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Verbena Seeds - Purpletop Vervain
About...
Verbena (Verbena Bonariensis) - Commonly called Purpletop Vervain, this is one of the best flowering perennials for attracting butterflies, and in particular the Tiger Swallowtail. Easily grown from Verbena seeds, this is a long-blooming, drought tolerant plant that is extremely easy to grow.MORE VERBENA OPTIONS
Groundcover Specifications
SEASON
Perennial
USDA ZONES
7 - 11
HEIGHT
36 - 48 inches
BLOOM SEASON
Summer
BLOOM COLOR
Purple
ENVIRONMENT
Full sun
SOIL TYPE
Well-drained, pH 5.8 - 7.2
DEER RESISTANT
Yes
FOLIAGE COLOR
Gray-green
Planting Directions
TEMPERATURE
70 - 75F
AVERAGE GERM TIME
14 - 28 days
LIGHT REQUIRED
No
DEPTH
Cover seed lightly with peat moss
SOWING RATE
4 - 5 seeds per plant
MOISTURE
Keep seeds moist until germination
PLANT SPACING
24 inches
CARE & MAINTENANCE
The Verbena Is...
One of the best flowering perennials for attracting butterflies, particularly the Tiger Swallowtail.
Verbena Seeds | Purpletop Vervain
How to Grow
Brazilian Verbena seeds can be sown directly outdoors into prepared seedbeds. Late fall sowing is recommended as the Verbena seeds respond well to cold temperatures. If Purpletop Vervain seeds are planted in the spring, a cold treatment needs to be done before planting. To do this, dampen a paper towel, spread the Verbena seeds on the towel and carefully roll the towel up. Place the damp towel with the seeds in a ziploc bag and seal it. Place the bag with the flower seeds into the refrigerator for 4 weeks.
- Sowing Rate: 4 - 5 seeds per plant
- Depth: Cover seed lightly with peat moss
Groundcover Specifications
After the cold treatment, the seeds can be started in the spring or even indoors.
- Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination
- Average Germ Time: 14 - 28 days
- Plant Spacing: 24 inches
- Height: 36 - 48 inches
- USDA Zones: 7 - 11
- Season: Perennial
Verbena (Verbena Bonariensis) - Commonly called Purpletop Vervain, this is one of the best flowering perennials for attracting butterflies, and in particular the Tiger Swallowtail. Easily grown from Verbena seeds, this is a long-blooming, drought tolerant plant that is extremely easy to grow. The rosy-violet flowers are tiny and extremely profuse. The flower clusters are held on long strong stems. This variety has been called Verbena on a stick! It is also referred to as Brazilian Verbena and Upright Verbena.
Upright Verbena Bonariensis grows best in full sun, and it is fairly drought tolerant. It can grow well in a variety of soil types from loam to clay. Brazilian Verbena plants can re-seed by dropping its flower seeds in the late bloom period. Deadhead the spent flowers if re-seeding is not desired. Purpletop Verbena has been found in such habitats as fields, roadsides, weedy meadows, and other disturbed areas. It also makes a stunning addition to the flower garden or border. It is fairly resistant to both deer and rabbits.
Brazilian Verbena seeds can be sown directly outdoors into prepared seedbeds. Late fall sowing is recommended as the Verbena seeds respond well to cold temperatures. If Purpletop Vervain seeds are planted in the spring, a cold treatment needs to be done before planting. Dampen a paper towel, spread the Verbena seeds on the towel and carefully roll the towel up. Place the damp towel with the seeds in a ziploc bag and seal it. Place the bag with the flower seeds into the refrigerator for 4 weeks. After the cold treatment, the seeds can be started in the spring or even indoors.
Approximately 113,500 seeds per ounce.
Common Questions
How long do verbena plants live?
When cultivated as perennials, verbenas typically have a short lifespan, often lasting only two to three years. However, if you are growing a species type instead of a hybrid, these plants can self-seed freely, potentially establishing themselves in such a way that they seem to thrive indefinitely.
How is this plant used in landscaping?
Verbenas thrive in sunny conditions and make excellent companion plants for other sun-loving varieties such as coneflowers, coreopsis, lamb's ear, phlox, and petunias. Hybrid annual verbenas are known for their consistent blooming and are often used in pots or as bedding plants in gardens. They can be planted in groups or positioned as front-edging plants, where their sprawling nature is particularly advantageous. Many hybrids exhibit a trailing growth habit, making them ideal for hanging baskets, rock gardens, or gracefully cascading over short retaining walls. Some varieties spread out, effectively covering ground in sunny locations.
My plants are getting leggy, what do I do?
When verbenas become leggy and sparse, it may indicate that the plant is reaching out for more light. Ensure that the plant gets a minimum of six hours of sunlight daily. If sunlight isn't the problem, consider pruning it back significantly and providing nourishment. This combination of pruning and feeding should encourage robust new growth and an abundance of blooms.
How can I encourage more blooms?
Deadhead your spent flowers to encourage a longer bloom season.
Can I grow in containers?
Verbena is often seen in hanging baskets combined with various flowers, serving as excellent "spillers" that cascade over the edges of the container. For container planting, any general-purpose potting mix can be used in well-draining containers of any material. Additionally, if verbena is growing in the ground, you can pot it up for indoor overwintering. Typically grown as annuals, potted verbenas generally do not need repotting and should be discarded at the end of the growing season. Perennial verbenas have a relatively short lifespan of two to three growing seasons and are not ideal as permanent houseplants. However, potted verbenas can be classified as warm-climate perennials, allowing you to bring them indoors to continue growing during winter. If you choose to move them inside, trim them back by one-third before the transition and place them in a spot that receives ample sunlight.
Groundcover Specifications
SEASON
Annual
USDA ZONES
3 - 10
HEIGHT
10 - 16 inches
WIDTH
12 inches
BLOOM SEASON
Late Spring to frost
BLOOM COLOR
Mix
ENVIRONMENT
Full to partial sun
SOIL TYPE
Well-drained, pH 5.8 - 7.2
DEER RESISTANT
Yes
AAS WINNER
2024
Planting Directions
TEMPERATURE
65 - 70F
AVERAGE GERM TIME
7 - 12 days
LIGHT REQUIRED
No
DEPTH
1/4 inch
SOWING RATE
2 - 3 seeds per plant
MOISTURE
Keep seeds moist until germination
PLANT SPACING
12 inches
Moss Verbena Sweetheart Kisses (Verbena Tenuisecta) - Kiss your summer worries goodbye with Sweetheart Kisses Verbena! This low-growing wonder, praised by AAS judges for its vibrant red, rose, pink, and a hint of white blooms, adds instant charm to any garden. Delicate, airy foliage (tenuisecta means “thinly cut”) forms a soft cushion, setting the stage for an explosion of color that lasts all season long. Sweetheart Kisses thrives in sun-drenched days and dry spells. Plant this versatile plant in the ground, let it grow as a stunning groundcover, or fill your containers with its cheerful blooms. And the best part? Sweetheart Kisses is a breeze to grow!
Start from seed and in just 55 days, your garden will be buzzing with butterflies and bees, all drawn to its irresistible nectar. So, give your garden a kiss of summer magic with ‘Sweetheart Kisses’ Verbena. It’s easy, eye-catching, and loved by pollinators.
2024 AAS Flower Winner. Kiss your summer worries goodbye with Sweetheart Kisses Verbena! This low-growing wonder, praised by AAS judges for its vibrant red, rose, pink, and a hint of white blooms, adds instant charm to any garden. Delicate, airy foliage (tenuisecta means "thinly cut") forms a soft cushion, setting the stage for an explosion of color that lasts all season long. Sweetheart Kisses thrives in sun-drenched days and dry spells. Plant this versatile plant in the ground, let it grow as a stunning groundcover, or fill your containers with its cheerful blooms. And the best part? Sweetheart Kisses is a breeze to grow! Start from seed and in just 55 days, your garden will be buzzing with butterflies and bees, all drawn to its irresistible nectar. So, give your garden a kiss of summer magic with 'Sweetheart Kisses' Verbena. It's easy, eye-catching, and loved by pollinators, What more could you ask for?
Common Questions
How long do verbena plants live?
When cultivated as perennials, verbenas typically have a short lifespan, often lasting only two to three years. However, if you are growing a species type instead of a hybrid, these plants can self-seed freely, potentially establishing themselves in such a way that they seem to thrive indefinitely.
How is this plant used in landscaping?
Verbenas thrive in sunny conditions and make excellent companion plants for other sun-loving varieties such as coneflowers, coreopsis, lamb's ear, phlox, and petunias. Hybrid annual verbenas are known for their consistent blooming and are often used in pots or as bedding plants in gardens. They can be planted in groups or positioned as front-edging plants, where their sprawling nature is particularly advantageous. Many hybrids exhibit a trailing growth habit, making them ideal for hanging baskets, rock gardens, or gracefully cascading over short retaining walls. Some varieties spread out, effectively covering ground in sunny locations.
My plants are getting leggy, what do I do?
When verbenas become leggy and sparse, it may indicate that the plant is reaching out for more light. Ensure that the plant gets a minimum of six hours of sunlight daily. If sunlight isn't the problem, consider pruning it back significantly and providing nourishment. This combination of pruning and feeding should encourage robust new growth and an abundance of blooms.
How can I encourage more blooms?
Deadhead your spent flowers to encourage a longer bloom season.
Can I grow in containers?
Verbena is often seen in hanging baskets combined with various flowers, serving as excellent "spillers" that cascade over the edges of the container. For container planting, any general-purpose potting mix can be used in well-draining containers of any material. Additionally, if verbena is growing in the ground, you can pot it up for indoor overwintering. Typically grown as annuals, potted verbenas generally do not need repotting and should be discarded at the end of the growing season. Perennial verbenas have a relatively short lifespan of two to three growing seasons and are not ideal as permanent houseplants. However, potted verbenas can be classified as warm-climate perennials, allowing you to bring them indoors to continue growing during winter. If you choose to move them inside, trim them back by one-third before the transition and place them in a spot that receives ample sunlight.
Groundcover Specifications
SEASON
Perennial
USDA ZONES
5 - 9
HEIGHT
8 inches
BLOOM SEASON
Spring through fall
BLOOM COLOR
Violet
ENVIRONMENT
Full sun to partial shade
SOIL TYPE
Well-drained, pH 5.8 - 7.2
DEER RESISTANT
Yes
Planting Directions
TEMPERATURE
65F
AVERAGE GERM TIME
10 - 25 days
LIGHT REQUIRED
No
DEPTH
Do not cover the seed but press into the soil
SOWING RATE
Approximately 1000 verbena seeds covers 20 square feet
MOISTURE
Keep seeds moist until germination
PLANT SPACING
18 - 30 inches
Great with Pollinators
The butterflies cannot leave these Verbena plants alone!
Verbena Seeds | Canadensis
How to Grow
Verbena seeds can be sown directly outdoors into prepared seedbeds. Late fall sowing is recommended as these flower seeds respond well to cold temperatures. If the Verbena seeds are planted in the spring, a cold treatment needs to be done before planting. Dampen a paper towel, spread the flower seeds on the towel and carefully roll the towel up. Place the damp towel with the seeds in a ziploc bag and seal it. Place the bag with Verbena seeds into the refrigerator for 4 weeks.
- Depth: Do not cover the seed but press into the soil
- Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination
- Average Germ Time: 10 - 25 days
Groundcover Specifications
After the cold treatment, Verbena seed can be started in the spring or even indoors. Approximately 1,000 seeds covers 20 square feet.
- Plant Spacing: 18 - 30 inches
- Height: 8 inches
- USDA Zones: 5 - 9
- Season: Perennial
Verbena (Verbena Canadensis) - Starting Verbena seeds is a great way to establish this low-growing perennial that is commonly known as Rose Verbena, Homestead Verbena or Trailing Verbena. These easy-to-grow perennial ground cover plants have clusters of deep violet-rose colored blooms. Rose Verbena Canadensis is great in containers or hanging baskets. It thrives in sun and heat, but it will take some afternoon shade. Upright companions make a good contrast to the low-growing form of this Rose Verbena ground cover. It blooms spring to fall, and is ideal for a butterfly garden. Butterflies cannot leave Verbena plants alone.
Sow Verbena seeds directly outdoors onto a prepared seedbed. Fall plantings are recommended as the cold temperatures help to break the dormancy of the Verbena seeds. Verbena Canadensis care includes trimming back the plants when flowering becomes sparse to encourage fresh growth and flowers.