Talkback: Growing Verbena bonariensis from seed

here here lazy daze.. i agree.. dont need parking.

V.B. are not too fussy about soil. Once established and happy they will self seed everywhere.  I have grown them from seed and taken cuttings. Which I needn't have done as they are so prolific I have to weed them out now.

i have just got hold of some small rigida ones that only grow about 2ft..so looking forward to them self seeding everywhere..

I love this plant!  It never stays longer than one season in my garden, and never seeds itself, alas, so I usually buy half a dozen new plants every year - not too expensive as they're in small pots and classed as annuals.  This year I decided to have a go from seed in the hope of getting more plants for less money!  They're in my coldframe and not actually doing much!  I think 2 seeds have germinated so far and they've been in there for weeks!  Are they known to be slow to germinate, or is it just too cold here in snowy Aberdeenshire?  Should I continue to hope, or go to the garden centre and buy my usual half dozen grown plants?

I grew some of these from seed last year and they did not germinate as quickly as expected.  They took so long I had practically forgotten about them when I noticed they had suddenly all come through.  They did take a long time to germinate but were totally worth it, they even survived our harsh winter so I'm looking forward to some stunning flowers this year.  Don't give up!

i started mine off inthe greenhouse.. a bit of warmth.. and they did well.. they normally come back every ear but htis year htey are not so good.. so maybe need to grow some more.. and they didtn self seed in my garden.. but lady down road..they grow everywhere.. it is strange.

I grew mine from a packet of free seeds early on in spring in and unheated but bubble wrapped green house. Germination was slow but I know have a dozen strong little plants which have been potted on and are waiting to go out in the garden - if the weather ever warms up!! However I am wondering whether to pinch out the growing tops as I can see side shoots down the stem. Anyone have any advice on this?

I agree germination of these is slow but I have done them a few times now and ended up with so many I have been giving them away. They take really easily and I do get self seeded ones - if the winter isn't too harsh. I love them ! I was a bit doubtful when I read all the tosh on the seed packet about its requirements but just shoved them in my greenhouse -unheated and hey presto. Hope they do well for you.

I too have grown these from seed very successfully and have then had them pop up all over the garden (and in the containers). Perhaps it depends which part of the country you're in. 

Having moved house and left my established plants behind I found some scruffy left-overs in a garden centre "reduced for quick sale" section and snapped up three large pots for 50p each. With a bit of tlc I thus have a fine clump in my border.

I have a load of these in a seed tray from last years plant, but they've stayed tiny since about easter. Am I being an idiot leaving them where they are (no protection from the elements and slight protection from mice/slugs/snails) and should I move them somewhere much nicer?

Think I've answered my own question actually...

Thanks figrat. I shall leve well alone. 

I love this verbena ahd some seeds and they are now grown into lovely plants. So lovely the slugs are eating them. I cut the bottom out of plastic flower pot and put it on the soil around the plant then put slug pellets inside. The cats cant get to them that way and any slug or snail that cereeps in and dies doesnt get eaten by the birds. Well thats the theory anyway it seems to work

I took cutting from mine last year, Sept/Oct time, just pull out some little side shoots, put in sandy compost in the greenhouse, I have about a dozen plants now.