watering

In the spring and summer, watered abundantly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Transplant

Transplanting into a new pot is carried out mainly in the spring in 14-16 cm pots, or plants are transplanted from containers into boxes, flower beds and flower beds. Potting soil should be 1/3 of peat, 1/3 of garden soil and 1/3 of sand.

Care

For the plant to bloom again, you need to regularly remove wilted inflorescences.

Reproduction

Verbena species are grown in seedlings. Seeds are sown from January to March in boxes with humified light soil. Crops are covered with a very thin layer of humus and placed for germination in a protected place at a temperature of 18-20 ° C. Young plants are transplanted into pots or mesh containers, and when they have formed, they are planted in a permanent place. Verbena can also be propagated by cuttings; shoots 5-6 cm long are taken from a well-developed plant and planted to take root in peat and sand. Cuttings, when they are sufficiently rooted, are transplanted into pots or flower beds. Verbena Buenos Aires and tough verbena are also propagated by dividing the bush in April.

Verbena species are grown in seedlings. Seeds are sown from January to March in boxes with humified light soil.

Crops are covered with a very thin layer of humus and placed for germination in a protected place at a temperature of 18-20 ° C. Young plants are transplanted into pots or mesh containers, and when they have formed, they are planted in a permanent place.

Verbena can also be propagated by cuttings; shoots 5-6 cm long are taken from a well-developed plant and planted to take root in peat and sand.

Cuttings, when they are sufficiently rooted, are transplanted into pots or flower beds. Verbena Buenos Aires and tough verbena are also propagated by dividing the bush in April.

Diseases

The increased humidity of the environment favors the appearance of powdery mildew, which is disposed of by treating the plant with an appropriate preparation or sulfur. Decay of the root collar and roots periodically occurs if water stagnates in the pot or garden soil. Make sure to water frequently, but not excessively. Of the pests, the most dangerous and most often attackers

The increased humidity of the environment favors the appearance of powdery mildew, which is disposed of by treating the plant with an appropriate preparation or sulfur. Decay of the root collar and roots periodically occurs if water stagnates in the pot or garden soil. Make sure to water frequently, but not excessively.

Of the pests, the most dangerous and most often attackers

Acquisition

Young plants in cups or honeycomb containers are sold at horticultural centers from the end of March. Check that the plant is bushy, with no extended shoots, and no signs of pest damage. The leaves should be large and uniform in color.